ALL ABOUT HOME 2014 SNG Housing Resource Guide

Energy Saving Tips for Renters

You dont have to be a homeowner to go green and
save some green with these simple energy-reducing
strategies. If you rent an apartment or townhome,
these easy adjustments can be made starting today.
Walk into the kitchen. The hotdish baking in the oven
smells good, but do you need to check it so often? The oven
temperature can drop 25 degrees every time you open the
door. Be cautious of how often you steal a peak at your
delicious creation.
Next time you could forego the conventional oven
altogether and use a small appliance like a toaster oven;
it would require about half the electrical energy. Unplug
the appliance when youre done, and the other appliances
on the countertop, including your cellphone charger. Many
of these devices consume energy even when turned off. In
total, household (apartment-hold) appliances can account
for 15% of electricity use.
If youre going to use the dishwasher, scrape your plate
clean rather than rinse it; rinsing dishes wastes water and
energy. Dont hit the start button before the dishwasher is
at capacity!
Take advantage of south-facing windows on a sunny day;
open the drapes. Close them at night and when theres no
direct sunlight to provide insulation; upwards of 15 percent
of heat can be lost due to unprotected windows.
Walk into the bathroom. Did you turn off the kitchen light?
Was it a compact fluorescent light bulb? Take a look at the
showerhead. A low-flow showerhead can reduce water con-
sumption by up to 10 percent. And the next time you sing in
the shower, pick a shorter song; every minute you cut saves
three gallons of water.
These helpful tips (or reminders), and the corresponding data,
come from Excel Energy. If youre a renter, consider how you
start practicing them today.
By Kurtis Neu
A Special Save It, Pull-It- Out Section for Future Reference
2014
Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour
The 27th annual Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour will
be April 26-27. Whether you're looking for kitchen & bath
ideas, or a contractor to bid on an addition, you'll find en-
couragement and resources here. From the very old homes
to the very new, city dwellers throw open their doors to
share their home remodeling, decorating and neighborhood
stories.
During the tour, thousands of visitors find homes of similar
vintage to their own, in neighborhoods of interest, or focus
on a particular
type of remodel.
Talk directly
with home-
owners to find
out what its
like to remodel,
expand, or
build new. Many
contractors,
architects, and
other trades
people will also
be available to
answer your
questions.
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If You Are a Home Owner:
SNG Revolving Loan Program
Loans up to $12,000 with terms up to 10 years at 2.50% interest.
Eligible improvements include exterior, energy, mechanical and
electrical improvements. Eligible applicants include owner occupants
and rental property owners of 1-4 unit buildings. No income limits.
SNG Interest Reduction Loan Program
Seward residents taking out Community Fix-up Fund loans will
have their interest rate reduced to 2.50%. Loans up to $20,000
with terms up to 15 years. Most improvements are eligible
including interior remodeling and additions. Income limit: $96,500
Home Energy Squad Enhanced
(Formerly Community Energy Services)
Home energy audits are available for the reduced cost of $30. In
addition to identifying and recommending energy improvements,
the Home Energy Squad crew will install the following: Programmable
thermostat, Weather stripping for two exterior doors, Compact
fluorescent lights (CFLs), High-efficiency showerhead, Kitchen
and bathroom faucet aerators, Water heater temperature assess-
ment and adjustment, Water heater insulation and Refrigerator
thermometer. For more information, contact Beth Greeninger at
(612) 335-5874 or bgreeninger@mncee.org
SNG Energy Conservation Grants
Seward homeowners making energy saving improvements
recommended by a home energy audit can receive a $150
grant from the SNG Environment Committee.
Home Energy Loan Program
Loans up to $20,000 with terms up to 15 years at 2.99% -4.99%
interest. Energy related improvements are eligible.
No income limits.
ALL ABOUT HOME 2014 SNG Housing Resource Guide
Home Improvement & Energy Programs:
A Special Save It, Pull- It-Out Section for Future Reference
If You Are a Low-Income Home Owner:
In addition to the above, the following programs are also
available to income qualified Seward home owners:
SNG Emergency Deferred Loan Program
Seward neighborhood residents who face emergency home
repairs and are unable to obtain funds from other sources to
repair the problem can borrow up to $5,000. No monthly
payments are required and the loan will be repaid when the
house is sold.
