The City of Rochester is excited to offer residents the opportunity to assess their home’s energy efficiency with our Home Energy Audit Kit! This kit provides various tools to help you review your home’s lighting, water usage, appliance performance, and overall energy consumption. Whether you're looking to save on utility bills or make your home more comfortable and eco-friendly, this kit is a great place to start!

Do I need to have any special equipment to use the kit?
No special equipment is required. The kit contains all the necessary tools, each with detailed instructions for proper use.

How long can I borrow the kit?
You may borrow the kit for up to two weeks. Please return the kit in its original condition to the front desk at 4001 West River Parkway during regular business hours.

Can I keep the kit if I need more time?
If you need more time, please contact the Sustainability Division to request an extension. We’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Where can I get more information about my home weatherization and energy efficiency?
To dive deeper into your home, we recommend attending Rochester Public Utility and Minnesota Energy Resources Neighborhood Energy Challenge. You’ll receive further guidance on weatherization and energy efficiency, and you will be eligible for a $75 energy audit after participating in the program.

To participate in the program and borrow a Home Energy Audit Kit, fill out the interest form and the borrower agreement, release & liability waiver. 

After completing the interest form, you will be scheduled to pick up your kit in person at 4001 West River Parkway during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The kit is available for a 2-week borrowing period. After completing your energy audit, please return the kit in its original condition to the same location.

If you have any questions about the Home Energy Audit Kit or need assistance, feel free to contact us:

• Email: Sustainability@RochesterMN.gov
• Phone: 507-328-2212

Your Home Energy Audit Kit comes with the following tools to help you assess different aspects of your home's energy use:

• Water Thermometer – Measure the temperature of your home’s water to ensure it's optimized for efficiency.

• Light Meter – Check the lighting levels in different rooms and ensure they're within energy-efficient ranges.

• Infrared Thermometer – Detect areas where heat is escaping from your home, helping to identify insulation or air sealing issues.

• Refrigerator Thermometer – Ensure your refrigerator and freezer work efficiently by checking their internal temperatures.

• Temperature and Humidity Meter – Monitor indoor temperature and humidity levels for optimal energy performance.

• Watt Meter – Measure electricity usage for various appliances to identify energy hogs.

• EPA WaterSense Flow Bag: Test the water flow of faucets and showerheads to identify opportunities to reduce water and energy use.

Download here the Home Energy Audit Kit Instructions and the Energy Audit Kit  Homework Sheet.

• Instrucciones del Kit de Auditoría Energética del Hogar
• Hoja de Tarea del Kit de Auditoría Energética

• Save Money: By identifying energy inefficiencies, you can make simple changes that can lower your utility bills.

• Enhance Comfort: Improving your home’s energy performance often leads to more consistent temperatures and better air quality.

• Protect the Environment: Reducing energy consumption and waste helps lower one's carbon footprint, contributing to the City of Rochester’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2050.

The City of Rochester is excited to offer residents a free Induction Cooktop Lending Program. This program allows residents to try out a modern, energy-efficient induction cooktop in their homes, giving them firsthand experience of the benefits of induction cooking.

Do I have to pay to use this service?
No, the induction cooktop lending program is entirely free. It’s an excellent opportunity to try a more energy-efficient cooking solution in your home at no cost.

What cookware can I use on the induction cooktop?
Induction cooktops require cookware made from ferromagnetic materials (such as cast iron or stainless steel). You can use the included cookware or test your own with the magnet provided. If the magnet sticks to the bottom of your pot or pan, it will work on the induction cooktop. Cookware made from glass, ceramic, copper, or aluminum will not work unless they have a magnetic base.

What makes induction cooking better than gas or electric stoves?
Induction cooktops are 5-10% more efficient than electric stoves and three times more efficient than gas stoves. Unlike gas stoves, which release heat into the air and contribute to air pollution, induction cooktops heat the cookware directly, using less energy and producing fewer emissions.

Why is the City of Rochester offering this program?
Rochester is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. This program supports the City’s goals to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and to eliminate them by 2050. Induction cooktops provide a cleaner, safer, and more efficient alternative to gas cooking.

For more information, please email sustainability@rochestermn.gov

To participate in the program and borrow an induction stove top, fill out the interest form and the borrower agreement, release & liability waiver. 

After completing the interest form, you will be scheduled to pick up your kit in person at 4001 West River Parkway during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The kit is available for a 2-week borrowing period. After completing your energy audit, please return the kit in its original condition to the same location.

If you have any questions about the Home Energy Audit Kit or need assistance, feel free to contact us:

• Email: Sustainability@RochesterMN.gov
• Phone: 507-328-2212

When you sign up for the program, you'll receive everything you need to start cooking with induction technology:

• 1 Induction Cooktop: A portable countertop unit that's easy to use and can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet.

• 9.5-Inch Frying Pan: Perfect for sautéing, frying, and other cooking tasks.

• 1.5 QT Saucepan (with lid): Ideal for making sauces, soups, or small food portions.

• 3 QT Pot (with lid): A versatile pot for cooking larger meals or boiling pasta, vegetables, or potatoes.

• 1 Magnet: To help you test your cookware for induction compatibility. Simply check if the magnet sticks to the bottom of your pots and pans to see if they will work on the induction cooktop.

Induction cooktops are not only energy-efficient, but they also offer a safer, cleaner alternative to traditional gas stoves. Here’s why:

• Energy efficient: Induction cooking is up to three times more efficient than gas, and no heat is lost. The heat is transferred directly to your cookware, reducing energy waste.

• Quicker Cooking: Direct heat transfer to the pan allows food to cook faster, saving you time in the kitchen.

• Greater Temperature Control: Induction cooktops allow you to adjust the temperature precisely, giving you better control over your cooking.

• Healthier: Unlike gas stoves, which emit harmful pollutants like methane and nitrogen dioxide, induction cooktops produce no indoor air pollution, improving the air quality in your home.

• Safer: Induction stoves do not have open flames or hot coils, making them safer for families with children or pets. The cooktop only heats up when it detects compatible cookware, lowering the risk of burns and fire hazards.

• Easier to Clean: Induction cooktops feature a flat, crevice-free surface, making cleanup a breeze. Since the cooktop remains cool, spills don't burn, and you can wipe it down immediately after use.