Put $1 in, get $4 back: How's that for an investment?

Conserving proves to save big bucks

Why it matters: Saving energy is not only has environmental benefits but it saves money, a new report confirms.

Mankato Free Press
Friday, October 30, 2015 6:00 am

Energy conservation always has made economic sense. The less energy you use, the less you have to pay for. That’s why grandpas through the ages have ordered children to turn off the lights when they leave the room.

Now a state program designed around that concept has proof that it’s saving big bucks.

Minnesota’s Conservation Improvement Program generates at least $4 in benefits for every dollar invested, according to an analysis released this week by the Minnesota Commerce Department. The program, funded and administered by more than 180 utilities, helps households and businesses reduce consumption of electricity and natural gas.

The program helps customers help themselves. The utilities offer residents energy audits and incentives for energy-related improvements, including rebates for high-efficiency lighting and appliances such as furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters, as well as insulation and air sealing.

For business customers, rebates are offered for such things as high-efficiency boilers and lighting control systems. The utilities also provide design assistance for energy-efficient buildings and technical assistance to reduce the energy intensity of manufacturing processes, the commerce department said.

These incentives help get energy customers on track to conserving and thinking about future methods to save energy and money. Even if that simply means shopping for an Energy Star appliance the next time one needs replacing, it’s another step toward reducing energy use.

(Continued here.)