MN Rehabilitation Loan Program
Deferred loans up to $24,999 are available. Most improve-
ments are eligible including interior & exterior remodeling,
energy, mechanical and electrical improvements. No monthly
payments are required and the loan will be repaid when the
house is sold. Income limits are $17,300-$32,600 depending
on family size.
Lead Hazard Control Program
Matching grants up to $4000 (up to $8,000 if lead only)
are available for lead removal (windows, paint, etc.). Homes
must have children under age 5 living in or frequently visiting
the home. Income limits are $44,950-$74,500 depending
on family size.
ALL ABOUT HOME 2014 SNG Housing Resource Guide
Home Improvement & Energy Programs:
A Special Save It, Pull- It-Out Section for Future Reference
Weatherization
Grants are available from Community Action of Minneapolis
(CAM) for energy related improvements. Grants average $6,500.
Income limits are $22,650-$57,450 depending on family size.
HESP
Grants are available from CAM for the exchange of old appliances
for new energy efficient appliances. Income limits are $22,650-
$57,450 depending on family size.
Energy Assistance
Grants are available from CAM for assistance in paying energy
bills. Minnesota just received an additional $15.8M in federal
funds for this program. Income limits are $22,650-$57,450
depending on family size.
If You Are a Renter:
Home Energy Squad Enhanced
(Formerly Community Energy Services)
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO OWN RENTAL PROPERTY.
Energy audits are available for rental units at a cost of $70
with approval of the landlord. In addition to identifying and
recommending energy improvements, the Home Energy
Squad crew will install the following: Programmable thermostat,
Weather stripping for two exterior doors, Compact fluorescent
lights (CFLs), High-efficiency showerhead, Kitchen and bathroom
faucet aerators, Water heater temperature assessment and
adjustment, Water heater insulation and Refrigerator
thermometer. For more information, please contact Beth
Greeninger at (612) 335-5874 or bgreeninger@mncee.org.
Lead Hazard Control Program
Matching grants up to $4000 (up to $8,000 if lead only) are
available for lead removal (windows, paint, etc.). Homes must
have children under age 5 living in or frequently visiting the
home. Income limits are $44,950-$74,500 depending on family
size. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO OWN RENTAL
PROPERTY.
Weatherization
Grants are available from Community Action of Minneapolis
(CAM) for energy related improvements. Grants average $6,500.
Income limits are $22,650-$57,450 depending on family size.
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO OWN RENTAL PROPERTY.
HESP
Grants are available from CAM for the exchange of old appliances
for new energy efficient appliances. Income limits are $22,650-
$57,450 depending on family size. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE
WHO OWN RENTAL PROPERTY.
Energy Assistance
Grants are available from CAM for assistance in paying energy
bills. Minnesota just received an additional $15.8M in federal
funds for this program. Income limits are $22,650 -$57,450
depending on family size.
If You Own Rental Property:
SNG Revolving Loan Program
Loans up to $12,000 with terms up to 10 years at 2.50% interest.
Eligible improvements include exterior, energy, mechanical and
electrical improvements. Eligible applicants include owner
occupants and rental property owners of 1-4 unit buildings.
No income limits.
Rental Energy Loan Program
Loans up to $25,000 for 1 & 2 unit structures, & for 3+ unit
structures the lesser of $10,000/unit or $100,000/structure.
Terms are up to 15 years at 6% interest. Most improvements are
eligible including interior & exterior remodeling, energy, mechan-
ical and electrical improvements
Rental Energy Loan Program
Loans up to $20,000 with terms up to 10 years at 5.5% interest.
Energy related improvements are eligible. Eligible applicants in-
clude rental property owners of 1-4 unit buildings.
If you would like additional information or have questions,
contact Doug Wise, SNG Housing Coordinator, at (612)
338-6205, ext. 102 or doug@sng.org.
Doug is available to provide free advice on your home improve-
ment project and assist with obtaining financing and hiring
a contractor.
