Home Energy Efficiency in Milwaukee

Making Your Home Comfortable and Efficient

Here are some facts that are going to come in handy when upgrading your home's energy efficiency.

• Most Milwaukee residents receive their electricity from a coal fired power plant and pay around $0.12 per kilowatt-hour from We Energies, which is above the national average.
• Natural gas prices hover around the national average at $10.50 per thousand cubic feet.
• The average Wisconsin home was built in 1969, a time when energy efficiency wasn't a priority because the cost of energy was quite low.
• The Milwaukee area has average annual wind speeds of 11.5 mph, which makes the region a great candidate for wind.

Home Energy Audits in Milwaukee

Figuring out what areas of your home need to be upgraded or updated to make it more energy efficient is the first step toward lower utility bills and higher comfort. A professional energy auditor will help you test your home to determine what the most cost-effective improvements will be. Energy audits typically cost a few hundred dollars, but through Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program, you can have your home audited for free!

If you'd like to find out — for free and within minutes — whether your home is a good candidate for an energy audit and for upgrades, take our online home energy report. We'll give you a home energy score and estimate your savings potential.

Home Energy Upgrades in Milwaukee

Here are some projects your energy auditor might recommend.

• ENERGY STAR Appliances: The widespread availability and affordability of ENERGY STAR appliances makes it possible to upgrade to the most energy-efficient models on any budget. Water heaters, washers, dryers and electric heaters are just some of the appliances that offer opportunities to save on utility bills when you upgrade to an ENERGY STAR certified model.
• Air Sealing: Keeping homes snug and tight means taking care to use weather-stripping to seal doors and windows from wintry blasts, preventing costly drafts.
• Insulation: Layering on the insulation in attics to prevent valuable heat loss is vital in a Northern climate, along with choosing durable roofing materials that serve as an insulating buffer while resisting the punishing extremes of ice and snow. The government Department of Energy recommends R49 — R60 attic insulation in the region.
• Energy-Efficient Windows: Vinyl replacement windows, double-paned and extra thick with a low U-factor, can also offer added protection from the cold. Fiberglass windows are an even greener alternative to vinyl windows since they use recycled material.
• Wind Energy: If your home is already super efficient and you would like to do more, you may want to consider a renewable energy system like a home wind turbine.

Have a project in mind? Contact an energy expert to get started.

Energy Rebates and Tax Credits in Milwaukee

Home Efficiency Upgrades: Wisconsin is ahead of the curve in terms of supporting and encouraging energy savings among its residents. The state offers a whole bevy of incentives and rebates, many under the umbrella of its Focus On Energy program. Included in Focus On Energy are rebates, discounts, cash-back programs and tax credits for energy-efficient heating and cooling appliances and construction methods. Some ENERGY STAR appliances are eligible for rebates as well.

Renewable Energy Systems: Milwaukee residents can take advantage of a Solar Thermal Incentive offered by WE Energies with a rebate for buying solar water heater appliances. The federal government also offers a Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of renewable energies such as wind, solar and geothermal.

Check out all energy rebates and tax credits in Milwaukee.

Home Energy Resources from EnergySavvy

1. Home Energy Report: How efficient is your home? Find out how to improve your home's efficiency and comfort, without spending tons of money, with EnergySavvy's free online home energy report.
2. Energy Rebate and Tax Credit Directory: EnergySavvy's guide to energy rebates and tax credits can help you find all the energy tax credits and rebates that are available locally for you.
3. Energy Contractors: If you've got a project in mind to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable and you'd like to talk with an energy expert about it, we can help. We focus on the relatively small group of contractors nationwide who really understand home energy auditing and energy retrofits.
4. Educational Content: Home energy efficiency is complicated stuff. It's not just as simple as laying some insulation in the attic. We've put together a library of easy-to-read topics that cover the basics of energy efficiency. And if you have a question about anything, you can ask one of our energy experts using our "Ask an Expert" feature.

Last Updated: May 2010

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