Minnesota Power, an ALLETE Company

A whole-building energy analysis helps schools identify where energy is used—and wasted—by evaluating systems and equipment related to heating, cooling and lighting. This process highlights inefficiencies and guides targeted upgrades that reduce energy costs and improve performance.

An analysis also reveals how different systems interact, such as how outdated HVAC units or poor insulation drive up bills. With these insights, schools can prioritize improvements that deliver the best return on investment, enhance sustainability, and create a more comfortable learning environment.

Energy assessments can uncover:

• Inefficient lighting or HVAC systems
• Poor insulation or air leaks
• Opportunities for behavior-based savings

Contact us to set up an energy analysis for your school: customerprograms@mnpower.com.

Minnesota Power offers rebate programs that help schools reduce upfront costs for energy-efficient upgrades like lighting, HVAC systems, and other equipment. These incentives make it easier to invest in long-term energy savings.

In addition to financial support, we provide technical guidance to ensure schools choose effective solutions, install them properly, and achieve expected energy savings. By using these resources, schools can lower utility bills, improve sustainability, and create a more comfortable learning environment.

These rebates can apply to:

• LED lighting retrofits
• HVAC system upgrades, including cold climate air source heat pumps, and ECM circulator pumps
• High-efficiency boilers and chillers
• Smart thermostats and controls
• Kitchen equipment
• And more!

Visit our rebate page here

Minnesota Air Ventilation Pilot Grant Program

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals from eligible schools throughout Minnesota for the HVAC Pilot Grant Program. This state program is designed to improve the health and safety of schools, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing HVAC systems. It’s intended to alleviate financial and energy burdens of schools, and prioritize schools based on federal Title I funding.

This opportunity is available through Dec. 31, 2025, or until all funding is committed. Applications will be reviewed, scored, and funded on a continuous basis, first come, first served. Grants may be used to reimburse a qualified entity for up to 50% of its total project cost but may not exceed $50,000 per school.

Learn more at https://mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumer/energy-programs/school-hvac-grants.jsp

Energy Summit for Education

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is hosting a one-day event at Eddie Manderville Chalet in Theodore Wirth Park on Oct. 28, 2025. This event will present funding and partnership opportunities to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, educational outcomes, and save money.

Find more information and the agenda at mn.gov/commerce/energy/events.jsp. The Eddie Manderville Chalet at Theodore Wirth Park is at 1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Golden Valley, Minnesota.

BOC Training

Building Operator Certification® (BOC) is a training and certification program that equips school facility managers, building engineers and maintenance personnel with the skills to operate buildings more efficiently. Topics include:

• HVAC optimization
• Preventive maintenance
• Energy benchmarking and tracking

Minnesota Power may be able to reimburse training costs for individuals and organizations in our service area. Find out more about BOC and upcoming trainings by contacting us at customerprograms@mnpower.com.

Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®)

Learn how to optimize energy performance in your school by earning a CEM certification through the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The CEM is a systems integrator for electrical, mechanical, process, and building infrastructure, analyzing solutions to cost-effectively reduce energy consumption. CEMs are often team leaders and help to develop and implement their organizations’ energy management strategies.

Minnesota Power may be able to reimburse training costs. Find out more about CEM at www.AEEcenter.org/certified-energy-manager/ Contact Minnesota Power to learn how we can help reimburse costs for CEM certification at customerprograms@mnpower.com.

What gets measured gets managed. Benchmarking helps schools find opportunities for saving and track progress. Schools that achieve significant savings may earn ENERGY STAR® certification—highlighting their commitment to sustainability and serving as a model for others. Minnesota Power can help you benchmark your building with ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® (ESPM).

• ESPM, administered by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, is the industry standard for building energy performance benchmarking. ESPM provides owners and managers the ability to measure their building’s energy performance in comparison to peer buildings while controlling for differences in local climate and building-specific end use attributes.
• Get started benchmarking your building:
  • For Minnesota Power customers, use our Minnesota Power Benchmarking How-To Guide
  • Need to benchmark your building, but don’t hold all Minnesota Power accounts at the building? Get started with the Whole-Building Benchmarking Guide:
    • Minnesota Power Whole-Building Benchmarking How-To Guide
    • Request form for Whole-Building Benchmarking Request
• More information about Minnesota’s Large Building Energy Benchmarking program and requirements:
  • Minnesota Large Building Energy Benchmarking Program
  • Minnesota State Benchmarking Statutes

Schools that achieve significant savings may earn ENERGY STAR® certification—highlighting their commitment to sustainability and serving as a model for others.

Solar in Schools

• Schools are increasingly installing solar across Minnesota and the nation.
  • Check out solar resources for Minnesota schools here

Electric School Buses

Electric school buses are clean, safe, inexpensive to operate and maintain, and already in use in Minnesota school districts. Technical assistance, resources and grants are available to school districts interested in beginning or continuing their electric school bus journey. Find resources from the Minnesota Department of Commerce here.

According to the Minnesota DOC, electric school buses are:

• Cleaner and healthier. Since they don’t have to burn diesel or gas, an electric school bus does not emit pollutants or unpleasant smells while in operation. A study from Harvard estimated that replacing an average diesel bus with an electric school bus could provide $43,800 in health savings through reductions in small particulate air pollution and asthma cases.

• Safe. Electric school buses meet the same safety standards as all school buses. In addition, electric school buses are quieter, which helps with student management.

• Already working in Minnesota. Electric school buses already operate in Minnesota school districts. Electric school buses have kept students and drivers warm, safe, and on time even in winter.

• A teaching opportunity. Schools can use electric school buses to enhance curriculum at any grade level. From teaching about the mechanics of maintaining electric vehicles to the science of gas emissions, electric school buses can provide a hands-on learning opportunity.

• A money-saving measure. Electric school buses are cheaper to operate and maintain, saving on average $7,000 a year over a diesel bus, according to a study by the World Resources Institute. With initial costs of the bus supplemented by state and federal funding opportunities, switching to electric buses will save a school district money in the long run.

Minnesota Power can answer questions regarding EV rebates and rates for school buses and fleet vehicles. Visit mnpower.com/ProgramsRebates/EVCommercial or contact the Minnesota Power EV Group at electricvehicles@mnpower.com or by phone at 218-355-2843.

CERTS- Zero Energy Accelerator program

Minnesota and California along with six school districts and several national organizations are implementing partners in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Schools Accelerator program. The Accelerator is part of the DOE’s Better Buildings Initiative and its ongoing strategy to advance energy efficiency and accelerate the market adoption of Zero Energy Buildings. Learn more here.

ENERGY STAR®

ENERGY STAR® webpage for K-12 schools provides tools and guidance to help schools improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and create healthier learning environments. It includes resources like benchmarking tools, case studies, and recognition programs to support energy-saving efforts in school buildings. Check it out here.

Safety Theatre

For decades, Minnesota Power has partnered with National Theatre Company to provide educational safety theater to schools in our service area. By integrating education about energy efficiency into the K-12 school curriculum, we can ensure that the next generation is equipped to handle environmental and economic challenges.

Find out if the Safety Theatre is coming to your school this year by contacting customerprograms@mnpower.com.

Download these coloring pages:

• Play it Safe Coloring Page
• Downed Lines Safety Coloring Page

Click here for PDF Savings in the School Guide

Click here for At Home Energy Hero Scavenger Hunt

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