Electrify Everything MN is empowering communities and energizing homeowners

Communities and residents across Minnesota want to reduce climate pollution, improve indoor air quality, and prepare their homes for the future. With that in mind, Electrify Everything MN launched in 2023 with the goal of providing education and resources to help homeowners transition from fossil-fuel powered appliances to electric alternatives. Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) partnered with the communities of Eden Prairie, Edina, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Hennepin County to bring electrification support to residents.

The program provides education on the most impactful electrification technologies including air source heat pumps, insulation and air sealing, hybrid heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, and electric dryers. In addition, the program provides valuable connections to quality contractors and financial resources to empower homeowners from start to finish of an electrification project. Over the year, Electrify Everything MN provided educational workshops, consultations with advisors, education at community events, local case studies, and other resources to nearly 900 residents.

During a recent workshop in St. Louis Park, 50 attendees had the opportunity to learn the key steps of home electrification and connect with HVAC and insulation contractors to answer questions about their homes. During the presentation and conversations at the workshop, CEE staff answered detailed questions related to incentive eligibility, heat pump functionality, and beginning the process of home electrification. When asked what the next step in their electrification journey would be, many workshop attendees said they would insulate their homes, install induction stoves, or request quotes for heat pumps. After the workshop, residents who were eager to start projects were encouraged to contact the Electrify Everything advisors for project guidance and to be connected with the Heat Pump Water Heater Installer Network and Air Source Heat Pump Preferred Contractor Network. These networks are coordinated by CEE and consist of contractors trained in installation and maintenance of various heat pump equipment.

While home electrification isn’t a new concept, popularity is expanding as awareness grows around historic new financial incentives. The incentives include funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the State of Minnesota, and local energy utilities, which together offer thousands of dollars in rebates and tax credits for home electrification improvements. Electrify Everything keeps participants informed by notifying them when new incentives become available, such as new and larger utility rebates.

Electrify Everything MN also works to connect residents with electrification resources administered by partner cities, like Edina’s Community Climate Action Fund and St. Louis Park’s Climate Champions Cost Share, which offer additional incentive dollars to residents for electrification projects. The landscape of electrification resources, incentives, research, and contractors is vast and growing rapidly. Electrify Everything strives to bring all the pieces together into one place for residents to move forward in their home electrification journey.

For homeowners considering electrifying their homes in 2024, the program encourages participating in events, seeking advice from the Electrify Everything advisors, consulting our contractor networks, and continuing to explore financial incentives at the state, federal, and utility levels. For additional information, guidance, and future events schedule, visit Electrify Everything MN’s website or sign up for the quarterly newsletter.

For cities or organizations looking to get involved, please email mdouglasmay@mncee.org.