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
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:
For businesses and communities:
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!
