U.P. Energy Resources

Resident. Business Owner. School. Government. Every month the electric bill comes, depending on the season that bill could be very high. What if there were a way to bring your energy bill down?

Energy Management

Energy management is key to reducing the amount of energy you use, whether a single building or ten. Energy management is the process of tracking the energy you use, finding opportunities to reduce the amount of energy needed, take action on those opportunities, and keep monitoring your energy. Through active energy management, you can take control of your electric bill.

Step One: Tracking Energy Usage

The first step is to know how much energy you are using, day to day, month to month, year to year. One way to do this is to set up a free account with ENERGYSTAR Portfolio Manager.

https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/home

https://www.energystar.gov/buildings

Step Two: Become Energy Efficient

The next step is to replace inefficient systems, switch out old lighting to LED bulbs, add insulation, seal windows and doors, replace equipment with ENERGYSTAR certified equipment etc. You can even have an auditor come to your home/business to identify all the areas you can save, how much they will cost, and once those energy efficiencies are made, how much you will save each year.

Energy Efficient Products – https://www.energystar.gov/products

A guide to Energy Audits – https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-20956.pdf

State of Michigan Resources

The State of Michigan has funding opportunities for residents, businesses and communities to help reduce the overall cost of becoming energy efficient:

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Energy & Weatherization – https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5531_62128—,00.html

Michigan Climate and Energy Office Funding Opportunities – https://www.michigan.gov/energy/0,4580,7-364-85455_85516_85523—,00.html

Utility Resources/Rebates/Incentives

Each utility company is required by Michigan Law (SB438) to reduce energy waste, which can be done through a variety of measures.  Each utility offers different energy assessments or audits and incentives, and depending on your utility, you may have access to:

• ENERGYSTAR products like LED bulbs, refrigerators, clothes washers and more;
• Upgrades to your home such as energy-efficient furnaces and better insulation;
• Business or agricultural programs that incentivize installing equipment that improves energy efficiency.

Here in the UP these programs are either offered through the utility or through a provider:

• Efficiency United serves customers of:
  • Baraga Electric Utility
  • Bayfield Electric Cooperative
  • City of Gladstone Department of Power and Light
  • L’Anse Electric Utility
  • Negaunee Department of Public Works
  • City of Norway Department of Power and Light
  • SEMCO Energy Gas Company
  • Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO)
  • We Energies
  • Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
  • Xcel Energy
• Energy Optimization serves customers of:
  • Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association
  • Cloverland Electric Cooperative
  • Daggett Electric Department
  • City of Escanaba
  • Marquette Board of Light and Power
  • Newberry Water and Light Board
  • Ontonagon County Rural Electrification Association
  • City of Stephenson
• DTE Energy
• City of Wakefield

Your utility provider can guide you through the process of making your home or business more energy efficient. Whether it’s finding out which program is right for you, setting up an audit, or locating a trusted contractor, your provider will help you every step of the way to becoming energy efficient.

Step Three: Pursue Renewable Energy

Once your home/building is as efficient as possible, the next step it to pursue renewable energy. There are different options available, but the most common ones are:

• Solar energy – energy that is generated from the sun, such as solar panels
• Geothermal energy – energy that is generated and stored in the earth
• Wind energy – energy that is generated from the wind, such as wind turbines
• Biomass – energy that is generated from organic materials, such as wood
• Hydropower – energy that is generated from water, such as dams

Your utility provider may also offer incentives to upgrade to renewables, but there are other options as well that can help pay/finance renewable upgrades:

On-Bill financing – https://www.energy.gov/eere/slsc/bill-financing-and-repayment-programs

PACE – https://pacenation.us/what-is-pace/

Other Resources

For Residents:

• Smarter House
• 100 Ways to Save Energy
• Tax Credit for Making a Home Energy Efficient
• Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar

For businesses and communities:

• Community Greening – How to Develop a Strategic Energy Plan
• Green Revolving Funds
• Local Energy Efficiency Benefits and Opportunities
• A Guide to Community Shared Solar
• Optimized EV Charger Placement Plan

If you have trouble accessing any of the links or sites above, or if you would like to speak to someone for help, just dial 2-1-1!

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