Climate Champions for Homes

1. Sign up for a city-discounted Home Energy Squad "planner" visit

With a Home Energy Squad "planner" visit, energy experts will identify places your home is losing energy, install energy-saving materials such as LED light bulbs and weather stripping, and assist with identifying high-priority projects and next steps. Residents of St. Louis Park qualify for a 50% discount on Home Energy Squad visits. Income-qualified residents are eligible for free visits. Sign up online or call 651.328.6220 to get started.

Note: Home Energy Squad "planner" visits are required. Residents who complete a Home Energy Squad "saver" visit are not eligible until they receive a "planner" visit.

2. Apply to the Climate Champions cost share

After your visit, Home Energy Squad staff will share top priority projects for saving energy and money in your home, as well as share resources regarding contractors and rebates.

Once you complete your Home Energy Squad "planner" visit, you will be eligible for the Climate Champions for homes cost-share program and can complete the online application (see the how to apply tab on this page). Preapproval before project completion is required in order to obtain cost-share funding. See the cost-sharing amounts tab on this page for more information on eligible projects and cost-share amounts.

Please note that 2026 cost share program funds have been fully allocated and the program administrator is only accepting applications for the waitlist. Applicants who apply and are pre-approved will need to wait to start their project until they receive notice of funding availability.

3. Get recognized

Once a project is completed using the Climate Champions for Homes cost share, you'll be recognized as a St. Louis Park Climate Champion for helping the city achieve our Climate Action Plan goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. You'll receive a Climate Champions window cling, be listed on the city's website, and recognized in the quarterly Park Perspective newsletter.

Below are the eligibility requirements for homes to participate in the cost-share program:

• Applicants must complete their project within six months of receiving a program pre-approval email. After six months, the funding may be reallocated to another project.
• Applicant must own a current one- to four-unit residential property or be a condominium owner with their own CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy accounts, within the City of St. Louis Park.
• A Home Energy Squad "planner" visit must be completed within 36 months of and before beginning any work eligible for cost-sharing funds. The dated Home Energy Squad report must be attached to the preapproval application.*
• Applicants must receive a rebate from Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy to qualify. Eligible projects include:
  • Attic air sealing
  • Attic air sealing or insulation
  • Wall insulation
  • Ground source heat pump**
  • Cold climate air source heat pump (ducted or ductless)**
  • 96%+ AFUE natural gas furnace***
  • Heat pump water heaters
• Any projects that were completed before receiving preapproval are not eligible to be placed on the waitlist.

*Projects completed within the past six months may be considered for program eligibility retroactively. A preapproval application and a Home Energy Squad "planner" visit must be completed before city funds will be released. Contact Sustainability Specialist, Ellie Rabine, at erabine@stlouisparkmn.gov or 952.924.2131 to learn more. Because funds are limited, projects completed more than six months ago are not eligible for program funds. 

**Only heat pumps that are eligible for and receive Xcel Energy's rebate for cold climate air source heat pumps qualify for the Climate Champions cost-share funding. View the requirements on Xcel Energy's website or are as follows:

• Cold climate heat pumps must meet certain SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 requirements (depending if it is air source or mini-split)
• Have a low temperature heating efficiency of COP ≥ 1.75 at 5°F
• Be listed on NEEP’s Cold Climate ASHP List
• Heating capacity at 5°F must be at least 70% of the 47°F rated heating capacity

***Standalone natural gas furnaces are not eligible for this program. They must be installed alongside a cold-climate air source heat pump and be used for back-up or supplemental heat.

Eligibility criteria for environmental justice rate

You may qualify for a higher cost-share rate if you or someone in your household meets one or more of the below criteria:

• My household income is at or below the following annual adjusted gross incomes*, based on household size:
  • 1 member household: $73,650
  • 2-member household: $84,200
  • 3-member household: $94,700
  • 4-member household: $105,200
  • 5-member household: $113,650
  • 6-member household: $122,050
  • 7-member household: $130,450
  • 8-member household: $138,900
• Participates in a government assistance program such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• Is 65 years of age or older
• Has a mental or physical disability
• Is a veteran

* Income limits are set by the Metropolitan Council and are adjusted annually in the spring. Your annual adjusted gross income (AGI) can be found on your most recently filed federal income tax return.

The following electrification incentives are subject to change, due to upcoming funding from state and federal offices for heat pump technology. Subscribe to our Climate Action Plan newsletter and check this webpage for updates. Additional resources on how to electrify your home can be found at www.electrifyeverythingmn.org or by consulting with a free Energy Advisor at 612.244.2486 or through their contact form. 

Cold climate* air source heat pump (ducted or ductless) or ground source heat pump

• 50% or 100% rebate match

50% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a cold climate air source heat pump or ground source heat pump project.

100% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for a cold climate air source heat pump or ground source heat pump project and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria).

High efficiency furnace (hybrid system)

• 50% or 100% rebate match

50% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a 96% or higher AFUE furnace, used as back-up or supplemental heat for a cold climate air source heat pump system.

100% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a 96% or higher AFUE furnace, used as back-up or supplemental heat for a cold climate air source heat pump system. Must also meet the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria).

Heat pump water heater

• 100% or 150% rebate match

100% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for a heat pump/hybrid water heater project.

150% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for a heat pump/hybrid water heater project and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria). 

Note: While we try to fund all projects, funds are limited. Priority will be given to projects that qualify for the environmental justice rate if more than one project is competing for any final fund balance. To see if you qualify for the environmental justice rate, see the updated criteria on the eligibility requirements tab.

*At this time, all cold climate heat pumps will qualify for the city’s cost-share program. If you are unsure if your equipment will qualify for Climate Champions for homes, contact program staff.

