1. Sign up for a city-discounted Home Energy Squad "planner" visit

With a Home Energy Squad “planner” visit, energy experts will identify places your home is losing energy, install energy-saving materials such as LED light bulbs and weather stripping, and assist with identifying high priority projects and next steps. Residents of St. Louis Park qualify for a 50% discount on Home Energy Squad visits. Income qualified residents are eligible for free visits. Sign up online or call 651.328.6220 to get started.

Note: Home Energy Squad “planner” visits are required. Residents who complete a Home Energy Squad "saver" visit are not eligible until they receive a “planner” visit.

2. Apply to the Climate Champions cost share

After your visit, Home Energy Squad staff will share top priority projects for saving energy and money in your home, as well as share resources regarding contractors and rebates.

Once you complete your Home Energy Squad “planner” visit, you will be eligible for the Climate Champions for homes cost-share program and can complete the online application (see the how to apply tab on this page). Preapproval prior to project completion is required in order to obtain cost share funding. At this point, you will also be able to indicate your interest in the city’s bonus rooftop solar reimbursement.

See the cost-sharing amounts tab on this page for more information on eligible projects and cost-share amounts.

3. Get recognized

Once a project is completed using the Climate Champions for Homes cost share, you’ll be recognized as a St. Louis Park Climate Champion for helping the city achieve our Climate Action Plan goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. You’ll receive a Climate Champions window cling, be listed on the city website, and recognized in the quarterly Park Perspective newsletter.

Below are the eligibility requirements for homes to participate in the cost-share program:

• Applicant must own a current one to four-unit residential property or be a condominium owners with their own CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy accounts, within the City of St. Louis Park. 
• A Home Energy Squad “planner” visit must be completed within 36 months of and before beginning any work eligible for cost-sharing funds. The dated Home Energy Squad report must be attached to the preapproval application.
• Applicants must receive a rebate from Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy to qualify or complete an eligible electrification project. Eligible projects include:
  • Natural/fossil gas furnaces rated at least 97% efficient*
  • Air conditioners
  • Attic air sealing
  • Attic air sealing or insulation
  • Wall insulation
  • Ground source heat pump**
  • Cold climate air source heat pump (ducted or ductless)*
  • Heat pump water heaters**

*When installed as a back-up/dual-fuel heat source in conjunction with a cold climate heat pump, 96% efficient furnaces may qualify.  

**Only heat pumps that are eligible for and receive Xcel Energy's rebate for cold climate air source heat pumps qualify for the Climate Champions cost share funding. These requirements can be viewed on their website or are as follows: Cold climate heat pumps must meet certain SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 requirements (depending if it is air source or mini-split); have a low temperature heating efficiency of COP ≥ 1.75 at 5°F; be listed on NEEP’s Cold Climate ASHP List; and the heating capacity at 5°F must be at least 70% of the 47°F rated heating capacity.

Eligibility criteria for environmental justice rate 

Our eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate has changed, and you may qualify for a higher cost share rate if you or someone in your household meets one or more of the below criteria: 

• My household income is at or below the following annual adjusted gross incomes*, based on household size:
  • 1 member household: $68,500
  • 2-member household: $78,250
  • 3-member household: $88,050
  • 4-member household: $97,800
  • 5-member household: $105,650
  • 6-member household: $113,450
  • 7-member household: $121,300
  • 8-member household: $129,100
• Participates in a government assistance program such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• Is 65 years of age or older
• Identifies as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color
• Has a mental or physical disability
• Is a veteran

Note: Our eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate* has changed. Our updated criteria can be found on the eligibility requirements tab.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) rate

• 25% or 50% of total eligible utility rebate

25% rebate match

Any property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a 97% or higher AFUE furnace or air conditioner rebate.

50% rebate match

Any property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for a 97% or higher AFUE furnace or air conditioner rebate, and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria). 

Attic or wall insulation rate

• 50% or 100% of total eligible utility rebate

50% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for an attic air sealing (with or without insulation) or wall insulation project.

100% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for an attic air sealing (with or without insulation) or wall insulation project and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria). 

Electrification projects 

The following electrification incentives are subject to change, due to upcoming funding from state and federal offices for heat pump technology. Please subscribe to our Climate Action Plan newsletter and check this webpage for updates. Additional resources on how to electrify your home can be found at www.electrifyeverythingmn.org or by consulting with a free Energy Advisor at 612.244.2486 or through their contact form. 

Cold climate** air source heat pump (ducted or ductless) or ground source heat pump

• 50% or 100% rebate match 

50% rebate match 

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a cold climate air source heat pump or ground source heat pump project.

100% rebate match 

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for a cold climate air source heat pump or ground source heat pump project and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria). 

