The Prairie Island Indian Community is proud to offer the EnergyWise Program!
Designed to help PIIC community members lower their energy bills while improving home comfort and efficiency, homeowners on the PIIC reservation can receive a no-cost home energy audit and energy upgrades for their home. Certified experts will evaluate your home’s energy use and identify opportunities to enhance its energy efficiency. Then, we will install the PIIC-approved upgrades desired by the homeowner at no-cost to you. The goal is to provide long-term savings and support healthier, more sustainable living environments for our community.
Participating in this program goes beyond reducing energy consumption. By making your home more energy efficient, you are also contributing to the well-being of your family and the environment. Energy efficient and electrified homes maintain consistent indoor temperatures, reduce mold and moisture issues, and improve air quality — factors that can significantly impact respiratory health and overall comfort.
Plus, the upgrades provided through the program align with our values of living in harmony with the earth and securing a better future for the next generation.
During the audit, a certified expert will assess your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, and other areas where energy may be wasted. Based on the audit, you could receive recommendations for energy-saving upgrades, such as better insulation or new energy efficient appliances, at no cost to you. This program is an easy and impactful way to save money and contribute to the resilience and sustainability of our community.
If you’d like to sign up for visit, fill out the form and the program team will contact you to schedule your energy audit.
Learn more about our program
Learn more about this program by watching the recording from the Community Meeting held on October 15, 2024.
What is typically done during an audit?
- Assess and adjust water heater temperature
- Perform a blower door test to measure your home for air leaks
- Complete an insulation inspection of your home using an infrared camera
- Perform a safety test on your home’s heating system and water heater
- Determine next steps for energy improvements for your home
The visit is done at no cost to you and takes 2 to 3 hours to complete. To learn more, see our FAQs. Rest assured that the energy audit and upgrade work will be conducted by certified energy experts and any observations made or work performed at your home will be strictly limited to energy-related items necessary for the EnergyWise Program.
Questions about the EnergyWise Program?
If you have questions or concerns about your visit, reach out to Ainai Xiong at
Axiong@mncee.org or 612-455-7887.
You can also review the EnergyWise Program Guide for details.
Sign Up for a Free Energy Audit
If you are interested in having an audit, please sign up and we will contact you to schedule your visit.
Designed to help you improve your home’s comfort and reduce energy bills, this program will provide a professional home energy audit to identify ways to enhance your home’s energy efficiency and, if eligible, have new energy-saving equipment installed at no-cost to you.
New site-built homes or new manufactured homes on the PIIC reservation are eligible for rebates when you make energy efficient choices and investments during the construction or purchase process. However, new homes are not eligible for an Energy Audit.
See the EnergyWise Program Guide for details.
FAQ + What To Expect
Got questions? No problem! See below for a list of questions and answers to ease your mind. You can can also reach out to Danielle with questions. dhauck@mncee.org or 651-789-5700.
To see full details, please refer to the EnergyWise Program Guide.
Key steps a PIIC community member will take, by participating in the PIIC EnergyWise Program, are shown below. Note: if you do NOT have an existing home and instead plan to purchase/build a home on a new land assignment, you will be eligible for energy rebates rather than an energy audit and upgrades; refer to Q.1 for more information.
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.
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.
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 contractors 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 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.
Depending on the audit results, upgrades could include improved insulation, new energy efficient heating and cooling systems and efficient water heaters. Project upgrades like adding air source heat pumps for space heating and 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. Visit the Program Guide to learn more.
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!
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 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!
PIIC has hired Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to deliver the PIIC EnergyWise Program, including overseeing the implementation of energy upgrades in PIIC Tribal Member homes. CEE will hire subcontractors who specialize in certain trades and systems (such as HVAC, windows, etc.) to perform any relevant upgrades in member homes. These subcontractors will be held to high industry standards for their work performance.
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 home which are not approved by PIIC and covered through the EnergyWise Program. Members 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/pay for themselves.
To sign up for a visit, fill out the form below. We will confirm that you are eligible for the program and contact you promptly to schedule your audit.
We’re excited to share that the EnergyWise Program is offering rebates for new homes at Oyate Place!
Building or purchasing a new home gives you the unique opportunity to integrate energy-efficient technology into your home from the very beginning.
Please take a couple of minutes to fill out brief online survey to help us understand where you are in your new homes process.
