Energy Conservation/Education

Weatherization

1. What is the goal of the Home Electric Savings Program?
   The goal of the Home Electric Saving Program is to achieve an annual reduction in the amount of electricity used in your home
   
   
2. Who pays for the HESP?
   Xcel Energy pays for the Home Electric Savings Program. All publicly regulated utilities, in the state of Minnesota, are required to spend funds on what are called Conservation Improvement Programs.
   
   
3. Who is eligible to receive the HESP service?
   Households that are income eligible for Energy Assistance are also eligible to receive the HESP service. The customer must also be an Xcel Energy customer and have a current Xcel Energy residential account.
   
   
4. How is the service provided?
   Once eligibility has been determined a Community Action of Minneapolis energy educator will come to your home to provide the service. The energy educator will provide you with free compact fluorescent lights, other free energy savings items and will talk to you about ways you can reduce the amount of electricity that is used in your home. The energy  educator will also look at the appliances in your home and determine how much energy your appliances are consuming.
   
   
5. What appliances can be replaced?
   Xcel Energy considers refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners to be the three largest consumers of electricity in a customer’s home. Xcel Energy will provide, free of charge, new ENERGY STAR, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners.
   
   
6. How can I receive the ENERGY STAR appliances?
   If the energy educator determines that your old appliance is at least ten years old and or in bad working condition the old appliance can be traded in for a new ENERGY STAR appliance. You must have an old inefficient appliance to trade in to receive the new ENERGY STAR appliance.
   
   
7. How many appliances can I receive?
   Each household is eligible to receive one of each of the appliances offered through the service with the trade in of the old appliance.
   
   
   
8. What happens if I have problems with the new appliance?
   All of the new ENERGY STAR appliances received through the service come with  a one year, free of charge, warranty on all parts and labor. Warranty starts on the day of delivery to the customer.
   
   
9. How long does it take to receive the new appliances?
   It can take 6 to 6 weeks from the date the appliance is completed to receive the new appliance.
   
   
10. What type of air conditioners are provide through the service?
    Xcel Energy will provide funding for window and wall air conditioner replacements. Central Air Conditioners are not included.
    
    
11. What is the size of the new air conditioners?
    Window air conditioners are 8,000 BTUs. This is large enough to cool approximately 400 square ft. Wall air conditioners are 10,000 BTU and able to cool approximately 600 sq, ft.
    
    
12. What is the size of the new ENERGY STAR refrigerator?
    The standard refrigerator replacement in the HESP service is a frost free, 18.2 cubic ft. We can also provide a smaller unit if there are limitations of space in your home.
    
    
13. What is the size of the new ENERGY STAR freezer?
    The standard freezer replacement is a 7.1 cubic ft. chest freezer. It is a manual defrost appliance.
    
    
14. Can I receive an ice maker with my new refrigerator?
    Xcel Energy does not provide ice makers with the new refrigerator. It is also up to the customer to disassemble the ice maker on an old refrigerator before the new appliance can be brought into the home.
    

Compact Florescent Lights

1. Why should people use Compact Florescent Lights?  (CFLs)
   Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front and provide a quick return on investment
   
   If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars.
   
   
2. How do CFLs work?
   CFLs work much like standard fluorescent lamps. They consist of two parts: a gas- filled tube, and a magnetic or electric ballast. The gas in the tube glows with ultraviolet light when electricity from the ballast flows through it. This in turn excites a white phosphor coating on the inside of the tube, which emits visible light throughout the surface of the tube.
   
   
3. Do CFLs contain mercury?
   CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams  - about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount.
   
   
4. What is mercury?
   Mercury is an element naturally found in environment. Mercury emissions in the air can come fr5om both natural and man – made sources. Coal – fired power plants are the largest man -  made source because mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to make electricity.  Coal - fired power generation accounts for roughly 40 percent of the mercury emissions in the U.S.

Energy Programs

Energy Assistance

1. How do I get an application to apply for assistance?  
   You can call (612) 335-5837 to request an application or stop by our offices located at 2104 Park Ave So in Minneapolis, and 2100 Plymouth Ave N. You can also download an application on our website at http://www.campls.org/.
   
