SNG Summer Housing Guide 2015 Web

8/17/2019 SNG Summer Housing Guide 2015 Web

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ALL ABOUT HOME • 2015 • SNG Housing Resource Guid

Community Solar - Clean, Local Energy

In 2015 SunShare, a developer of community solar gardens, has plans to build large solar farms whose output will be

shared by Xcel Energy customers. These solar farms are authorized as an option for Xcel’s 1.2 million customers.SunShare’s founder and CEO David Amster-Olszewski talked about his plans here in Minnesota.

A community solar garden gives folks and businesses a way to use solar energy without having solar panels installed on

their roof. By building solar farms and then installing panels at the farms, we are able to work with the local utility - in

Minnesota’s case, Xcel Energy - and sell customers the energy from the panels. People are able to choose to get energy

from renewable sources instead of from fossil fuels.

Customers participate for a variety of reasons. The first is they want to use solar energy for personal environmental

reasons. The second is that we can compete with fossil fuels on price so customers pay either the same price as for

fossil fuels or in some cases a discount. Most customers are used to paying monthly for electrictiy.

In Minnesota solar energy is sold at a discount. In addition, customers are locking in long-term rates for energy. Unlike

fossil fuels, which continue to increase over time and have led average utility rates to increase almost 5 percent peryear, by using solar we know what the prices are going to be because the sun is always free.

To learn more about community solar energy and about SunShare,

contact Sarah Caspar, Residential Field Manager, SunShare at

[email protected] or call 612-345-8881.

Excerpted from the Star Tribune, Sept. 2014; submitted by Sarah Caspar

A Special Save It, Pull-It-Out Section for Future Reference


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If You Are a Home Owner:

SNG Revolving Loan ProgramLoans 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.

(Currently out of funding – new funding expected in the summer

of 2015)

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: $99,500

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: Programma-

ble 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 ther-

mometer. 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 $200 grant

from the SNG Environment Committee.

Home Energy Loan Program

Loans up to $10,000 with terms up to 5 years at 2.99% interest.

Energy related improvements are eligible. No income limits.

ALL ABOUT HOME • 2015Home Improvement & Energy Programs: A Speci

If You Are a Low-Income Home Own

In addition to the above, the following programs are alsoavailable to income qualified Seward home owners:

SNG Emergency Deferred Loan Program

Seward neighborhood who face emergency home repairs

are unable to obtain funds from other sources to repair th

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

required and the loan will be repaid when the house is so

MN Rehabilitation Loan Program

Deferred loans up to $27,000 are available. Basic improv

ments are eligible including exterior remodeling, energy, m

chanical and electrical improvements. No monthly payme

are required and the loan will be repaid when the house is

sold. Income limits are $17,450-$30,850 depending on

family size.


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SNG Housing Resource GuidSave It, Pull-It-Out Section for Future Reference

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 musthave children under age 5 living in or frequently visiting the

home. Income limits are $45,500-$80,600 depending on family

size.

Weatherization

Grants are available from Community Action of Hennepin County

for energy related improvements. Grants average $6,500. In-

come limits are $23,340-$72,060 depending on family size.

Energy Assistance


for assistance in paying energy bills. Minnesota just received

an additional $15.8M in federal funds for this program. Income

limits are $23,340-$72,060 depending on family size.

If You Are a Renter:


(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 r

ecommending 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 ad-

justment, Water heater insulation and Refrigerator thermometer.

For more information, please contact Beth Greeninger at (612)

335-5874 or [email protected]


Matching grants up to $4000 (up to $8,000 if lead only) are

available for lead removal (windows, paint, etc.). Homes musthave children under age 5 living in or frequently visiting the

home. Income limits are $45,500-$80,600 depending on family

size. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO OWN RENTAL

PROPERTY.

Weatherization


for energy related improvements. Grants average $6,500. In-

come limits are $23,340-$72,060 depending on family size.

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO OWN RENTAL PROPERTY.

Energy Assistance

Grants are available from Community Action of Hennepin C

for assistance in paying energy bills. Minnesota just receiv

additional $15.8M in federal funds for this program. Incom

its are $23,340-$72,060 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% inte

Eligible improvements include exterior, energy, mechanical an

electrical improvements. Eligible applicants include owner oc

pants and rental property owners of 1-4 unit buildings. No inc

limits. (Currently out of funding – new funding expected in th

summer of 2015)

Rental Energy Loan Program

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

Energy related improvements are eligible.


Matching grants up to $4000 (up to $8,000 if lead only) ar

available for lead removal (windows, paint, etc.). Homes mu

have children under age 5 living in or frequently visiting the

home. Renter’s income limits are $45,500-$80,600 depen

on family size.

Weatherization


for energy related improvements. Grants average $6,500.

Renter’s income limits are $23,340-$72,060 depending o

family size.

Energy Assistance


for assistance in paying energy bills. Renter’s income limit

$23,340-$72,060 depending on family size.

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 improvement project an

assist with obtaining financing and hiring a contractor.

By Doug Wise


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Save Money with


Home Energy Squad Enhanced, a unique, customized home energy saving program in which

energy professionals evaluate your home for energy savings. Seward is a partner neighborhood

in this program and pays for over half of the cost of the energy-saving visit, making it available

to Seward homeowners at a discounted rate of only $30. The Seward Neighborhood Group is

also offering a $200 rebate on improvements recommended by the home visit. Home Energy

Squad Enhanced is provided by CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy and delivered by the

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). The program has helped over 7,000 homeowners

in Minneapolis save energy and money in their homes and has been very popular with Seward

residents. Matthew Buzzard, who owns a 1900 era duplex in Seward participated in the program

and had this to say about his experience:“…we can feel proud about being residents of Seward

because we are a community that thinks globally and acts locally…we care and are willing to

reduce our energy consumption and adopt lifestyle changes [for the planet]”.

Just like people, each home is different and operates as a system. The Home Energy Squad

professionals understand this and so each visit is customized to meet the needs of the home-

owners. In 2.5 hours the team will educate you about ways to save money and energy in your

home, install energy savings materials, perform a blower door test to measure for air leaks,

and complete an insulation inspection. You will also receive a report with recommended energyimprovements prioritized to the highest return on your investment. If your home needs insulation

and/or air sealing the team will provide you with a quote for the recommended work. Kathy

Ward, another Seward homeowner who took advantage of the program, commented: “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.”

By Emma Struss, Center for Energy and Environment

The Home Energ y Squa

d Van

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.

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.

Schedule your Home Energy Squad Enhanced visit today! Call Beth

at 612-335-5874 or visit mncee.org/hes-mpls for more information.

Matthew Buzzard’s Duplex

Kathy Ward standing

in her new insulation

Documents

SNG Summer Housing Guide 2015 Web