5 Energy-Saving New Year's Resolutions for 2010

Think 2009 was a great year to make energy-efficiency upgrades to your home or business? 2010 may even be better.

Energy prices appear to be on the upswing, meaning cutting energy use may generate even bigger savings in the months ahead. What’s more, utility companies and federal and state governments are unveiling more-lucrative financial incentives for energy-efficiency in 2010, including federal-stimulus-funded grants, “cash for appliances” programs, and other new rebate programs for businesses. (We’ll detail these new incentives in the weeks ahead.)

Now's the time to develop a game plan for the next 12 months. Here, then, are five energy-saving New Year’s resolutions to get you started.

1. Focus on low-cost measures first. Before spending money to make serious energy investments, make sure you’re not overlooking simple ways to reduce your energy usage. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that behavioral changes (such as turning off lights) may account for up to 15% of energy savings. Some examples to consider: Turning off and unplugging equipment when it’s not in use, setting energy-saving mode on computers, and installing a programmable thermostat. Other cheap steps, such as installing LED exit signs, can spur nice energy savings.

2. Analyze your energy bills. One of the best ways to truly understand how your business or home consumes energy is carefully reviewing your monthly utility bills. Some free online programs, such as Microsoft Hohm, can help you analyze the data and make energy-saving recommendations.

3. Get an audit. Most utilities now offer no-cost or low-cost energy audits to business and residential customers, so there’s little excuse not to do it. An auditor will examine your equipment, facilities and energy usage and provide a detailed report of various upgrades and their estimated payback time and savings.

4. Check rebates and other financial incentives. There’s lots of financial help for energy upgrades these days, so make sure to find out what you might qualify for. Many utilities, for instance, offer rebates for installing efficient lights and heating and cooling systems. Many states and municipalities also offer incentives. (A friendly reminder: Energy Smart can help Minnesota businesses line up a certified auditor and figure out what incentives they qualify for.)

5. Make it fun. Face it: Keeping your energy-savings resolutions throughout the next 12 months may prove challenging, given the demands of daily life. But you’ll boost your odds if you make it fun and interesting. One idea: You might start a competition in your office or among family members to see who can save the most energy and chart your progress.

Do you have any other energy-saving resolutions for 2010? What steps have you taken to lower your energy costs?

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How to Claim Rebates for 2009 Energy Upgrades

If you made energy-saving upgrades to your business or home in 2009, you likely qualify for a rebate from your utility company. But don’t wait too long to find out – time may be running out to submit your application.


Many utilities offer rebates to business and residential customers for upgrades made in 2009, such as installing more-efficient lighting or heating and cooling systems and other energy-efficient equipment. The utilities often require that eligible customers fill out an application (usually available electronically on their web sites) that describes the upgrade, the make and model of the equipment purchased and details about the contractor who handled the work. They also require the customer to submit proof the upgrade happened, such as a signed invoice from the contractor.

Applications for 2009 rebates may be due soon: Xcel Energy requires its Minnesota business customers, for instance, to file their rebate application for energy-saving cooling equipment and lighting retrofits within 12 months of the installation’s invoice date. Other utilities set one application deadline for all 2009 upgrades, such as Jan. 31, 2010. (Keep in mind that some states also offer financial incentives such as tax rebates for energy upgrades that may carry their own deadlines.) You can generally find rebate application deadlines on the utilities’ web site where they describe their rebate programs.

Not sure if you qualify for a rebate? You can call your utility directly to inquire or check out this helpful state-by-state breakdown of financial incentives available for energy upgrades and renewables. Energy Smart can help businesses in Minnesota (at no charge) find out if they qualify for rebates and help them get the paperwork and information they need. (Contact us here.)

Did you make an energy upgrade in 2009? How easy was it to find rebate information?

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Minnesota Utilities Facing New Energy Conservation Law

Minnesota utility companies are facing an ambitious challenge: Under new state law, they will be required to reduce their energy retail sales by 1.5% annually starting in 2010. A policy forum held last week by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative looked at how this new state law – called the Next Generation Energy Act – will bring both great potential and some hurdles.

