Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota dwellers are advised to change their furnace filter every 30 to 60 days during the winter because more air is being drawn through the filter. The denser the filter, the more often it should be changed.

NEW ULM — Minnesota renters and homeowners may not even realize they can qualify for a variety of energy assistance programs including a free furnace.

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold and Gov. Tim Walz urged low-income Minnesotans Monday to seek financial aid to keep their furnace on or increase residence insulation this winter.

Walz said thought the issue is people believing they don’t quality for help.

Eligibility is based on income and household size. A family of four could earn up to $62,822 annually and qualify to receive financial assistance with energy bills.

Energy bill payments are sent directly to a household’s energy provider of fuel including propane, fuel oil, natural gas or wood. Initial benefits average $500 a household and could be as much as $1,400.

Minnesota’s federally-funded energy assistance program provided $34 million to 59,000 households this fall, up from 40,000 households last year. Many households receiving assistance are senior citizens or those with families or disabilities.

Minnesota winter heating costs for 2023-24 are forecast to average $23 a month less than last year, due to higher natural gas supply levels.

Minnesota’s cold weather rule, a state law, means utility customers that rent or own homes can’t have their electric or natural gas service shut off from Oct. 1 to April 30, as long as they’re on a payment plan.

New Ulm Public Utilities Commission (NUPUC) Energy Services Representative Derek Nelson urged residents to call the New Ulm Public Utilities Finance Dept. to set up a payment plan to ensure their utilities are not turned off.

Nelson said there are many assistance programs for low-income residents.

“The Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) in Mankato works with people. People can call me with assistance questions and what we offer here,” Nelson said. “The MVAC (a non-profit community action agency, providing resources and opportunities to empower people in low-wage work in Brown, Blue Earth, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan counties) works with people.”

Energy bills can be cut by adding insulation and other efforts listed in Minnesota’s Weatherization Assistance Program that aids low-income residents with free improvements.

Thanks to added funding from the Legislature’s last session and the federal government, the program will be expanded this year to help more Minnesotans.

Qualifying households can receive an energy audit to determine if weatherization is needed. An auditor will look for opportunities to make a home more energy efficient by sealing air leaks, adding insulation and checking if the furnace is working correctly.

Energy upgrades include exterior wall and attic insulation, air leakage reduction, furnace, boiler and water heater repair or replacement and ideas to help reduce home energy use such as using a programmable thermostat.

Weatherization income guidelines are based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines as of Feb. 3, 2023 or eligibility for assistance under the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) of 50% of State Median Income (effective Oct. 1, 2023), whichever is more. Applications for this winter must be received by May 31, 2023.

Bill payment assistance is also available through the Minnesota Valley Action Council’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Call 507-508-4041 or visit the office at 1618 S. Broadway, New Ulm.

Minnesota dwellers are advised to change furnace filters every 30 to 60 days, rather than the standard once every three months because more air may be drawn through their filters with increased use. The denser the filter, the more often it should be changed.

The City of New Ulm offers residential energy rebates for furnace checks and cleaning and rebates for new Energy Star appliances.

Commercial/industrial rebates include high efficiency lighting, commercial motor and district energy/steam rebates.

Fillable quick-links include energy star rebates for residential lights, ceiling fans and appliances. Other rebate links are for Wi-Fi enabled Smart thermostats, water heaters, central air conditioning, furnaces and boilers, central air conditioning/furnace and boiler checks and cleaning. For more information, visit https://www.newulmmn.org/.

New Ulm Public Utilities offers 2023 LED Holiday Light rebate applications. To apply, visit https://www.newulmmn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2413/2023-Holiday. Call 507-233-2110 for more information.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy website at https://mn.gov/commerce/. Apply online at https://energy-assistance.web.commmerce.state.mn.us/ Request an application by mail at /commerce/energy/consumer-assistance/energy-assistance program/apply-by-mail.jsp.