So, you have decided you are interested in electric vehicles (EVs)? EVs offer lower fuel costs and lower maintenance costs, and they are better for the environment. That said, there are many different questions you may be asking before you purchase. What is an electric vehicle? There are many vehicles out there that are powered…
In the market for a new appliance? We know all the options can make your head spin. We put together a buying guide to help consumers in the market for a new appliance. In this mini-guide you can expect to find information on Energy Star and High Efficiency appliances, how Energy Star appliances save money,…
Did you know October is Energy Awareness Month? I know its only August and we’re not trying to rush to fall, but we do have to plan ahead and hope you will too. We’re starting to book talks and utility bill clinics for October, one of our busiest months of the year. Fall is a…
One of the many things new homeowners learn is the considerable impact improvements, maintenance and energy in your home can have on your budget. That is what Nikki Bentley and her husband Jeffrey discovered after they purchased their first home, a 1954 rambler, a few years back. Nikki and Jeffrey are environmentally-conscious and want to…
Meeting Minnesota’s electricity demands mainly through renewable energy would keep the electric system reliable, drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save the average household thousands of dollars. That is the conclusion of a new study conducted by Vibrant Clean Energy for the McKnight Foundation. The study examined options to achieve Minnesota’s statutory goal of reducing…
One of our roles at CUB is to help Minnesotans better understand their energy options. To do that, we also want to help people understand some of the basic, technical aspects of energy, such as measuring it. In most of our homes, energy as a resource is something we can’t see, feel, hear, or touch….
Last month, Great River Energy (GRE) announced that 50% of its electricity supply will come from renewable resources by 2030. This will more than double the power cooperative’s current renewable generation over the next 12 years. GRE, based in Maple Grove, is Minnesota’s second-largest electricity generator behind Xcel Energy, which announced last year that it…
Xcel recently received approval to conduct a pilot program designed to reduce peak residential energy use through price incentives. The program has the potential to both save consumers money and reduce emissions from electricity generation. Why reduce peak energy use? On a typical weekday, many of us are away from our homes either at work…
Don’t really want to say it, but our summer is almost half over. We’ve had our share of hot steamy summer days with more expected. Luckily there are a lot of tips out there to help you keep your home cool and your energy bills manageable. We’ve assembled tips from state and federal agencies to…
CUB staff were recently in Rochester giving a presentation to Mayo Clinic staff on energy efficiency. In the crowd was Ivan Idso, who, after the presentation was over, asked if CUB would like to join him for a tour of his uber efficient home a few minutes away in Rochester. Of course, CUB staff agreed….