"People are starting to get it,” said panelist Dan York, acting director of utilities programs from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. (View York's slide presentation here.) With much of the world focusing on energy, energy efficiency is the area where real progress can be achieved, he said. U.S. states are starting to set their own energy conservation goals; Minnesota has stepped forward to make their goal of 1.5% annual savings official.

The panel included energy experts, utility representatives from CenterPoint, Great River Energy and Xcel Energy, and the business energy manager at Medtronic Inc. For the most part, the panel was optimistic that utilities could meet the 1.5% annual conservation goal with consumers’ help. (The state law will require that two-thirds of the 1.5% reduction will have to come from consumer energy savings, while the remaining third can come from utilities’ own production efficiencies.)

One hurdle for utilities, however, will be measuring customer energy savings, said Gary Connett from Great River Energy. They can measure expected energy savings when a business or consumer claims a rebate for an energy upgrade from them – but it’s much harder when the customers take steps to reduce energy usage without informing their utility. (Energy Smart is trying to solve this problem: We follow up with businesses we help and track of all sorts of energy changes they make – even low- and no-cost ones.)

To help meet the goal, utility representatives said they are looking at a variety of strategies, including offering more financial incentives, such as customer rebate programs, or giving better rates to customers who use electricity at off-peak hours. They also hope to educate customers on easy, no-cost ways to save energy. York estimates that 2% to 15% of energy conservation can come from consumers changing their behaviors.

A big part of achieving these goals will be making energy savings options easy and understandable for both consumers and businesses. Programs like Energy Smart help get the word out about rebates and other financial incentives and walk businesses and consumers through the process of reducing energy savings. It will also require that consumers see the vast financial and environmental benefits of reducing their energy usage.

(A shameless plug: If you need any help finding out what energy-efficiency incentives are available – would like a courtesy site walk-through, Energy Smart is happy to help! Give us a call: (651) 292-4653)

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7 Energy-Saving Holiday Gift Ideas

Christmas is a’ knocking, and you may need to rush to the store for some last-minute gifts. Why not make at least one of your holiday gifts eco-friendly?

We found many terrific green gift guides across the Internet, which you can find here, here and here. So we thought we’d focus specifically on gifts to help people cut their energy bills in the years ahead. (And hey, they’re great for the environment, too.) You can find most of these at stores in any area.

Here are seven energy-savings gift ideas:

1. Pressure cooker. These pots – great for preparing rice, beans, soups, and some meats -- use up to 70% less energy than regular pots and pans by sealing in hot air to quickly cook food. (So the best part: You get to eat sooner, too.)

2. High-efficiency lights. Need some stocking-stuffers? These bulbs use up to 75% less energy than regular incandescents – and they keep getting cheaper. (Target recently sold GE CFL light bulbs for 39-cents each on sale.) You can also find handy gadgets, such as highly efficient LED reading lamps and flashlights, that make for nice smaller gifts.

3. Ecobutton. Sold from the U.K., the Ecobutton hooks up to your computer via USB cable and allows you to put your computer in energy-savings mode by simply pushing the button (even if you just step away to grab a bite). Ecobuttons retail for about $24 (14.99 British pounds) plus shipping and handling off the U.K.-based site. A display on the button shows your carbon savings, your energy savings and your cash savings.

4. Home electricity monitor. One of the best ways to compel someone to save energy is giving them real-time feedback of how much they’re using and spending. A home-electricity monitor that tracks a home’s electricity usage by plugging into outlets or some other way can help. There are many different types out there, so first read up on how they work.

5. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Ok, so bathroom gadgets aren’t the sexiest gifts. But these can reduce water consumption by 50%, and thus, the energy used to heat water. Give a showerhead with a shut-off valve – for when they’re soaping up– and they’ll save even more.

6. Solar-powered gadgets. The number of solar-powered gizmos has exploded in recent years. You can now find solar-powered lights, cell phone and battery chargers, and solar backpacks. And what better way to teach kids about renewable energy than buying them a solar-powered toy?

7. Energy-savings guidebooks. You can find a treasure trove of good energy-savings ideas in books available online or at most book stores. Check out some good titles here and here.

