Minnesota homeowner says solar panels and years of EV driving cut nearly $40,000 from his costs

“An older home doesn’t have to be an inefficient home.”

According to a City of Bloomington profile, a Minnesota homeowner says solar panels and more than a decade of driving electric vehicles have helped him save nearly $40,000.

He is now working to show other residents how existing homes can be made more comfortable and energy efficient.

What to know

Steven Hong, a Bloomington resident and real estate agent with 23 years of experience, teaches a course called “High-Performance Housing” focused on improving existing homes.

Hong started using solar panels 17 years ago.

His experience with solar power and EVs has influenced the way he thinks about home energy upgrades.

“An older home doesn't have to be an inefficient home,” Hong said. “With the right improvements, we can make the homes we already have more comfortable, more efficient, and better prepared for the future.”

For homeowners looking to save on electricity with solar, $0-upfront leases can reduce monthly costs by hundreds of dollars, depending on the home and available incentives. EasyHome’s free explorer tool can help estimate savings and connect homeowners with vetted local installers.

More background

Among the upgrades Hong made to his former Minneapolis home were a heat pump dryer, an induction stove and other electric appliances, according to the City of Bloomington.

Those projects gave him hands-on experience with both producing electricity at home and using it more efficiently.

He is now looking at upgrades for his new home in Bloomington.

Hong’s plans for Bloomington Community Education include public sessions of “High-Performance Housing.”

He has already taught classes for real estate professionals.

What can be done?

The City of Bloomington says homeowners who are unsure where to begin should start with an energy audit.

The results can help identify where a home uses the most energy and where it loses it, making it easier to choose the right improvements.

For homeowners interested in solar, EasyHome can help gather competitive bids from local installers and compare options for a property.

Homeowners who want more than solar can also look into battery storage through EasyHome. Pairing panels with batteries can help manage electricity costs and provide backup power during outages, which is an important consideration when planning an upgrade.

“You don't have to do everything at once. Start with the things that make the biggest difference, learn how your home works and improve it one project at a time,” Hong advised.

Where can I learn more?

Other homeowners have also used solar to charge EVs and lower household energy costs. These stories explore EV charging, system sizing and battery backup planning.

• A California homeowner’s 52-panel off-grid solar system powers two EVs, air conditioning and a well.

• A California DIYer found that solar-powered EV charging costs 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour.

• A Minnesota homeowner wanted affordable solar before batteries, but commenters urged prioritizing backup power.