Home Energy Squad: Real Savings for Summit‑University Homes

If you own an older home in Summit–University, a simple energy check can make a big difference in how your home feels and what you pay each month. Many properties here were built before 1940, which means charming details, but also drafts, thin insulation, and aging systems. That is exactly what the Home Energy Squad program is designed to fix with quick installs, testing, and a clear plan for bigger upgrades when they make sense. In this guide, you will learn what a visit includes, how to schedule, where savings usually come from, and how to document improvements for resale.

Why energy checks pay off in Summit–University

Summit–University’s housing mix includes historic mansions, classic foursquares, and early multifamily buildings. The neighborhood has a large share of pre‑1940 homes, which often means great bones and real opportunities to improve comfort and efficiency based on local demographics. When you tighten the envelope and update key systems, you typically get warmer winters, cooler summers, lower bills, and quieter rooms. You also get better talking points when you sell.

Home Energy Squad is a Minnesota service delivered by the Center for Energy and Environment and sponsored by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy. A trained crew comes to your home, installs low‑cost improvements, runs diagnostics when appropriate, and leaves you with a prioritized list of upgrades and direct help connecting to rebates, contractors, and financing program overview.

What a Home Energy Squad visit includes

Before you book: timing and preparation

• Decide which visit type fits your home. For houses built before 2000, the Energy Planner visit is usually the best fit because it includes a blower‑door test, infrared imaging, and an insulation assessment visit types. Homes built 2000 or later, mobile homes, condos, and rentals typically use the Energy Saver visit.
• Pick a time of year that matches your goals. If winter drafts drive you crazy, schedule before the heating season so you can tackle air sealing and attic work early.
• Gather utility account info. HES serves customers of Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, and eligibility ties to your utilities program details.
• Make access easy. Crews need clear paths to the attic, basement, mechanicals, and key exterior doors. A typical visit takes about 2 to 3 hours scope and timing.

During the visit: assessment and installs

• Hands-on upgrades. Crews can install LED bulbs, water‑saving showerheads and faucet aerators, weatherstripping for doors and attic hatches, smart or programmable thermostats when compatible, and smart power strips. They also adjust water‑heater settings and may add simple insulation wraps where appropriate typical measures.
• Diagnostics for older homes. The Energy Planner visit adds a blower‑door test to measure air leakage, infrared scans to spot missing or thin insulation, and a review of heating and water‑heating systems. Combustion safety checks help confirm equipment is operating as intended older‑home testing.
• Clear explanations. As issues are found, the crew explains what each fix would do, which projects should come first, and how rebates and financing might help.

Note: A virtual visit is also available if you prefer to start by phone or video virtual option.

After the visit: a prioritized action plan

You will receive a written report with the biggest opportunities ranked by impact and cost. An Energy Advisor follows up to help you line up contractor bids, apply for rebates, and consider financing. This support makes it easier to phase projects over time without losing momentum advisor help.

Quick wins vs bigger upgrades

Older, draft‑prone homes respond well to a mix of quick fixes and deeper improvements. The right sequence saves money and reduces disruption.

Immediate, low-cost improvements

• LED bulbs and smart strips to cut lighting and plug loads.
• Weatherstripping and door sweeps to calm drafts.
• Smart or programmable thermostats for steady comfort and fewer spikes.
• Water‑saving showerheads and aerators to lower water and energy use.
• Water‑heater temperature check and basic insulation wraps where appropriate common measures.

These are quick wins you can do the same day. They improve comfort right away and start trimming bills while you plan bigger work.

Deeper improvements with meaningful impact

• Air sealing and attic insulation. In cold climates, sealing leaks and bringing attic insulation up to target levels often delivers the highest return. National guidance indicates sealing and insulating can reduce heating and cooling energy by roughly 10 to 20 percent, with larger heating savings in cold regions. Actual savings vary by home and fuel type methodology and typical ranges.
• Rim‑joist and wall insulation. Older basements and balloon‑framed walls often leak heat. Blower‑door results and infrared scans show where work pays off diagnostic value.
• Heating, cooling, and water‑heating upgrades. If your furnace, boiler, or water heater is aging, the report will outline efficient replacements and available rebates program overview.

Prioritizing for older homes

Start with the envelope, then mechanicals. Sealing and insulation typically improve comfort and lower loads, which means a right‑sized furnace or heat pump can be smaller and more efficient. This order respects historic character, reduces noise, and sets you up for better long‑term performance.

Rebates, financing, and project timing

How incentives typically work

Most upgrades pair with utility rebates and sometimes city or federal incentives. The Home Energy Squad report and Energy Advisor help you identify what is available, outline documentation, and time your applications. Utilities have offered rebates for insulation, air sealing, furnaces, heat pumps, and water heaters, and they may run bonus windows that boost savings. Exact amounts change, so confirm current details as you plan rebate orientation.

