Energy Audits & Tips
Need in-person assistance or prefer doing it yourself? Either way, Midwest Electric can help you figure out how to maximize your home's energy efficiency.
Want a free home energy audit done 100% online?
Click here to use our advanced home energy audit software. After inserting specifics about your home, you'll receive a customized list of downloadable do-it-yourself energy-efficiency projects. You can even print the PDFs for easy access at home!
Click here to access our Energy Resource Center. You'll see how much you could save by upgrading windows, insulation, heating systems and more. You can even see how much you can save simply by changing your thermostat setting.
If you need new insulation, we offer rebates.
Midwest Electric offers a variety of energy audits:
- Over-the-phone – simply call us at 1-800-962-3830 and our customer service representatives or energy advisors can analyze your energy use and help you determine where your energy dollars are going – and how you can save. No charge for this service.
- In-Person Basic Audit – This is no cost. We will do a walk-through at your home or business and identify areas of potential savings and help you better understand where you are using energy.
- In-Person Advanced Audit – This service features a blower door test to determine air infiltration problem areas plus an infrared thermal gun scan to find “hidden” opportunities, and an extensive follow-up report with specific recommendations to help you prioritize opportunities. This service is provided by a RESNet certified HERS rater. Your cost – $200. But you can get this for FREE if you do one of the following:
- Show receipts or other proof of at least $200 in home energy improvements as a result of the audit. Improvements can include: insulation, caulk, weatherstripping, Energy Star appliances, energy efficient lighting, energy efficient doors and windows, and more.
- Install a new electric water heater; a heat pump water heater; an air-source heat pump; or a geothermal system. Requires a free peak load reduction switch on the water heater; could qualify you for our discounted heating rate.
- Above must be done within 60 days of receiving audit report; May be subject to inspection and verification.
Click here to request an In-Person Basic or Advanced Audit.
Download a free home energy walk-through checklist here. Feel free to print it out, check each item, and see how energy efficient your home is!
Printable Energy Efficiency Projects:
Attic & Roof Projects
- How to install and air seal pipes, vents, and flues.pdf
- How to install barrier to reflect thermal radiation on roof.pdf
- How to install vents to cool attic spaces.pdf
- How to insulate and air seal kneewalls in attic rooms.pdf
- How to insulate and air seal your attic access.pdf
- How to insulate your attic.pdf
- How to maintain HVAC systems in attics.pdf
Basement Projects
- Comfort, health, and safety in basements and crawlspaces.pdf
- Insulating floor spaces in basements and crawlspaces.pdf
- Insulating walls and rim joists in basements and crawlspaces.pdf
- Maintaining HVAC systems in basements and crawlspaces.pdf
- Options for improving basement and crawlspace foundations.pdf
- Sealing foundation subfloors.pdf
- Sealing wall and rim joists in basements and crawlspaces.pdf
- Weatherstripping and air sealing basement doors, windows, and foundation wall openings.pdf
Living Space Projects
- Attached garages_How to air seal to keep out exhaust and fumes.pdf
- Best practices for fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.pdf
- How to decide which ventilation strategy is best for your house.pdf
- How to reduce plug loads on appliances.pdf
- How to retrofit pre-existing walls with insulation.pdf
- How to switch out lightbulbs, calculate savings, and decide which type.pdf
Systems Projects
- Forced-air heating and cooling systems_how to get clean air where you want it.pdf
- Hot water distribution and on-demand systems.pdf
- Learn what HVAC system your home has and how to use it for maximum efficiency.pdf
- Water heater efficiency_Analyzing fuel types.pdf
- What type of water heater should you choose.pdf
Visit our YouTube page for more than 20 different brief videos on energy-saving tips including refrigerators, ceiling fans, air infiltration, landscaping, duct work and more.
These are simple things you can do to start saving energy and money today! Click here for the full list of these great tips.
The U.S. Department of Energy also offers a downloadable PDF Home Energy-Saver Guide with tips on how to save energy (and money on your electric bill!) at home. Click here to view the full report and suggestions.
Save energy, save money with our appliance energy tips.
