"Your Guide to Saving Energy at Home" is an energy-saving checklist. Download the PDF in English, Hmong, Russian, Somali, or Spanish.
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BE EFFICIENTLY COMFORTABLE
Don’t heat or cool the outdoors:
- Close windows and doors when running the furnace or air conditioner.
- Inspect doors and windows for gaps or cracks, and seal with weatherstripping, caulking, or foam insulation.
- Use plastic film on windows and draft snakes, sweeps, and weatherstripping for doors to seal your home from cold drafts.
- Adding insulation and sealing air leaks can reduce heating and cooling costs by 15% or more.
If you have air registers, make sure they are clear of furniture or other obstructions so that air can circulate.
Cold Weather Tips
- Set your thermostat at 68°F during the day, and lower it at night or when you are away.
- Open curtains, blinds, and shades during the day to let the sun help to warm your home, and close them at night.
Warm Weather Tips
- Set your thermostat at 78°F and use a simple box fan when you're in the room to reduce air conditioning costs.
- Close curtains, blinds, and shades during the day and open windows at night to take advantage of free, cool, evening air.
Install a programmable or smart thermostat
A smart thermostat can be programmed to cool or heat spaces in advance rather than maintaining a constant temperature.
A free programmable thermostat is often included for free when you have a home energy audit. Or you can check with your local utility to see if they offer rebates or free thermostats.
Maintenance
Get your heating system tuned up annually and replace furnace filters monthly.
Emergencies
If your furnace stops working and you can't afford repairs, contact the Energy Assistance Program (EAP), usually your local Community Action Agency.
Energy Saving with Weatherization
Part 1: Home Weatherization
Part 2: Home Weatherization
What is weatherization?
Learn more about weatherization upgrades and programs that can pay for them.
TIPS FOR YOUR HOME
Information specifically for renters, residents of manufactured homes, single-family home buyers, and landlords provide ways to be comfortable, safe, and efficient.
Know before you buy
Inspect the Home
Assume that the home is being sold “as is.” Get it inspected by a professional who is a member of ASHI or InterNACHI. It can be a good idea to request previous utility bills to estimate heating and cooling costs in the home, as high bills could indicate that energy improvements need to be made.
Before buying a home, there are four areas you should inspect, with the highest opportunity for energy savings in Minnesota’s climate:
- Attic Insulation: Air leaks allow air from inside a house to enter the attic, potentially causing comfort issues, ice dams, and moisture issues. Sealing these leaks and adding insulation will improve a home’s durability and save energy.
- Heating System: Forced air furnaces typically have a 20 year life, and boilers should be replaced after 25 years.
- Wall Insulation: Walls with little insulation are cold and drafty. Dense packing walls with insulation reduces home drafts and improves home comfort. This will also reduce energy waste and save money.
- Windows: Windows should be double-pane, or single-pane with storm windows. Storm windows can be installed on the exterior of single-pane windows to cost effectively reduce energy usage, reduce drafts, and improve comfort.
Know before you rent
Ask to see recent utility bills so you know how much they might cost.
What utilities does the house or apartment have?
If there is more than one unit in the building, are there individual energy meters for each unit or is there one shared meter? Electric, natural gas, delivered fuels (propane or fuel oil), other?
Who pays the utilities: renter or landlord?
Your landlord can be your partner
Talk with your landlord about energy:
- Ask if there’s been an energy assessment or audit recently.
- Ask for help installing a programmable thermostat.
- Find out whose responsibility it is to change the furnace filter monthly and get the furnace serviced regularly.
- If appliances are old or need replacement, request ENERGY STAR appliances that qualify for utility rebates.
- Ask for help installing water-efficient faucet aerators and showerheads to reduce water heating costs.
- Find out how to turn down the water heater to 120°F to reduce energy use and prevent burns.
If your heat stops working
Contact your landlord.
MN law requires that landlords maintain rental properties so that they are “fit to live in” and “kept in reasonable repair.”
If your utilities are shut off or you are behind on payments
If your landlord pays your utilities:
Contact your landlord to alert them that utilities need to be paid. LawHelpMN.org offers additional suggestions.
If you pay your own utilities:
Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is a state law that protects you from having your electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1 and April 30. If you are behind in paying your electric or natural gas bill, contact your utility company to find out if you qualify for CWR protection, and to sign up.