How Energy Efficiency Resources Can Save You Money

Creating an energy efficient home can be a great way to save on your bills for years to come. But where do you start?

Sustainable home improvements can look like anything from making sure your windows and insulation are airtight to opting for energy-efficient home appliances. Or even a larger project to get a source of renewable energy such as solar panels or a geothermal heat pump!

Since there are so many ways you can make your home energy efficient, let's go over some good places to look first.

How can I easily save money on utilities in Wisconsin?

A great first step is checking with your utility companies to see if they offer any incentive programs for optimizing energy usage. These programs can help you keep energy more cost-effective for yourself – and your neighborhood.

Here's how these energy incentive programs typically work:

Utility companies can connect with certain smart home devices – like a smart thermostat – to help you avoid using energy during hours of greatest demand, known as peak hours.
Your energy provider will use the device’s home automation capabilities and learn your routines to help you meet your energy needs while working around times of highest demand.
You always stay in control if you want to override the settings!

For example, if you’re in south-central or western Wisconsin, Alliant Energy’s and Madison Gas and Electric (MGE)’s both reward you as a customer when you do any of these:

Enroll a smart thermostat so your home automatically shifts energy use during high demand.
Allow your electric vehicle charger to optimize charging during off-peak hours, while still making sure your car is charged based on your typical schedule.
Connect an electric water heater controller to learn your hot water usage patterns and prepare hot water before peak hours.

Similar programs to these are available in many locations and can help you save money on bills and receive rewards. Just check with your energy provider – you can likely find the information on their website or by giving them a call.

Are there discounts on energy-efficiency upgrades I can do myself?

As Wisconsin's energy efficiency program, partners with local utility companies to help you save on your bills. If you're just starting out looking for sustainable upgrades, their marketplace has discounts available:

Choose a free so you can easily take the first step toward a more sustainable household.
Get like smart thermostats, water savers, weatherization, air quality, power strips and LED lighting.
- Here’s an extra money-saving tip: If you’re going to enroll in a smart thermostat program through your utility company (like the ones we mentioned above), see if one of these discounted models qualifies – many of them do!

Are there easy ways to save money on large home energy improvements?

There are many rebates, incentives and tax advantages to make the upfront cost of living sustainably more affordable. If you’re interested in bigger energy-saving projects for your home, check out these resources:

Take a free online , which in just 10 minutes can help you estimate your energy use, offer you customized tips and point you to relevant rebates.
Learn about the available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and find a local IRA Registered Contractor (someone who's been certified to help you save money through the IRA Home Energy Rebate Programs). You can also see if you qualify for other residential rebates in Wisconsin.
Search for contractors familiar with energy efficient products with . Filter by the service you’re interested in or by those who perform in-person home energy audits – an assessment offering custom energy-saving recommendations, giving you a good baseline for improvements that may be needed before taking on large-dollar projects.

Before you jump into upgrading your home for energy efficiency, it’s important to plan first. Consult your budget to see what updates make the most sense for you and remember, you don't need to do it all at once! There may be also be a certain sequence to your upgrades for the most efficiency, so seek input from an expert to see which improvement is the most important to start with.

Chat with us about how to make your energy-saving upgrades more affordable!

Our Summit loan experts are here to help you complete your energy-saving goals by offering easy financing options like our , and for our Milwaukee-area members, our . We’re always happy to to talk through your questions and help you take the best financial path for you!