Published October 22, 2021 A cold draft sneaks from the attic, the walls are cold to the touch, and moisture is collecting in the basement. These signs point to a need to weatherize and, without action, can affect your energy bill and the comfort of your home. Over 50% of homes in Minnesota were built…
Published July 6, 2021 Humidity plays a big part in the comfort and overall health of homes. High indoor humidity levels in the summer could potentially increase energy bills too. High humidity makes us feel warmer in the summer (and colder in the winter), causing us to cool (or heat) our homes more than we…
Published June 3, 2021 According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, heating and cooling comprise 55% of a typical Minnesota home’s energy use. The challenge during these next 3-4 months of warm weather is that using a lot of air conditioning can result in high electricity bills. Below are some tips to try to keep…
May 28, 2021 Sahan Journal Andrew Hazzard A rare bipartisan bill aims to help Minnesota lower emissions while offering significant savings for low-income families, including many people of color. Governor Tim Walz signed the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act into law May 25. The bill modernizes the state’s Conservation Improvement Program, a long-term energy-…
May 20, 2021 Center for Energy and Environment Mike Bull Minnesota’s regular legislative session ended on May 18 with the biggest clean energy win since 2013, strengthening our most successful energy policy in state history. After six years of hard work and deep bipartisan collaboration, the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (known as “ECO”) was…
Published April 15, 2021 Over the last few years, CUB has fielded an increasing number of calls from consumers interested in learning more about air source heat pumps. This blog provides an overview of resources for those interested in learning more about this technology and whether it could be a good option for their homes….
Published April 12, 2021 It is officially spring in Minnesota and therefore a wide mix of weather is in the forecast. One day you’ll have the heat on; the next day, the windows are open. On really warm days, you might even consider turning on the air conditioner. Here are some tips to manage your…
Published February 4, 2021 I recently spoke with a woman whose January electricity bill for a rented 2-bedroom duplex was over $500! I had a conversation with her to understand a bit more about her home and her personal situation. I made some initial suggestions that would cut her bill by nearly one-third and also followed…
Published December 29, 2020 As we enter the winter months, temperatures are starting to drop, and many households may be looking to portable space heaters to help stay warm in their homes. If this includes you, it is important to factor in the capability, costs, and efficiency of space heaters. This blog post will dig…
Published September 8, 2020 You’ve heard this a lot already: it’s going to be a unique fall season. These unusual times are also impacting our energy use and patterns of use. With many people spending much more time at home than what is typical, household energy use is going to increase. The tips below will…