(Oh, and don’t forget: Post-Christmas sales are the perfect time to buy energy-efficient holiday lights for next year at big discounts.)

Any other energy-savings gift ideas? Are you making a point to give any “green gifts” this year?

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LED Holiday Lights Offer Cool Savings

Most people know by now that using energy-efficient lights, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), will produce dramatic energy savings. But you may not realize how much can be saved by decorating with efficient lights for the holidays.

LED holiday lights – sold by most big-box retailers these days – use far less energy than the traditional incandescent holiday bulbs still widely used. According to the Department of Energy, decorating with LED holiday lights in place of traditional lights can cut energy costs for holiday lighting by up to 90%.

But what’s the real-world savings? Here’s a helpful example: Displaying LED lights on a six-foot tree for 12 hours a day over 40 days will amount to 56-cents in total electricity costs, the Energy Department estimates. That compares to $25.13 in total electric costs for stringing large incandescent holiday lights and $6.03 for mini incandescents. (Consider, then, the vast savings potential if decorating a whole house or business. One local Chamber of Commerce in Minnesota expected to save 73% in holiday lighting bills by using LED lights – or more than $3,000 annually.)

The design and variety of LED holiday lights are also quickly improving as more manufacturers see their marketability. You can now find LED lights shaped as colorful mini stars, snowmen and ones identical to traditional large and mini incandescent bulbs. (People with at least a few hours sun exposure outside their home or business may even consider solar holiday lights, which are showing up in stores now, too. Electric costs: Nothing.)

LEDs generally do cost more upfront. A recent quick search on Target.com found that a string of 200 mini white incandescents cost $10.19 on sale, compared with $11.99 for a string of 60 mini white LEDs. But considering the big savings on energy bills, that difference may be recouped in less than one holiday season of use. What’s more, LED lights can last up to 40 holiday seasons. And because they don’t heat up like incandescents, you needn’t worry about a fire hazard.

If you make the switch to LED, you may wonder what to do with your old lights. The Chamber’s Waste Wise program has partnered with the Recycling Association of Minnesota to create a new holiday light recycling program. Go to Recycle Minnesota for more details.

Do you use LEDs holiday lights? What kind of energy savings have you found?

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Welcome to Our Blog!

Energy Smart is moving into its second year, and getting bigger and better. In celebration, we are launching a blog with energy-saving tips and information, leading research on energy efficiency and news about energy and green initiatives across Minnesota and beyond.

But before we jump in, you might wonder who we are and what we do. Here’s a quick FAQ about us:

What is Energy Smart?
Energy Smart is a nonprofit run through the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Waste Wise program. Launched in 2008, we work with businesses and other organizations across the state to help them take advantage of energy-efficiency incentives, including lucrative utility rebates, grants and low-interest loans.

What exactly do you do?
We help businesses and property owners reduce their energy usage and save money. We conduct site visits to first help firms identify no- and low-cost energy improvements (such as activating energy-saving settings on computers or installing motion sensors). We also help them arrange energy audits -- often at reduced rates -- to determine what energy upgrades will produce the best bang for the buck and then help them find financial incentives they’re eligible for. We also work closely with energy-efficiency initiatives in localities to help them mobilize businesses and get the information they need to take action.

What’s your fee?
None. As a nonprofit, our mission is to help save organizations money and reduce energy usage by cashing in on incentives readily available to them.

How is your program funded?
Utilities providing service in Minnesota are required under state law to have a Conservation Improvement Program. Energy Smart’s pilot year was funded as an Alternative (meaning non-utility) Conservation Improvement Program of four investor-owned utilities in the state. The Minnesota Office of Energy Security recently authorized an additional three years of funding by Xcel Energy. This allows us to continue to expand our reach and help our funders and the state meet its Next Generation Energy Act goals.

How can I learn more?
You can contact Program Manager Jill Curran directly 651-292-4653. Or you can fill out a contact form on our Web site.

Also, to keep updated on our work and the latest in energy-efficiency news in Minnesota and nationwide, follow us on Twitter. You can also connect with us on Facebook or on LinkedIn.

Have any questions? We'd love to hear from you!

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