By Doug Wise
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2014
South Minneapolis Housing Fair
This year, the South Minneapolis Housing Fair will
be held April 5, 10am 3pm, in the Minneapolis
Sports Center at the Midtown YWCA, 2121 East
Lake Street.
There will be plenty of contractors who will talk
with you about large and small remodeling
projects, home repairs, maintenance and so on,
but theres also much more. The Ask an Expert
section will be back, along with a birdhouse making
activity for children, neighborhood organizations,
and the House of Pressure will demonstrate
energy saving methods. There will be short
demonstrations on a variety of topics and South
High Community Education will offer follow-up
classes on the demonstration topics during the
Spring and Summer.
Seward Residents Saving
with Home Energy Squad Enhanced
Two years ago Matthew Buzzard became the owner of a 1900 era duplex in
Seward. Like many of his neighbors Buzzard had concerns about the energy
efficiency of his older home. For months Buzzard thought about getting his
home evaluated but with his busy schedule he never found time.
This changed last September when Buzzard attended the Kings Fair and
spoke with Community Outreach Specialist Emma Struss from the Center for
Energy and Environment. Through their conversation Matthew learned the
Seward Neighborhood Group is buying down Home Energy Squad Enhanced
visits to $30 for Seward Neighborhood residents (visits previously known as
Community Energy Services).
The Home Energy Squad Enhanced visit involves two energy consultants, an
energy technician and energy counselor, who visit your home for about two
hours. The energy technician inspects your insulation levels, does a blower
door test to measure your home for air leaks, and performs a safety check on
your heating system and water heater. The energy counselor accompanies
you around your home to point out energy saving tips and install energy
saving materials.
At the end of your visit the energy consultants go over their recommendations
for increased energy efficiency in your home, and provide you with a Home
Energy Report. To help accomplish recommended home improvement projects,
the visit qualifies participants to receive low interest energy financing from
the Center for Energy and Environments Lending Center. Furthermore, you
will receive access to an approved contractor list
when insulation work is recommended.
Buzzard commented, we can feel proud about being residents of Steward
because we are a community that thinks globally and acts locallywe care
and are willing to reduce our energy consumption and adopt lifestyle changes
[for the planet].
Similar to Matthew Buzzard, Seward resident Jen Koehler also lives in an
older home. Upon hearing about Home Energy Squad Enhanced visits from
the Seward Neighborhood Group, Koehler decided to have a visit before the
cold weather hit. Both Koehler and her boyfriend were excited to have a visit.
Were both engineers and kind of nerdy like that, she observed.
When Koehler sat down to hear the results of the tests, she was very
surprised. We learned there was no insulation in the walls which was
something we never really thought [would be the case].
Reflecting on the visit, Koehler said the program was worthwhile because it
gave her a list of priority projects to get done. I would say you should have a
visit, especially if you havent done a lot of improvements on your home. Its
pretty painless, and gives you a plan of attack.
Seward residents Kathy Ward and Michele Braley had visits a few years back
and are experiencing the full benefits of program participation. Kathy Ward
followed through with her recommended insulation work and now has a less
drafty house, and no longer gets ice dams. She said, The staff was HIGHLY
educated about energy usage in the house, and gave me recommendations
that were everywhere from very small things that I could do, to very large
things I could do. Then the program followed up with monetary support to be
able to help me carry out the larger scale insulation. I mean, win-win; it was
very helpful.
If you would like to have a Home Energy Squad Enhanced visit like your
Seward neighbors please schedule with Beth, Participant Services Coordinator,
at: (612) 335-5874. For more information you can also visit:
www.mncee.org/hes-mpls.
By Emma Struss, Center for Energy and Environment
The Home Energy Squad Van
Matthew Buzzards Duplex
Kathy Ward standing
in her new insulation
1 Materials available for install are: door weather stripping, a water heater blanket,
programmable thermostat, compact florescent light bulbs, high-efficiency showerheads,
and faucet aerators. The material cost is included in the discounted $30 visit co-pay.
2 To get on the approved list, a contractor must: 1) obtain an installer certification
from the Building Performance Institute, 2) have 10% of their work randomly checked
to ensure that consistently high standards are met, 3) correct any work that is found
not to meet standards, and 4) offer a one year warranty to customers.