   
2.  What documents do I need to include with my application?
   - Previous three months gross income of all household members with income
   - Copy of gas and electric bills
   - Copy of lease if both gas and electric is included in rent
   
   
3. Does Energy Assistance pay my bill each month?
   No. You may only receive assistance once per heating season. Energy Assistance runs from October thru May 31st.
   
   
4. Does my utility service have to be disconnected before I can apply for Energy Assistance?
   No. However, it is always a good idea to submit your application before your reach this point.
   
   
5. Does my utility bill have to be listed in my name?
   The bill must be in your name or in an adult living in your household.
   If you are a renter and the bills are in your landlord’s name we can pay on behalf of the landlord.
   
   
6. I qualify for assistance, how are the payments made to my utility company?
   Your energy assistance payments will be made directly to your utility provider in four installments. You may also be eligible for additional money through our crisis program of up to $500.00.
   
   
7. Does Energy Assistance pay for water, sewer or phone utility service?
   No. The purpose of the Energy Assistance program is to assist low-income individuals and households pay their energy bill (heating) only.
   
   
8. How long will it take?
   It may take up to 60 days to process your application.  Continue to pay your bills while waiting for a decision on your application.  If your bills are overdue or you are in danger of running out of fuel, contact your heat or utility company to set up a payment plan.  Let them know you have applied for Energy Assistance.
   
   
9. How often can I receive Energy Assistance? 
   You can receive one grant each season between October 1st and May 31st.
   
   
10.  How are Heating Energy grants calculated?
    Energy Assistance grants is calculated using a point system which considers: income, household size, and consumption.    A grant will automatically be generated in the system.
    
    
11. Do I qualify if I live in Section 8 or subsidized rental housing?
    If heat and electricity is included in your rent, you do not qualify for heating Assistance. If you are in section 8 or receive any subsidy for your rent, and you are responsible for any utility, (gas/lights/oil) you are eligible to receive an Energy Assistance grant.
    
    
12. Can I apply for Energy Assistance if I do not live in the home?
    No.  You must live in the home to qualify.
    
    
13. Can I transfer my grant?
    Once you have received your grant, it cannot be transferred unless you have moved to an area that is served by a different heat/electric company.   Contact the Energy Assistance office if you move so we can help you transfer your grant. 

EBA/Assurance 16 – Emergency Benefit Assistance

Self-Sufficiency Programs

Self-Sufficiency

1.  Can you find me a job?
   We do not provide job placement services, but we can help you with creating your resume and give you information on any job leads that we receive.
   
   
2. Do you have housing available?
   Sorry, we don’t provide housing, but we can give you housing leads or assist you with filling out applications.
   
   
3. Will you pay for me to go back to school?
   We provide support services to participants in the program that is related to goals in their Family Action Plan, however, each person is given a specific amount, so if they choose to use their support services money for school that is up to them.
   
   
4. What will I get out of the program?
   We have many successful graduates who have completed their education, found livable wage employment, and gotten their families back on track.  You will get out of the program what you put into the program. This program is what you make of it, so when you’re setting your goals just know that they are your goals your life, we are here to support you with any decisions you make whether you succeed or fail.

1. What are the requirements to be part of the program?
   You must be between the ages of 16-19, a Minneapolis resident, and meet income eligibility guidelines.
   
   
2. How long is the program?
   The program is divided into 4 phases:
1. In phase 1 you will do a total of 48 hours of in classroom training.
2. You will do 16 total hours of in store training which is phase 2.
3. After the 16 hours of in store training has been completed a select number of youth will be hired on to work as employees at our Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop, which is phase 3.
   
4. Phase 4 gives youth employees the opportunity to gain even more work experience by being transferred from our ice cream shop to another business who we have partnered with.
   
   
3. Do you find jobs for us if we do not get hired at Ben & Jerry’s?
   We work together to locate and apply for other employment opportunities.  We also work on skills, either life or employment, that may have prevented you from getting hired at Ben & Jerry’s.
   
   
4. What will we learn in phase 1, the in classroom training?
   We work on many different interpersonal topics as well as soft skills. Soft skills includes: working in a team, decision making, problem solving, listening, etc. In class you will also develop a resume, as well as learn proper interview techniques.  You will also learn how to conduct a job search as well as how to conduct yourself as an employee.