How our homes use energy and why it matters
We define homes as 1-4 unit residential buildings. Our homes use electricity and fossil gas for:
- Heating
- Cooling
- Ventilation
- Lighting
- Appliances
- Everything we plug into our walls
The best way to lower emissions from homes is to use renewable energy instead of fossil gas. We can do this by:
- Replacing gas appliances with more efficient electric appliances
- Improving the insulation of homes
- Investing in renewable energy like rooftop solar panels
There are about 88,000 1-4 unit homes in Minneapolis. Our buildings are old, with many homes built before the Great Depression (pre-1930). This creates opportunities to update homes to today’s standards. As of 2022, most homes had inadequate insulation. Less than 20% of homes have enough power for rooftop solar panels or electric car charging. They also lack the right setup to use these systems.
Climate impact
In 2021, home energy use was responsible for:
- 23% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions
- 36% of the city’s fossil gas emissions
- 30% of electricity emissions
We can lower these emissions by making homes more efficient and less reliant on fossil gas.
Equity impact
Energy costs can make up a large part of housing costs. Housing energy burden is the percent of household income spent on home energy bills. In 2017, 12% of households in Minneapolis had a high housing energy burden. These burdens are highest for black and Hispanic households. To address these inequities, we provide upgrades in neighborhoods that can benefit most.
Housing affects every part of a person’s life. More efficient homes can lower monthly expenses and improve health. They help by reducing drafts, keeping temperatures steady, and improving air quality. Low-income renters and homeowners need more efficient homes with lower utility bills.