Whole-house approach to energy efficiency
We can help solve comfort problems or reduce your energy bills. When you sign up for an in-home energy-saving audit, an energy auditor makes an in-home visit and provides energy-efficiency suggestions to improve the comfort, durability, safety and affordability of your home. The energy auditor will:
- Analyze your home through a comprehensive “house as a system” energy-efficiency audit.
- Answer your specific questions about energy use in your home.
- Review your natural gas bill to understand how much energy your home uses. In some instances, as a result of electric utility partnerships, electric energy use also is evaluated.
- Provide recommendations and cost saving analysis, prioritized to show you where you’ll get the most savings for your investment.
Request an audit online
Questions?
800-376-0517
How the program works
Audit options
Standard audit
- Analyze your energy use.
- Give you information on energy-saving improvements with potential costs and estimated savings.
- Provide a blower door diagnostic test.
- Perform furnace, boiler and water heater safety tests.
- Installed improvements we provide. This may include energy efficiency showerheads, faucet aerators, pipe insulation, door sweeps and other weatherization items. This service is valued at $300; however, you only pay $75. Minnesota Energy Resources and, in some cases, the electric utility partner pays the remainder. This co-pay will be added to your natural gas bill. Low-income customers may participate in this program at no cost.
Performance audit
In addition to all of the services provided in the standard audit, the performance audit will also include:
- Infrared camera inspection to further pinpoint locations of heat losses and air leaks.
- Report via email with infrared camera pictures.
- Co-pay of $150 added to your natural gas bill.
Electric utility partnerships
We are partners with electric energy providers in various parts of our service area to provide joint natural gas and electric in-home energy audits. In areas served by these electric utilities, customers will receive a comprehensive gas and electric audit.
We also have a partnership with Rochester Public Utilities. Joint customers of Minnesota Energy Resources and Rochester Public Utilities can learn more about the Neighborhood Energy Challenge.
What specifically does each audit provide?
| Description |
Standard
$75 Co‑pay |
Performance
$150 Co‑pay |
| Discuss customer concerns and initial questions in an interview |
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| Review annual gas usage regarding heating, domestic hot water (DHW) and other uses of natural gas in your home |
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| Measure DHW temperature and adjust as necessary |
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| Check furnace filter and provide a reminder card with your filter size on it |
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| Assess heating system, water heater, and other gas appliance replacement and clean-n-tune options and needs |
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| Inspect the thermal envelope of your home, diagnose and provide recommendations for improvements to attics, sidewalls, windows/doors, etc. |
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| Deliver a written report including all appropriate documentation |
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| Provide fact sheets, rebate applications, financing options, 800#s and websites, tax credit information, etc. |
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| Perform a blower door diagnostics test to identify air leaks |
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| Perform furnace, boiler and water heater safety tests |
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| Perform an infrared scan to identify areas of heat loss through walls and attics. This test is weather dependent and is only available in the winter months. |
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| Provide an infrared diagnostic report with pictures and recommendations emailed to you |
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Which audit is best for you?
For some homes, our standard audit is sufficient. For others, there can be significant benefit in having a performance audit completed. If you have already had a standard audit and are still having energy efficiency or comfort issues in your home, a performance audit could be what you need. Or, if you notice two or more of the following in or around your home, our performance audit may be for you.
- Ice dams on the roof
- Moisture or frost in the attic
- Mold or moisture spots on interior walls
- Condensation on your windows
- Stains around ceiling exhaust fan(s)
- Cold spots in areas of the house
- Inadequate or older insulation
