By DKO Pike & Cassandra Kyser
Wisconsin launched its Home Energy Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program in August, the first state to do so. HOMES is a federal program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Homeowners can now receive rebates for energy-efficient upgrades like new insulation, windows, and doors. The rebate amounts are based on household income and the estimated energy savings.
According to the Dept of Energy, rebates can range from $10,000 for households making less than 80 percent of their area median income (AMI) to $3,000 for those making at or above 150 percent AMI.
Start with a Home Energy Audit
Upgrades must be done by an IRA Registered Contractor, so the first step is to schedule a home energy audit with one. Find an IRA Registered Contract near you.
During the home energy audit, the contractor will suggest potential energy savings, including new insulation, windows and doors, and heating and cooling options.
New Insulation
There are many choices beyond rolls of fiberglass: expanded foam, blown cellulose, and high-density foam panels with foil backing. The latter can be installed just before you add new siding. Discuss with your IRA contractor what will work best for your home following your energy audit.
Replacement Windows and Doors
New, efficient windows and doors will reduce air leaks. Special glass coatings installed during manufacturing limit heat exchange. These coatings keep the sun’s warmth out in the summer and retain warmth inside in the winter. Another option is to cover existing windows with clear film taped to the inside of window frames.
You will be amazed at how much more comfortable your winter living space will feel at a fraction of the cost. Lowering window shades, with a thermal barrier, will save heat in both summer and winter even with the best available windows.
New Heating and Cooling Options
Heat pumps, also referred to as “mini splits,” are likely far more efficient than what most homes currently have installed. Mounted high on interior walls, heat pumps can reduce humidity and cool summer air as well as provide winter heat.
In addition to being more efficient than old-style window A/C units, these are quiet. The machinery to cool, or condense out humidity, or provide winter heat is all mounted outside your home. Heat pumps do not require trenching or a deep well like geothermal systems.
Visit Focus on Energy for complete information about HOMES.
Other Energy Efficiency Programs in WI
The HOMES Rebates Program is just one of the many ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home.
More funds are available in Wisconsin for income-qualifying households, including the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and Home Energy Plus (HE+).
Click here to learn more about those programs.
Related Information
Click here to learn more about the status of HOMES in other states.
Click here to read the full press release from the Dept of Energy, “Biden-Harris Administration Announces Wisconsin Launch of Federal Home Energy Rebates Program Helping Lower Families’ Utility Bills.”
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