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REQUEST FOR HRA ACTION <br />Date: 6-18-10 <br />Item No: 9 a. <br />Staff Approval: Agenda Section <br /> <br />Action Items <br />Item Description: Roseville Free Home Energy Audit Program (HF0094) <br />Background <br />One of the 2010 RHRA work plan goals was to facilitate energy audits and housing <br />improvements to increase energy efficiency in Roseville’s housing stock. The Board dedicated <br />$5,000 from the 2010 budget in order to accomplish this goal. <br />Staff has been working with the Neighborhood Energy Connection (NEC) and the Energy <br />CENTS Coalition. The NEC does all the energy audits for Xcel Energy, who provides gas and <br />electricity for Roseville residents and businesses. <br />Recently Xcel Energy changed its approach to energy audits based upon a new rebate program <br />called Home Performance. Residents that want to access the Home Performance Rebate must <br />have a standard energy audit done versus a walk through audit. The cost of a standard audit is <br />$60 versus $30 for a walk through audit. The standard audit includes the same review as a walk <br />through audit does but also has the blower door diagnostic tool to determine how much air the <br />home loses, each hour, through the various leaks. By having a standard audit completed, <br />homeowners can qualify for rebates around $1200 for energy improvements in their homes. <br />The Energy CENTS Coalition and Xcel Energy have been working together to assist qualified <br />low-income Minnesotans to save money and energy through free conservation improvements <br />and free energy audits. Some free conservation improvements could be to: <br />Replace the furnace <br />Replace an old refrigerator or freezer with new energy efficient models <br />Insulate the house <br />Replace water heaters <br />Replace old window air conditioners with more energy efficient models <br />Install new compact florescent bulbs in lighting fixtures <br />Show home owners other ways to save on home energy costs. <br />One of the strategic goals of the RHRA is to develop sustainable solutions for housing through <br />the promotion and advocacy of green building techniques and environmental stewardship <br />practices. The RHRA can accomplish this goal by taking a proactive approach and provide <br />residents with a free energy audit that otherwise would not income qualify for a free audit. The <br />energy audit allows residents to leverage other resources in order to make energy improvements <br />to their homes along with reducing their operating costs. <br />Roseville Home Energy Audit (06-15-10) -Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br />