The Home Energy Excellence program provides support to builders for improving the energy efficiency of homes. It is available for any builder who is building a home that will have natural gas service provided by Minnesota Energy Resources. The goal of the program is to improve the efficiency of homes that receive energy improvement advice and provide incentives to builders to exceed energy code.
Residential Science Resources (RSR) is a Minnesota Energy Resources subcontractor who supports builders signed up for the program. At no cost to the builder, RSR will:
- Review the home's plan (blueprints) with recommendations for energy improvements.
- Perform an on-site inspection upon completion of framing with feedback on building to date, recommendations for improvements and needed corrections.
- Perform a second on-site inspection upon completion of the insulation with feedback on building to date, recommendations for improvements and needed corrections.
- Perform a final on-site inspection with a blower door test, an infrared camera test and duct leakage test for verification of performance with needed corrections.
Home Energy Excellence benefits
- Pre-construction blueprint evaluation
- Up to two on-site inspections during construction
- Post-construction building evaluation
- Home Energy Excellence certificate
- Builder listing on Minnesota Energy Resources website
Determination of Home Energy Excellence certification:
Upon completion of the structure, the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) ratings of the as-built home will be analyzed for the level of accomplishment. If the home, as analyzed by REM/Rate or similar Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)-accredited software, has exceeded energy code by at least 20%, the builder will be eligible for the Home Energy Excellence certification and a rebate. The amount of rebate will be based on the builder's achievement as a percent above goal, thereby giving the builder more incentive to exceed goal by a higher percentage.
The builder rebates are as follows:
| Rebate eligibility level |
|
| Positive gas savings with less than 20% total energy savings over code |
$0 |
| 20-24.99% energy savings better than code |
$500 |
| 25-29.99% energy savings better than code |
$750 |
| 30-34.99% energy savings better than code |
$1,000 |
| 35-39.99% energy savings better than code |
$1,500 |
| Over 40% energy savings better than code |
$2,000 |
In addition, new homes that are constructed exclusively for low income housing, such as Habitat for Humanity or constructed by HRA/CDA's may be eligible for 150% of the standard rebate amount. Low income status must be verified to determine eligibility.
The builder and home buyers will not be eligible for certain gas equipment rebates from the residential heating system rebate and residential water heating rebate programs for homes participating in the Home Energy Excellence program. The builder should inform buyers of this limitation.
Builders or homeowners residential rebate eligibility guide
The following chart identifies additional potential rebates in which the builder or homeowner may be eligible for:
| Residential rebate program rebates |
Eligibility |
| Furnace, boiler, or integrated heating system |
No |
| Standard programmable thermostats |
No |
| Advance programmable thermostats |
Yes |
| Wi-fi enabled thermostats |
Yes |
| Water heaters |
No |
| Drain water heat recovery |
Yes |
| Hearth product |
Yes |
| Clothes washer |
Yes |
| Dishwasher |
Yes |
| Heat recovery ventilation (HRV), whole home |
No |
Home Energy Excellence program minimum requirements
- Home must be built in Minnesota Energy Resources service area.
- Gas service must fuel the primary heating system.
- Both single family and townhouses will be eligible to participate in the program.
In addition to the above support, Minnesota Energy Resources will assist with the following:
- Bill inserts and website promotions on the Home Energy Excellence program.
- Encouragement to home buyers to look for a "Home Energy Excellence home" in our promotional materials.
Both single family and townhouses will be eligible to participate in the program. Funding is limited and can change or end at any time.
For more detailed information, including the minimum requirements for rebates, please call 651-200-3411.