Attic or wall insulation rate

• 50% or 100% of total eligible utility rebate

50% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria and has received a utility rebate for an attic air sealing (with or without insulation) or wall insulation project.

100% rebate match

Any residential property in the City of St. Louis Park that fulfills the program eligibility criteria, has received a utility rebate for an attic air sealing (with or without insulation) or wall insulation project and meets the eligibility criteria for the environmental justice rate (view the eligibility requirements tab for criteria).

Note: Standalone natural gas furnace rebates are no longer eligible for rebate matching funds through this program, as of Jan. 1, 2025. Furnaces that are at least 96% AFUE and used as back-up/supplemental heat for a cold-climate air source heat pump systems will continue to be eligible for rebate-matching funds.

To sign up for a discounted Home Energy Squad “planner” visit, sign up online or call 651.328.6220 to get started. The city discount will be applied automatically when you sign up.

To apply for the cost-share program, complete the Climate Champions cost-share application. Make sure to upload and attach the Home Energy Squad "planner" report and a completed W-9 form(PDF, 140KB) to the application.

You will be notified of your application status within 15 business days of receipt. 

Please note: The City of St. Louis Park’s sustainability cost share funds have been fully allocated for the year. Applicants who complete the online application for pre-approval will be placed on a waitlist and notified if funds become available. Applicants who complete their project while on the waitlist will not be eligible for city funds retroactively.

1. Apply for pre-approval 

To apply for the cost-share program, complete the Climate Champions cost-share application. Make sure to upload and attach the Home Energy Squad "planner" report and a completed W-9 form(PDF, 140KB) to the application.

You will be notified of your application status within 15 business days of receipt.

2. Begin design or construction

After your application has been approved, you must complete your project no more than six months after receiving a program acceptance email. After six months, the funding may be reallocated to another project. If you're unsure if your exact equipment will qualify, make sure to send specifications to sustainability staff.

3. Submit rebate checks

Submit a copy of your utility rebate check(s) to erabine@stlouisparkmn.gov by Dec. 31, 2026, within six months of your preapproval email.

4. Receive cost-share payments

Cost-share payments will be issued to the applicant within 60 business days of receiving the required documentation.

5. Program recognition

A window cling will also be mailed to the applicant when cost-share payments are issued.

The following are the program rules and procedures:

• The City of St. Louis Park reserves the right to revoke the funding if the property owner or contractor violates program rules and procedures.
• Funds are allocated based on what's approved in the application. In the event the project size increases or decreases, the applicant is responsible for working with their contractor(s) to submit an updated application to the city. Any additional cost-share funds must be approved by the city's program administrator.
• The applicant is responsible for arranging all upfront project financing.
• When annual cost share reimbursements exceed $600, the city is required to issue a 1099 form to the cost share recipient and report the payment to the IRS as income. Residents are encouraged to consult a tax professional regarding how this income should be reported on their individual tax return.
• Applicant must complete their energy audit and receive their report before applying for construction permits.
• Projects completed within the past six months may be considered for program eligibility retroactively. A pre-approval application and a Home Energy Squad “planner” visit must be completed before city funds will be released. Contact Sustainability Specialist, Ellie Rabine, at erabine@stlouisparkmn.gov or 952.924.2131 to learn more.
• Because funds are limited, projects completed more than six months ago will not be eligible for program funds.
• All work must meet City of St. Louis Park, state, regional and national zoning, building and fire codes.
• The City of St. Louis Park can't recommend specific contractors.
• The applicant is strongly encouraged to verify the contractor’s qualifications. To verify the status of licenses, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's website or call DLI at 651.284.5069.
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring that product purchases, equipment purchases, installation or other work proposed have been completed satisfactorily before paying the contractor(s).
• Staff will verify environmental justice cost rate eligibility through the self-certification form included in the Climate Champions application.
• New construction, or installing electrification systems without replacing existing heating or cooling equipment, is not eligible.
• Any projects that were completed before preapproval are not eligible to be placed on the waitlist.

What happened to the old residential rebate matching program?

The Energy Efficiency Residential Rebate matching program was phased out in favor of Climate Champions for homes. This program provides higher incentives for residents to complete energy efficiency projects in their home, provides them with the means to gain a better understanding of their energy use and offers the potential of a solar cost-share bonus!

I completed my energy improvements last year but didn't get a Home Energy Squad "planner" visit first. Can I still qualify for the cost share?

No. A Home Energy Squad "planner" visit must be completed within 36 months of and before commencing any work eligible for cost-sharing funds.

Where do I find resources on what incentives are available to me for electrifying or weatherizing my home?

There are a variety of resources available to help navigate energy incentives. For guidance on completing weatherization or electrification projects, as well as lining up resources, visit www.electrifyeverythingmn.org or reach out to a free Energy Advisor at 612.244.2486 or through their contact form. Rewiring America's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) calculator is also a helpful tool to calculate what rebates and tax credits may be available to you. Finally, review the state's website for updates on their home energy rebates.

I'm a condominium owner. Am I eligible for this program?

Individual condominium owners who have their own CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy accounts and are responsible for their individual HVAC equipment are eligible for the Climate Champions for Homes program. Condominium properties with five or more units that plan to complete whole-building or common area projects are required to complete a Multi-Family Building Efficiency program audit and go through the Climate Champions for multifamily program.  

The program is currently waitlisted. Can I still apply?

Yes! You can still apply to the program and be placed on the waitlist. If funds become available throughout the year, applicants will be notified in order of pre-approval. If you complete your project while on the waitlist, you will not be eligible for city funds retroactively.