The City of Saint Paul’s housing programs often use an HES report to scope work for assisted projects, making Home Energy Squad a smart first step if you plan to seek city help city program context.

Financing is also available through low‑interest home energy loans and utility options. Your Energy Advisor can help compare APRs, expected savings, and rebate stacking so you can choose the right path financing overview.

Pairing upgrades with other renovations

• Combine air sealing and insulation with roof or attic work.
• Coordinate electrical updates with a future heat pump plan.
• Plan basement rim‑joist sealing alongside tuck‑pointing or moisture control.
• Align window restoration with targeted air sealing and storm windows rather than full replacements if you want to preserve character.

Seasonal timing and contractor scheduling

• Book your HES visit early in the year to get on contractor calendars for spring and summer.
• Aim to complete insulation and air sealing before peak heating season.
• Expect lead times for equipment during high‑demand periods. Early scheduling keeps projects on track.

Efficiency upgrades that support resale

Lower operating costs as a selling point

Buyers respond to homes that feel comfortable and quiet. When you document lower monthly costs and visible improvements, you reduce buyer uncertainty. In Summit–University, where historic charm is prized, a well‑insulated, draft‑free home stands out.

Proof and paperwork that help at listing

Keep a tidy file with:

• Your Home Energy Squad report and follow‑up recommendations program documentation
• Contractor proposals and invoices
• Product manuals and warranty details
• Rebate approvals and final confirmations

Clear paperwork makes your improvements easy to validate during showings, inspections, and appraisal.

Integrating efficiency into staging and marketing

• Highlight a quiet, even temperature during tours. Point out added insulation, sealed attic hatches, and smart thermostats.
• Share before‑and‑after infrared images if available.
• Use simple charts of seasonal utility averages to show reduced operating costs.

If you plan to sell within a year or two, focus on envelope work first. It improves daily life now and becomes a compelling part of your listing later.

Next steps to lower bills

1. Schedule your Home Energy Squad visit. If your Summit–University home was built before 2000, request the Energy Planner visit for blower‑door testing, infrared imaging, and an insulation assessment scheduling options or the centralized portal Home Energy Squad MN.

2. Let the crew install quick wins during the visit. You will feel the difference right away with LED lighting, weatherstripping, and thermostat tweaks what gets installed.

3. Use your report to plan larger projects. Start with air sealing and attic insulation, then address mechanicals. Expect that envelope improvements often deliver the biggest comfort gains in older homes impact ranges.

4. Tap rebates, financing, and city resources. Your Energy Advisor connects you to current utility rebates, financing, and city programs that may require an HES report as a first step rebate and city context and Saint Paul programs. If you prefer to start remotely, consider a virtual visit option backed by Xcel Energy virtual visits.

When you are ready to connect these upgrades to long‑term plans, including resale, I am here to help. We can prioritize projects, align them with your renovation timeline, and plan how to present them when you list. Let’s connect to map a smart path for your home and your goals.

If you want one-on-one guidance that blends neighborhood insight with listing strategy, reach out to Natasha Cejudo. Let’s connect — start the conversation.

FAQs

What is Home Energy Squad and who runs it?

• It is a Minnesota program delivered by the Center for Energy and Environment and sponsored by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy. Crews install quick fixes, run tests, and create a custom plan with advisor support program overview.

Which visit should I choose for an older Summit–University home?

• Pick the Energy Planner visit for pre‑2000 homes. It includes blower‑door testing, infrared imaging, and an insulation assessment tailored to older houses visit types.

What gets installed during the visit?

• LED bulbs, water‑saving fixtures, weatherstripping, smart or programmable thermostats when compatible, and basic water‑heater adjustments. Older homes also get blower‑door and infrared diagnostics typical measures.

How much can I expect to save?

• Savings vary by home. National guidance suggests air sealing and insulation can cut heating and cooling energy by about 10 to 20 percent, with bigger heating savings in cold climates methodology.

Are there rebates or financing to help pay for upgrades?

• Yes. Utilities offer rebates for insulation, sealing, and equipment, and city or federal incentives may apply. Energy Advisors help match you to rebates and financing and handle next steps rebate overview.

Can I start with a virtual visit?

• Yes. A phone or video visit is available and can be a helpful first step before an in‑home assessment virtual option.

How do I schedule in Saint Paul?

• Use the CEE scheduling page or the centralized portal. Eligibility ties to Xcel and CenterPoint service in your home schedule here or Home Energy Squad MN.