CEE celebrates Home Energy Squad Challenge winners
This spring, Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) celebrates the cities of Northfield and Falcon Heights as 2021 Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge® winners. In its first year participating in the challenge, the City of Northfield generated the most Home Energy Squad visits in the region. Home Energy Squad is provided by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, delivered by CEE.
“We are thrilled to win the Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge. This is a fun, healthy competition among cities of all sizes,” said Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell. “In Northfield, climate action and equity are important strategic priorities. We had great support from our community partners who helped get the word out about this program, especially in our manufactured home communities. This challenge helped our residents learn more about their home’s energy use and save money.”
“We are thrilled to win the Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge. This is a fun, healthy competition among cities of all sizes.”
Among challenge participants, the City of Falcon Heights recorded the highest tally of insulation and air sealing rebates, a reflection of how many Falcon Heights residents followed through on insulation and air sealing recommendations after an energy audit.
Patrick Mathwig, chair of the Environmental Commission in Falcon Heights, explained how the partnership with the Home Energy Squad benefits the city due to its older housing stock, and that the program “not only incentivized residents to complete insulation projects but helped them to understand how their homes use energy.”
The Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge is a collaboration among more than 20 Minnesota cities. Since 2020, the challenge has incentivized residents to get a home energy audit through the Home Energy Squad. With an energy audit, residents receive a customized inspection of their home, professional installation of energy-efficient products, and a detailed report outlining next steps for increased comfort and savings. By learning more about their home’s energy use, residents can be better stewards of efficiency resources and increase their home’s comfort and efficiency.
The Challenge leverages friendly competition between cities to encourage residents to take energy-saving actions in their homes. Each of the 22 competing cities tracks the number of energy audits and insulation jobs completed by their residents during the year. Cities that want to learn more about participating are encouraged to call Home Energy Squad at 651-328-6220.
About Home Energy Squad
Home Energy Squad is provided by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy to help customers reduce energy use. To qualify for a visit, you must be an Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy customer. mncee.org/hes
About CEE
Center for Energy and Environment is a 501(c)(3) clean energy nonprofit with special expertise in energy efficiency that stretches back 40 years. Complementary areas of focus include technical research, program development and implementation, community engagement, policy advocacy, and project financing. Working across homes, businesses, and communities, CEE discovers and deploys the most effective energy solutions to strengthen our economy and improve our environment. mncee.org
Related Links
City of Northfield Intercity Home Energy Challenge
Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge 2021