Here's How To Tune Up Your Furnace, Help The Environment & Save Money

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Now is the right time to check your furnace – for maintenance, safety and efficiency. And if you do a little web research, you'll be surprised how much money your can save for your family.

Shawn Walls has been working on furnaces for 20 years. He says now is the right time for a tune up, to find and fix problems before the cold weather hits.

The 20-point tune up check ensures safety and energy efficiency, which is why his company, Minnesota Energy Resources, offers rebates for it.

"We sell natural gas, we provide natural gas, and we actually give you a rebate to use less of our product," said Jeff Larson, the senior external affairs manager for Minnesota Energy Resources.

In fact, all of the state's utilities are required by law to promote energy efficiency. So, Minnesota Energy Resources devotes a full webpage to rebates. The same is true for CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy.

"If you do anything within your house that saves energy, take a look at our website," said Larson, "because there's probably a rebate for it."

Minnesota Energy pays $35 towards a tune up from any certified technician, not just their own. They also offer rebates for energy audits, sealing and insulation, and new furnaces - the more energy efficient the better.

And if you do need a new furnace, there's extra help from the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), which provides low interest loans for energy efficient projects.

"It could be anywhere from 2.99 percent to 6.99 percent, depending on your specific project and underwriting," said Rachael Rupp, of CEE.

Most of their loans are at 4.99 percent, for furnaces, air conditioners, insulation, or water heaters.

"The overall goal is to increase energy efficiency in homes throughout the state of Minnesota," Rupp said. "That's what we're here for. That's the ultimate goal."