When purchasing new appliances or electronic equipment, consider looking beyond the price tag and thinking about total cost over the entire time you will have that item, including how much energy it will use. The Energy Star label can help you find equipment that will save you energy – and save you money over the…
When talking about energy saving tips, we often get asked, “I’m a renter. What can I do to save energy?” We typically respond: “Quite a lot actually.” There are some obvious limits to renters’ options for controlling energy consumption. For example, renters aren’t likely to go and buy their own energy efficient refrigerator or replace…
At the request of the Citizens Utility Board, Governor Dayton has declared October Energy Awareness Month in Minnesota. With this proclamation, Governor Dayton is emphasizing the importance energy plays in our lives and in the economy of Minnesota. Minnesota has been a leader in creating an energy supply that is cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable….
October 1 marks the start of a multi-year electric rate increase for Xcel Energy electric customers. While it is pretty straight-forward to understand that your bills are about to increase, the details behind utility rate increases can be confusing. That’s one reason CUB exists – to help consumers understand their energy bills and provide ideas…
The falling cost combined with the performance of LED light bulbs has transformed the way we light our homes and businesses. But, it has also generated a lot of confusion that was not there before. Now, instead of looking just at the watts, there are many different characteristics of an LED light bulb that must…
Energy Assistance Are you struggling to keep up with your energy bills? Homeowners and renters who meet income guidelines can apply for energy assistance. Energy assistance is a grant that is paid directly to your energy providers to help cover your heating and electricity bills. Energy Assistance Programs are organized by county or Native American…
Minnesota Power recently proposed to build and own a new natural gas power plant. CUB will be watching closely as the proposal goes through regulatory review to make sure that this investment would be a good deal for consumers. Minnesota’s public utilities are monopoly companies whose investors earn a rate of return on projects like…
Published September 19, 2017 Solar power is heating up in Minnesota. While many people think of Minnesota as a cold and snowy state, Minnesota ranks 16th in the nation for solar energy output. Increased renewable energy developments are giving Minnesota consumers new efficient and cost-effective energy options. This blog seeks to help the average residential…
Published September 19, 2017 CenterPoint Energy customers will see an increase of 5.4% on their natural gas rates starting next month. This reflects an “interim” rate increase approved by the Public Utilities Commission earlier this month. CenterPoint has requested permission to increase its rates on a permanent basis by an average of 6.4%, or $56.5…
Published September 5, 2017 With the passing of Labor Day, our summer is unofficially over. As you get ready for the inevitable cooler weather ahead, here are a few easy tips to try to keep your home running efficiently and your energy bills as low as possible. Adjust your thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends…
