Rebates and Programs
- Residential High Efficiency Equipment Rebates
- New Home Rebates
- Low Income New Construction Rebates
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program
- Low Income Weatherization and Emergency Furnace and Water Heater Replacement Program
- 4U2 Program
- Energy Star® Plus New Homes Program (for home buyers)
- Water Heating Saver Program
- Additional Rebates and Incentives
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Residential High Efficiency Equipment Rebates
Minnesota Energy Resources provides rebates to residential customers who install high efficiency natural gas equipment, energy efficient appliances, and set-back thermostats to lower their natural gas bill. You must be a current Minnesota Energy Resources residential customer to receive a rebate. Owners and renters may apply. The rebate will be issued to the person invoiced for the equipment. An itemized invoice for the equipment must be included with the application:
Available Residential Rebates
| Measure | Minimum Efficiency | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Furnace Replacement | 92% AFUE1 | $250 |
| Gas Furnace Replacement | 95% AFUE1 or greater | $350 |
| High Efficiency Boiler | 90% AFUE1 | $200 |
| Integrated Space and Water Heating System | 90% CAE2 | $250 |
| Electronic Programmable Set-Back Thermostat | $404 | |
| Water Heater | 0.62 EF3 | $45 |
| Water Heater | 0.64 EF | $75 |
| Water Heater | 0.82 EF | $250 |
| Drain Water Heat Recovery Device (DHR) | $150 | |
| Top Loading Clothes Washer | Energy Star Rated | $35 |
| Front Loading Clothes Washer | Energy Star Rated | $50 |
| Electronic Ignition Hearth | No standing pilot | $75 |
| Air Sealing | No tighter than 3.0 ACH50 | $3004 |
| Air Sealing & Attic Insulation | R44 and sealing of bypasses | $6504 |
| Sidewall Insulation | R13 | $4254 |
| Foundation Insulation | R7 | $4254 |
The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) ratings will be used to determine the AFUE, EF, and CAE for heating purposes.
1AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
2EF: Energy Factor
3CAE: Combined Annual Efficiency
4Rebate amount is 50% of total improvement cost, up to maximum rebate amount listed above.
For additional information, call us toll-free at 800-889-9508. Rebate applications may be obtained from most dealers or you may print the application above.
Funding is limited and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This program ends December 31 of each year, or when funding is depleted. The program application must be received by January 31 of the following year.
New Home Rebates
Minnesota Energy Resources provides rebates to residential customers who install high efficiency natural gas equipment, energy efficient appliances, and set-back thermostats to lower their natural gas bill. To receive a rebate, the new home must be served by Minnesota Energy Resources and cannot be participating in the Energy Star Homes program. Owners and renters may apply. The rebate will be issued to the person invoiced for the equipment. An itemized invoice for the equipment must be included with the application:
Available Residential Rebates
| Measure | Minimum Efficiency | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Furnace - New Home | 92 AFUE1 | $250 |
| Gas Furnace - New Home | 95% AFUE1 or greater | $350 |
| High Efficiency Boiler | 90% AFUE1 | $200 |
| Integrated Space and Water Heating System | 90% CAE2 | $250 |
| Electronic Programmable Set-Back Thermostat | $40 | |
| Water Heater - New Home | 0.62 EF3 | $45 |
| Water Heater - New Home | 0.64 EF | $75 |
| Water Heater - New Home | 0.82 EF | $250 |
| Drain Water Heat Recovery Device (DHR) | $150 | |
| Top Loading Clothes Washer | Energy Star Rated | $35 |
| Front Loading Clothes Washer | Energy Star Rated | $50 |
| Electronic Ignition Hearth | No Standing Pilot4 | $75 |
1AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
2CAE: Combined Annual Efficiency
3EF: Energy Factor
4Only available to existing homes (not new construction) for gas hearths that had a standing pilot light.
For additional information, call us toll-free at 800-889-9508. Rebate applications may be obtained from most dealers or you may print the application above.
Funding is limited and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This program ends December 31st of each year, or when funding is depleted. The program application must be received by January 31 of the following year.
Low Income New Construction Rebates
If you are a non-profit organization such as a Community Action Program agency or Habitat for Humanity serving the low-income community, Minnesota Energy Resources supports your community efforts through the rebates outlined below.
If you are a low income customer and Habitat for Humanity or another community-based non-profit organization is building your new home, your home may qualify for one or more of the following rebates.
| Equipment | Efficiency Requirements | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Furnace | 92% AFUE1 | $500 |
| Integrated Space and Water Heating System | 90% CAE2 | $900 |
| Electronic Programmable Set-Back Thermostat | $100 | |
| Water Heater | 0.62 EF3 | $100 |
| Drain Water Heat Recovery Device (DHR) | $300 | |
| Low Flow Showerhead | $10 |
1AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
2CAE: Combined Annual Efficiency
3EF: Energy Factor
The new home must be served by Minnesota Energy Resources. The rebate will be issued to the non-profit organization submitting the application and responsible for the project. An itemized invoice for the installed equipment must be included with the application:
Funding is limited and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This program ends December 31 of each year, or when funding is depleted. The program application must be received by January 31 of the following year.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The federal government provides financial assistance to low income residents in the State of Minnesota to help pay their energy bills. These funds are disseminated through local agencies that serve specific counties. To find out which CAP agency serves the county you live in and to obtain their contact information, visit Find Energy Assistance.