Electric meters are very reliable and accurate. Typically, if a meter goes bad it would slow down…not speed up. Sometimes, a problem – such as an electrical short – may occur with your appliances or home wiring. Here is a method to test your circuits:
Do a breaker test as follows, first on your 220 volt items (ie, water heater, AC unit, clothes dryer, etc.). Have someone watching the meter, and have someone at the breaker box to turn off each breaker for each of those larger appliances one at a time. For example, turn off the water heater breaker and if this slows down the meter considerably then there may be a problem with the water heater such as a heating element. Turn that breaker back on and proceed to check additional breakers. If the meter was spinning fast and the breaker test slows it down then this will help determine which appliance may need to be checked.
Alternatively, you could turn off all breakers including the main breaker. Then have someone watch the meter while you turn on each breaker separately until one makes the meter spin fast.
Rebates
Click here for a listing of current rebates or special programs.
Fuel Cost Comparisons – the “break even” price
What is the break even price for propane vs electricity, or for natural gas vs electricity? In other words, at what price per gallon (or price per mcf) is propane (or natural gas) more economical than electricity for heating or water heating.
To find this magical price, we’ll use the following assumptions:
- 90% efficiency propane (or natural gas) furnace
- 60% efficiency propane (or natural gas) water heater (standard)
- 100% efficiency electric resistance heat (baseboard, ceiling cable)
- 250% efficiency air-source heat pump (standard)
- 350% efficiency geothermal heat pump (standard)
- 92% efficiency electric water heater (standard)
- 100,000 BTU per ccf of natural gas
- 3,413 BTU per kilowatt hour of electricity
- 91,500 BTU per gallon of propane
- Midwest Electric standard residential rate, $0.10 per kWh
- 40,032 BTU per day in water heating energy use
- 80 million BTU annual home heating
Water Heaters
Electric Cost:
(40,032 / 3,413 / .92 efficiency) x $0.10 = $1.28 per day
Propane Equivalent:
(40,032 / 91,500 / .60 efficiency) x Y = 0.73Y
Solve for Y:
$0.73Y = $1.28
Y = $1.75
So, Propane would have to cost less than $1.75 per gallon in order for it to be more economical than electricity for water heating (based on the assumptions).
Natural Gas Equivalent:
(40,032 / 100,000 / .60 efficiency) x Y = 0.67Y
Solve for Y:
$0.67Y = $1.28
Y = $1.91
So, Natural Gas would have to cost less than $1.91 per ccf (or $19.10 per mcf) for it to be more economical than electricity for water heating (based on the Assumptions).
Heating Comparison
Electric Resistance:
(1,000,000 / 3,413 / 1) x $0.10 = $29.30 per million BTU
Propane Equivalent:
(1,000,000 / 91,500 / .9 efficiency) x Y = 12.14Y
Solve for Y:
$12.14Y = $29.30
Y = $2.41. So, Propane would have to cost less than $2.41 per gallon for it to be more economical than electric resistance heat (ie, baseboard).
Natural Gas Equivalent:
(1,000,000 / 100,000 / .9 efficiency) x Y = 11.11Y
Solve for Y:
$11.11Y = $29.30
Y = $2.64
So, Natural Gas would have to cost less than $2.64 per ccf (or $26.40 per mcf) for it to be more economical than electric resistance heat (ie, baseboard).
Electric Air-Source Heat Pump
(1,000,000 / 3,413 / 2.5 efficiency) x $.10 = $11.72 per million BTU
Propane Equivalent:
(1,000,000 / 91,500 / .9 efficiency) x Y = 12.14Y
$12.14Y = $11.72
Y = $0.97
So, Propane would have to cost less than 97 cents per gallon for it to be more economical than an air-source heat pump.
Natural Gas Equivalent:
(1,000,000 / 100,000 / .9 efficiency) x Y = 11.11Y
Solve for Y:
$11.11Y = $11.72
Y = $1.05
So, Natural Gas would have to cost less than $1.05 per ccf (or $10.50 per mcf) for it to be more economical than an air-source heat pump.
Electric Geothermal
(1,000,000 / 3,413 / 3.5 efficiency) x $.10 = $8.37 per million BTU
Propane Equivalent:
(1,000,000 / 91,500 / .9 efficiency) x Y = 12.14Y
$12.14Y = $8.37
Y = $0.69
So, Propane would have to cost less than 69 cents per gallon for it to be more economical than geothermal.
Natural Gas Equivalent:
(1,000,000 / 100,000 / .9 efficiency) x Y = 11.11Y
Solve for Y:
$11.11Y = $8.37
Y = $0.75
So, Natural Gas would have to cost less than $0.75 per ccf (or $7.50 per mcf) for it to be more economical than geothermal.