Prairie Island Indian Community

To see full details, please refer to the EnergyWise Program Guide.

Yes, for eligible PIIC members, both the home energy audit and any PIIC-approved energy-saving upgrades are provided at no cost to you. This initiative is part of our community's commitment to energy conservation and Net Zero carbon emissions. 

A home energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of your home's energy use. Trained energy professionals will examine various aspects of your home, including insulation, heating and cooling systems, appliances, and lighting to identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved. 

Please ensure an adult is at home during the energy audit. If you can, we encourage you to do the following to get the most out of your audit: 
 

1) Ensure easy access to key areas 

• Clear paths to your attic, basement, and crawl spaces. 

• Move furniture away from exterior walls and heating/cooling vents. 

• Ensure your electrical panel and water heater are easily accessible. 

• If you have pets, plan to keep them in a secure area during the audit. 

Why this helps: This allows the auditors to thoroughly inspect all areas of your home without any obstructions, ensuring a comprehensive assessment. 
 

2) Create a list of concerns and observations 

• Walk through your home and note any issues you've noticed: 

  • Drafty windows or doors 

  • Rooms that are too hot or cold 

  • Appliances that seem to use a lot of energy 

  • Any unusual noises from your heating or cooling system 

• Write down questions you have about your home's energy use. 

Why this helps: Your observations provide valuable insights to the auditors, allowing them to focus on specific problem areas in your home. 
 

Optional: If you use propane for heat, gather your energy bills 

• If you use propane for heat, we encourage you to collect your energy bills from the past 12 months. 

• If you don't have paper copies, log into your online accounts to access your billing history, if possible. 

• Make note of any unusual spikes in energy use or costs. 

Why this helps: These records give the auditors a clear picture of your energy consumption patterns, helping them identify potential areas for improvement. 

Remember: The more prepared you are, the more you'll get out of your free energy audit! 

PIIC has hired the nonprofit Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to deliver the PIIC EnergyWise Program. CEE will perform home energy audits and oversee subcontractors who will implement energy upgrades in PIIC Tribal Member homes.

CEE has nearly 15 years of experience performing this work for many homes and communities across Minnesota, including delivering a similar energy audit program for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. They are energy experts and are held to high industry standards for their work performance. Any observations they make or work they perform at your home will be strictly limited to energy-related items necessary for the EnergyWise Program and the data they collect will be securely maintained. 

A typical home energy audit takes about 2–3 hours. The process is non-invasive and shouldn't significantly disrupt your daily activities. An adult needs to be present for the entire visit.  

Depending on the audit results, upgrades could include improved attic insulation and insulation, wall insulation, new energy efficient heating and cooling systems, and efficient water heaters. Project upgrades like adding air source heat pumps for space heating, heat pump clothes dryers, and induction stoves may also be considered if the core efficiency needs are already met in the home.

Air source heat pumps are incredibly efficient and go a long way to enhance your home’s efficiency. The specific upgrades will be tailored to your home's needs and only done with your input and permission. Read the Program Guide to learn more. 

This might vary based on your home’s needs, but the goal is to improve your home’s energy efficiency with your permission and without charging you for the work. After the audit, we will give you an audit summary report, including findings and recommendations for energy upgrades, including the associated energy savings for the upgrades.   

If you want to move forward with the work, contractors will complete the recommendations approved by PIIC (within our budget) and chosen by you as the homeowner. The work is paid for through the EnergyWise Program, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for you. When the work is done, we will conduct a final inspection to ensure that your new energy upgrades work well for you! 

The upgrades available to you will depend on the audit findings and what will benefit you and your home most. Upgrades PIIC will approve for your home may include some or all of these, which you can read more about at the links below:

• Air sealing
• Attic insulation and air sealing
• Wall insulation
• Cold-climate air source heat pump

If an air source heat pump was recommended for your home, consider looking at the Minnesota Air Source Heat Pump Collaborative, website. This program is another program by CEE, the EnergyWise implementer, and it has several articles on the benefits of heat pumps, how heat pumps work, and more.

These upgrades will help your home stay at a consistent and comfortable temperature, reduce mold or moisture issues, improve the indoor air quality, prevent increases in your energy bills, and help your home be more in harmony with the earth, securing a better future for the next generation.

Savings can vary widely depending on your current energy use and the upgrades implemented. However, some households may see considerable reductions in their energy bills after implementing the recommendations from an energy audit. Plus, you'll be contributing to our community's Net Zero efforts!

PIIC Tribal Members can make additional energy improvements to your homes that are not approved by PIIC or covered through the EnergyWise Program. You would do so by contracting directly with any relevant contractor to perform the work; for example, members may choose to use the same contractors performing work through the PIIC program for other activities they contract and pay for themselves.