Heat pump water heater

• 100% or 150% rebate match 

100% rebate match 

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a heat pump/hybrid water heater project.

150% rebate match 

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for a heat pump/hybrid water heater project and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria). 

Note: While we try to fund all projects, funds are limited. Priority will be given to projects that qualify for the environmental justice rate if more than one project is competing for any final fund balance. To see if you qualify for the environmental justice rate, see the updated criteria on the eligibility requirements tab.  

* The City of St. Louis Park is committed to environmental justice and race equity. Visit the racial equity and inclusion page to learn more about the city's race equity efforts.

**At this time, all cold climate heat pumps will qualify for the city’s cost-share program. Note that in order to qualify for some federal incentives, cold climate air source heat pumps must meet certain minimum efficiency criteria. Talk to your installer about the requirements before selecting your equipment. The city is not responsible for any resident’s ineligibility for federal tax incentives or rebates. If you are unsure if your equipment will qualify for Climate Champions for Homes, please reach out to program staff.

To sign up for a discounted Home Energy Squad “planner” visit, sign up online or call 651.328.6220 to get started. The city discount will be applied automatically when you sign up.

To apply for the cost-share program, complete the online Climate Champions cost share application.  Make sure to upload and attach the Home Energy Squad “planner” report and a completed W-9 form to the application.

You will be notified of your application status within 15 business days of receipt.

Below is the program process, after applications are submitted and approved.

1. Begin design or construction

After your application has been approved, you must begin design and/or construction no more than 36 months after receiving a program acceptance email. If you don't communicate delays of more than 180 days to the city, the city may reallocate the funding to another project. If you're unsure if your exact equipment will qualify, please make sure to send specifications to sustainability staff.

2. Submit rebate checks

Submit a copy of your utility rebate check(s) to erabine@stlouisparkmn.gov by Dec. 31, 2024.

3. Receive cost-share payments

Cost share payment will be issued to the applicant within 60 business days of receiving the required documentation.

4. Program recognition

A window cling will also be mailed to the applicant when cost-share payments are issued.

The applicant will be listed in the quarterly Park Perspective newsletter. They will also be recognized on the city’s website and social media, unless the applicant requests otherwise.

The following are the program rules and procedures:

• The City of St. Louis Park reserves the right to revoke the funding if the property owner or contractor violates program rules and procedures.
• Funds are allocated based on what’s approved in the application. In the event the project size increases or decreases, the applicant is responsible for working with their contractor(s) to submit an updated application to the city. Any additional cost-share funds must be approved by the city's program administrator.
• The applicant is responsible for arranging all upfront project financing.
• Check with your tax preparer to find out if there are tax implications of receiving cost-share funds. Additional details on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits and rebates can be found on this IRS Fact Sheet.
• Applicant must complete their energy audit and receive their report prior to applying for construction permits.
• Preapproval of your project is required to obtain cost-share funding.
• All work must meet City of St. Louis Park, state, regional and national zoning, building and fire codes.
• The City of St. Louis Park can't recommend specific contractors.
• The applicant is strongly encouraged to verify the contractor’s qualifications. To verify the status of licenses, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's website or call DLI at 651.284.5069.
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring that product purchases, equipment purchase, installation or other work proposed have been completed satisfactorily before paying the contractor(s).
• Staff will verify environmental justice cost rate eligibility through self-certification form included in the Climate Champions application. 

What happened to the old residential rebate matching program?

The Energy Efficiency Residential Rebate matching program was phased out in favor of Climate Champions for Homes. This program provides higher incentives for residents to complete energy efficiency projects in their home, provides them with the means to gain a better understanding of their energy use and offers the potential of a solar cost share bonus!

I completed my energy improvements last year but didn't get a Home Energy Squad “planner” visit first. Can I still qualify for the cost share?

No. A Home Energy Squad “planner” visit must be completed within 36 months of and prior to commencing any work eligible for cost-sharing funds.

Where do I find resources on what incentives are available to me for electrifying or weatherizing my home? 

There are a variety of resources available to help navigate energy incentives. For guidance on completing weatherization or electrification projects, as well as lining up resources, visit www.electrifyeverythingmn.org or reach out to a free Energy Advisor at 612.244.2486 or through their contact form. Rewiring America's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) calculator is also a helpful tool to calculate what rebates and tax credits may be available to you. 

I'm a condominium owner. Am I eligible for this program? 

Individual condominium owners that have their own CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy accounts and are responsible for their individual HVAC equipment are eligible for the Climate Champions for Homes program. Condominium properties with 5+ units that plan to complete whole-building or common area projects are required to complete a Multi-Family Building Efficiency program audit and go through the Climate Champions for Multifamily program.