ALL ABOUT HOME 2015 SNG Housing Resource Guide

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

Community Solar - Clean, Local Energy

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

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 Xcels 1.2 million customers.
SunShares 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
Minnesotas 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 per
year, 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
scaspar@mysunshare.com or call 612-345-8881.

ALL ABOUT HOME 2015

Home Improvement & Energy Programs: A Special

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.
(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: 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, contact Beth Greeninger at (
612) 335-5874 or bgreeninger@mncee.org
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.

If You Are a Low-Income Home Owner:

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

SNG Emergency Deferred Loan Program

Seward neighborhood who face emergency home repairs and
are unable to obtain funds from other sources to repair the
problem can borrow up to $5,000. No monthly payments are
required and the loan will be repaid when the house is sold.
MN Rehabilitation Loan Program
Deferred loans up to $27,000 are available. Basic improvements are eligible including exterior remodeling, energy, mechanical and electrical improvements. No monthly payments
are required and the loan will be repaid when the house is
sold. Income limits are $17,450-$30,850 depending on
family size.

SNG Housing Resource Guide

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

By Doug Wise

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

Grants are available from Community Action of Hennepin County

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:

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 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 adjustment, Water heater insulation and Refrigerator thermometer.
For more information, please contact Beth Greeninger at (612)
335-5874 or bgreeninger@mncee.org

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 the
home. Income limits are $45,500-$80,600 depending on family
size. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO OWN RENTAL
PROPERTY.
Weatherization

Grants are available from Community Action of Hennepin County

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

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 Own Rental Property:

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. (Currently out of funding new funding expected in the
summer of 2015)
Rental Energy Loan Program

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

Energy related improvements are eligible.
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 the
home. Renters 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.
Renters income limits are $23,340-$72,060 depending on
family size.
Energy Assistance

Grants are available from Community Action of Hennepin County

for assistance in paying energy bills. Renters income limits are
$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 doug@sng.org. Doug is available to
provide free advice on your home improvement project and
assist with obtaining financing and hiring a contractor.

Save Money with

Home Energy Squad Enhanced

By Emma Struss, Center for Energy and Environment

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 locallywe 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 homeowners. 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 energy
improvements 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.

Schedule your Home Energy Squad Enhanced visit today! Call Beth
at 612-335-5874 or visit mncee.org/hes-mpls for more information.

n
ergy Squad Va

The Home En

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.

Matthew Buzzards Duplex

Kathy Ward standing

in her new insulation