If you missed Bloomington's free home energy checkup, you can still get one at a discount. The city paid the full cost of Home Energy Squad visits for residents who booked by Aug. 31. That deal has ended, but the Center for Energy and Environment, which runs the program, lists Bloomington pricing at $35 for an Energy Saver visit and $50 for an Energy Planner visit. Most residents elsewhere pay $70 and $100. Income-qualified households still pay nothing.
The free offer was announced Aug. 5. The city said that during a visit, energy experts evaluate your home and identify simple, practical ways to improve its efficiency, with the goal of cutting energy waste and lowering utility bills. Appointments were first-come, first-served, and residents booked through CEE online or by phone at 651-328-6220. The city's Sustainability Department, at 952-563-4862 or [email protected], still takes questions.
Here's what you get for the money. CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy fund Home Energy Squad, and CEE carries it out. More than 20 cities lower or waive the cost for their residents. A visit takes 2 to 3 hours. The auditor measures air leaks with diagnostic tools, checks insulation and the water heater, and installs LED bulbs, weatherstripping for doors and attic hatches, and a programmable or smart thermostat on the spot. The Energy Saver visit is meant for homes built in 2000 or later, condos, mobile homes and renters. Older homes get the Energy Planner visit. Households under 80% of area median income qualify for a free Energy Saver visit. For a single person, that means earning under $73,650. You can book on CEE's Home Energy Squad page or email [email protected].
CEE's Bloomington page also lists Home Energy Loans starting at 7% APR, home improvement loans starting at 6.875% APR, and a free Energy Advisor service to help people sort out bigger upgrades.
The free offer followed the city's annual home energy workshop, held 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 30 in the Black Box Theater at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road. A panel of experts covered making a home more energy efficient, planning for electrification and installing solar, and took questions from residents.
The city first announced the workshop June 30, promising a light dinner, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Public Works organized that event.