Whether you are designing a site-built home or you are purchasing a newly manufactured home, your answers will help us understand when you might be ready to consider some of the new homes rebate options.
New Homes Rebates
Through the EnergyWise Program, Members who are building new site-built homes or who are purchasing new manufactured homes are eligible for rebates when energy efficient choices and investments are made during the construction or assembly process.
Members who purchase a previously owned manufactured home can participate in the existing homes pathway.
Members with new homes can earn a maximum of $6,000 in rebates. Members with new homes can earn rebates in one of two ways:
Download, print, and complete the New Homes Rebate Form Here!
Whole Home Certification Rebates:
Whole Home Certifications for New Homes | Rebate |
---|---|
Energy Star Certified Manufactured Homes or Site Built Homes | $6,000 |
DOE Zero Energy Ready Site Built Homes | $6,000 |
Project Based Rebates:
Heating and Cooling | Required Specifications | Rebate |
---|---|---|
High Efficiency Furnace (Gas) | At least 96% AFUE | $500 |
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (Electric) | at least 8.1 HSPF2 | $5,000 |
Air Source Heat Pump (Electric) | at least 7.5 HSPF2 | $3,000 |
Water Heating | Required Specifications | Rebate |
Heat Pump Water Heater (Electric) | Energy Star rated or AHRI listed | $500 |
Appliances – Electric Only | ||
Energy Star Clothes Washer | Energy Star rated | $50 |
Energy Star Clothes Dryer | Energy Star rated | $50 |
Energy Star Refrigerator | Energy Star rated | $50 |
Energy Star Induction Stove | Energy Star rated | $200 |
Whole Home Certificate Details:
- If the Whole Home Certificate is earned, the home is not eligible to receive the project-based rebates.
- Members are able to reach out the New Homes Team at the Center for Energy and Environment for assistance earning these certificates.
Project Based Rebates are rebates are available to:
The owners of new site-built homes when the project is completed by a contractor during construction or when the owner can demonstrate that they’ve purchased qualifying Energy Star Appliances for their new home.
The owners of newly assembled manufactured homes when they purchase qualifying equipment for the assembly process or install an eligible Energy Star appliance during or after the assembly process.
New Homes Rebate Application
Download, print, and complete the New Homes Rebate Form Here!
While there’s no deadline to apply, we encourage you to apply shortly after you complete the project.
Do you have questions about the rebates? Need some guidance on your energy updates?
Contact Danielle Hauck at CEE 651-789-5700 or dhauck@mncee.org.
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is seeking qualified contractors to provide any of the following services for the Prairie Island Indian Community’s (PIIC) Home Energy Program.
- Radon mitigation
- Lead remediation
- Asbestos remediation
- Plumbing repairs
CEE is the hired implementer for this program and is responsible for contracting with licensed contractors to perform this work within the Prairie Island Indian Community.
Responses are due Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m.
To learn more or to respond to our Request for Proposal (RFP), read the steps below. Read all linked material and complete the linked Intake Questionnaire.
Read the Request for Proposal (EFP) Summary and Other Shared Materials
This summary provides details on
- The Home Energy Program offered by the Prairie Island Indian Community
- The scope of work and contractor requirements
- Necessary details for the application process
Submit Questions to CEE by Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Any contractor interested in this work can submit questions to CEE before submitting their full response. Any questions submitted to CEE by this date will be posted on this website by Thursday, August 28 at 5:00 p.m. This step is optional.
Complete the Intake Questionnaire
Tell us more about your company and your company’s capacity to be a part of this program by completing this online questionnaire.
Submit Your Full Response by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m.
Your response should include the submitted Intake Questionnaire and other requested materials as listed in the RFP Overview. The other requested materials should be emailed to Danielle Hauck (dhauck@mncee.org) by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m.
All requested materials except the online Intake Questionnaire should be emailed to Danielle Hauck (dhauck@mncee.org) by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m.
Note that the Summary references this document: PIIC Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO). CEE is providing a link to it here in the event that the links within the document do not work as expected.
Our Partners
“This program is provided by the Prairie Island Indian Community and administered by the local nonprofit, Center for Energy and Environment, on behalf of the community. PIIC has received financial assistance from EPA (via Assistance Agreement), HUD, Dakota Electric Association, and Xcel Energy for this program.”