The Grand Marais Public Library now has high-efficiency LED lights. For the project, the staff considered buying brand new fixtures or using existing fixtures and replacing lamps. Since many of the existing fixtures were in fine shape, the staff chose lamp retrofits to lower the cost and improve project payback. The contractor reviewed brightness levels and color temperature to ensure the lighting was adequate for reading and to create the right ambiance. A couple of years ago, the board approved replacing three existing mini-split AC units with mini-split air source heat pumps (ASHP). Both projects qualified for a rebate of $3,801. The work reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to planting eleven acres of forest. Library Director Amanda St. John shared, “Since we are a public facility, we have a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate efficient technologies. Using heat pumps in a cold climate like Grand Marais can be difficult for people to accept. When it gets really cold, we can use our boiler.” Pictured (left to right) are Alyssa Elliot, Administrative Assistant at Grand Marais Public Utilities; Nancy Kelly, Energy Services Rep for Grand Marais Public Utilities; Kevin LeVoir, Library Board Member; Amanda St. John, Library Director; and Shane Steele, Grand Marais Sustainability Coordinator.

Sivertson’s frame shop and fiber store have new high efficiency air source heat pumps to heat and cool the facility. The existing older gas furnace remains in place to supplement the ASHPs on really cold days. In the winter of 2023/24, the furnace never turned on. The project qualified for a rebate of $4,066. This project reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to planting four acres of forest. Owner Jan Sivertson shared, “This was a great project, and we appreciate all the work the city does to help us understand what rebates are available to us.” Pictured (left to right) are Alyssa Elliot, Administrative Assistant at Grand Marais Public Utilities; Shane Steele, Grand Marais Sustainability Coordinator; Nancy Kelly, Energy Services Rep for Grand Marais Public Utilities; Neil Sherman, employee, Jan Sivertson, Owner; Mark Tessier, employee; and Casey Descheampe, employee.

There are new lights and heating and cooling at Beth’s Fudge. The lighting retrofits included replacing 175 inefficient 4-foot fluorescent lamps with energy-efficient LED lamps and replacing 40 inefficient track light fixtures with LED track light fixtures. The existing air source heat pumps (ASHPs) had failed and were replaced with high-efficiency units. The facility will use the existing natural gas boiler on really cold days if the indoor temperature goes below 50F. The projects qualified for a rebate of $8,532. This project reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of four passenger vehicles. Owner Danny Kennedy shared, “The ASHPs have been in operation for two years. We used very little propane last year for our back-up system.” Pictured (left to right) are Alyssa Elliot, Administrative Assistant at Grand Marais Public Utilities; Danny Kennedy, Owner; Nancy Kelly, Energy Services Rep for Grand Marais Public Utilities; and Shane Steele, Grand Marais Sustainability Coordinator.