SNG Housing Resource Guide 2014

8/12/2019 SNG Housing Resource Guide 2014

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ALL ABOUT HOME 2014 SNG Housing Resource Guid

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 applianceson 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 percentof 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

2014Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour

The 27th annual Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour w

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 hom

to the very new, city dwellers throw open their doors to

share their home remodeling, decorating and neighborh

stories.

During the tour, thousands of visitors find homes of similvintage to their own, in neighborhoods of interest, or focu

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.

MARK

YOUR

CALENDARS!


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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 [email protected]

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.


Home Improvement & Energy Programs:


If You Are a Low-Income Home OwnIn addition to the above, the following programs are alsoavailable 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

repair the problem can borrow up to $5,000. No monthly

payments are required and the loan will be repaid when th

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 mont

payments are required and the loan will be repaid when th

house is sold. Income limits are $17,300-$32,600 depend

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.). Home

must have children under age 5 living in or frequently visiti

the home. Income limits are $44,950-$74,500 depending

on family size.


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Home Improvement & Energy Programs:


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 federalfunds 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 [email protected].

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 thehome. 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 appliancefor new energy efficient appliances. Income limits are $22,650

$57,450 depending on family size. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOS

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 federa

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% interes

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 a

eligible including interior & exterior remodeling, energy, mecha

ical and electrical improvements

Rental Energy Loan Program

Loans up to $20,000 with terms up to 10 years at 5.5% intere

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 [email protected].

Doug is available to provide free advice on your home improve

ment project and assist with obtaining financing and hiringa contractor.

By Doug


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MARK

YOU

R

CALENDA

RS!

2014South 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 foEnergy 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 o

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 recommendatiofor 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 chang

[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 fromthe Seward Neighborhood Group, Koehler decided to have a visit before the

cold weather hit. Both Koehler and her boyfriend were excited to have a visi

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

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 bac

and are experiencing the full benefits of program participation. Kathy Ward

followed through with her recommended insulation work and now has a les

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 b

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 Coordinat

at: (612) 335-5874. For more information you can also visit:

www.mncee.org/hes-mpls.

By Emma Struss, Center for Energy and Environmen

The Home Energy Squad VanMatthew 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.

Documents

SNG Housing Resource Guide 2014