Low Income Weatherization and Emergency Furnace and Water Heater Replacement Program
The federal government provides weatherization assistance to limited income residents in the State of Minnesota to help reduce their energy usage and thus their energy bills. This weatherization assistance is provided through local agencies that serve specific counties. In addition to the federal dollars, Minnesota Energy Resources provides monies to supplement the federal dollars. These funds can pay for weatherization and or for emergency natural gas furnace and water heater replacements. For more information about weatherization and emergency furnace and water heater replacements, please call 877-358-0305.
4U2 Program
Contact: Local Community Action Program Agency
This pilot program is currently only available to Minnesota Energy Resources customers in the following counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, LeSueur, Martin, Mower, Nicolet, Olmsted, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan and Wincha.
4U2 is a program for qualifying customers who are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs without sacrificing comfort. The program starts with an energy audit to identify weatherization opportunities that will make the home more comfortable and energy efficient. Once energy-saving opportunities are identified the customer can decide whether or not to have them implemented. There is a small co-pay with this program. To find out more about the program and see if you qualify, call 877-358-0305.
Energy Star® Plus New Homes Program (for home buyers)
Minnesota Energy Resources offers the ENERGY STAR® Plus New Homes program for builders. This program provides incentives to builders that build energy efficient homes. This is a benefit to you, the homebuyer. There are two levels of homes that may be recognized by our program:
- ENERGY STAR Home – This home meets the energy efficiency guidelines to qualify as an ENERGY STAR Home.
- ENERGY STAR Plus Home – This home was built with a HERS rating that improved at least 8% over the original design HERS rating. Some homes achieved 10% improvement or more.
If you are looking to purchase a new home, look for a certified ENERGY STAR Plus new home. Customers who purchase Minnesota Energy Resources certified ENERGY STAR Homes are not eligible for rebates under the Residential High Efficiency Equipment Rebate, the New Home Rebate, the Low Income New Construction Rebate, or the Water Heating Saver programs.
While it is the home that is certified, builders who build ENERGY STAR homes are listed to facilitate your search for your ENERGY STAR home:
- Babcock Builders
- Batzel Builders
- Bouquet Companies
- Centex Homes Minnesota
- East Central Energy
- First Choice Homes, LLC
- Key Land Custom Homes
- Lennar Homes
- Penz Custom Homes
- Ryland Homes
Water Heating Saver Program
After heating your home, hot water use is the second largest user of natural gas in your home — accounting for about 15 percent of your total energy use. The Minnesota Energy Resources Hot Water Conservation Program is intended to help you reduce energy costs associated with water heating.
- Free Water Conservation Kits
Hot water conservation kits offer customers an assortment of showerhead and aerators to help reduce water use. And, the price is right, as the kits are FREE to qualified Minnesota Energy Resources customers. - Water Heating Equipment
Installing a high efficiency hot water heater is an energy-saving investment. When it comes to water heaters, most homes have conventional storage water heaters. Minnesota Energy Resources offers incentives ranging from $45-250 on qualified high efficiency storage water heaters. - Tankless Water Heaters
If you are replacing your water heater, you might want to consider tankless water heaters. The incentive is greater, and so are the savings. ENERGY STAR® indicates that a tankless water heater can have a savings of 30 percent over most conventional storage water heaters. Tankless water heaters offer other advantages, including: longer equipment life and space saving design. Minnesota Energy Resources offers an incentive of $250 on tankless water heaters. - Energy Star® Washers
About 70-90% of the energy used by a washing machine is for heating the water, so washers that use less hot water use less energy. Minnesota Energy Resources is offering a rebate of $35 for ENERGY STAR® rated top-loading washers, and $50 for ENERGY STAR® rated front-loading clothes washers. And, since front-loading clothes washers wring more water out of the clothes, you'll also save on energy used for drying. - Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR)
Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) is an emerging technology that allows you to essentially recycle the heat from drain water. This energy can be used to preheat cold water going into your water heater. DWHR systems reduce the energy needed for heating water and, in essence, increase the capacity of water heaters. Minnesota Energy Resources offers an incentive of $150 on a qualified drain water heat recovery system.
To learn more about this exciting technology visit http://www.energysavers.gov or learn about other Water Saving Tips.
Additional Rebates and Incentives
Additional energy-saving rebates may be available through your electric utility provider. If you are an electric customer of any of the following utilities, be sure to click on your utility name below to visit their website and see what rebates they have to offer.
- Beltrami Electric
- Blooming Prairie Public Utilities
- Crow Wing Power
- Dakota Electric Association
- East Central Energy
- XCel Energy
- Fairmont Public Utilities
- Federated Rural Electric Association
- Goodhue County Cooperative Electric
- Itasca Mantrap Cooperative Electrical Association
- Lake Country Power
- Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative
- Minnesota Power
- Mora Municipal Utilities
- North Branch Municipal Water & Light
- North Star Electric Cooperative
- People's Cooperative Services
- Preston Public Utilities
- Rochester Public Utilities
- Roseau Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Spring Valley Public Utilities
- Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric
- Todd-Wadena Cooperative Electric
- Tri-County Electric
- Wells Public Utilities
Additional rebates and incentives are available from other utilities and organizations.
Federal Tax Forms:
For assistance or additional information please contact us toll-free at 800-889-9508.