June 25, 2020 Inside Climate News Dan Gearino The promise of saving money could be an essential part of nudging the public to begin driving all-electric cars and trucks. But it’s not easy to figure out the differences in costs between an EV and a model that runs on gasoline. The calculation needs to include…

Could financing through your utility bill help people make home energy efficiency improvements?
Published June 5, 2020 At a May 15 meeting, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) heard from representatives from the University of Minnesota and others exploring whether a new form of financing could help Minnesotans make energy efficiency improvements and reduce their home energy bills. The option is called tariffed on-bill financing (TOBF). It was…

Spring Energy Tips
Published March 9, 2020 It’s been a pretty mild winter. We were a little hesitant to post this blog knowing there still could be snowstorms in our future! Such is spring in Minnesota. It’s a mix of weather, so our tips below reflect that. Concentrate on managing your thermostat (up or down) to manage your energy use…

Top 5 winter savings recommendations
Published February 5, 2020 Winter isn’t leaving Minnesota any time soon, and now that most people have paid several months of winter energy bills, does your wallet feel lighter? If so, consider these top 5 savings recommendations to keep your home more comfortable and save on your next energy bill. Adjust your thermostat-the Department of…

Learning to Save Energy Early
Published October 28, 2019 Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and 48 public and private universities. Every year thousands of students flock to college campuses to pursue a higher education. While campuses create an atmosphere of community and is an environment for students to build relationships, they’re also significant energy users. Like many large facilities, campuses…

Air source heat pumps, what are they? And how do I know if one is right for me?
Updated March 30, 2021 Here at CUB, we work to provide consumers with reliable information on the latest energy saving technology, so you can make informed decisions related to your energy use. This blog post will inform you on the basics of heat pump technology, and direct you to reliable resources to learn more. What…

Spring Energy Tips
Its been quite the winter — polar vortex and ice dams galore. We are all ready for some warmer weather and running the heat less often! Here are some tips to help control your energy use as we transition into a new season. Because spring can be fickle and sometimes short, we also have links…

Why get a furnace or boiler tune-up? Let us break it down for you.
Why It’s Important to Get Your Heat Source Serviced During these cold winter months, consumers not only need to think about paying the bills, but making sure their heat-source keeps up with the cold temperatures. In general, there are three common ways to heat your home from a central heat source. They are as follows:…

Be energy smart this winter
For most Minnesota households, winter brings the highest energy bills of the year. The colder the weather, the higher our bills. For an average Minnesota home, over half of annual energy costs are for heating and cooling. As a result, adjusting your thermostat typically represents the biggest opportunity for saving energy throughout the year. Not…

October is Energy Awareness Month! How energy aware are you?
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. It’s a great time for all of us to think about how and when we use energy….