2022 Fall
OME Yard
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Providers offer new home
energy incentives Co-op, utility programs help homeowners save money BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
Strategic spending early in the new home building process can lead to larger savings later, especially if energy efficiency rebates or improvements enter the picture. East Central Energy has an energy services team that is dedicated to helping home owners who are considering new home construction. “We like to think of ourselves as trusted advisers,” said Pete Leibel, the member-owned electric cooperative’s energy services supervisor. “Our team continuously works with reduced rate programs, and explains options for the homeowner.” For example, ECE’s forestry department can help determine the right trees to plant to create windbreaks. Dense evergreen trees or shrubs strategically placed on the north side of a property can reduce annual home heating costs by 10% to 15%.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EAST CENTRAL ENERGY
Quiet and energy efficient, an air source heat pump is ideal for cooling in the summer and when winter temperatures are above 25 degrees. These units replace traditional air conditioner units.
Electric thermal storage, or room storage heaters, deliver savings by using electricity to store heat during the night when the timeof-day power rate is cheapest. They can be easily installed during new home construction. ETS systems store heat in specially designed ceramic bricks. A room thermostat monitors room temperature and when heat is needed, the stored heat in the bricks is discharged to meet heating requirements throughout the home. “These ETS or whole house heating systems sit in the basement or garage,” Leibel said. “We offer a $100 per kilowatt rebate for (homeowners who incorporate them into their homes).” Some units provide 38 kilowatts of energy; that translates into an ECE rebate of $3,800 on a $7,000 or $8,000 piece of equipment, Leibel said. ECE also offers rebate programs for water heating. If you are building a new home, Leibel suggests pricing an air source heat pump instead of a regular air conditioner. “Those are very efficient and are getting more and more efficient year after year,” said Leibel, adding it is important to have units put in by a qualified installer. “They are capable of heating at lower and lower temperatures.” Leibel said, ECE offers installation rebates of up to $1,250 for air source heat pumps.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EAST CENTRAL ENERGY
Pete Leibel, energy services supervisor for East Central Energy, stands near a hot water storage unit. Leibel suggests homeowners consider ECE’s storage water heating program, which has a special rate of 5.3 cents per kWh.
The High Efficiency New Homes Program is a joint offering between CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy. Together, the energy providers promote high efficiency home construction that exceeds the Minnesota Residential Energy Code.
Energy incentives page 2B