Rates cut for home energy audits in Chippewa County
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By MARK GUNDERMAN mark.gunderman@lee.net
Monday, March 17, 2008 10:18 AM CDT
So how much of your hard-earned money is escaping out of drafty holes in your house? Thanks to a program from Xcel Energy and Focus on Energy, Chippewa County homeowners can find out at a cut-rate cost, and get help to do something about it.
Homeowners should be familiar with home energy audits, in which a certified professional studies a home to determine its energy efficiency and recommends steps to improve it.
The process was described in detail in a Herald feature story Jan. 27 in conjunction with the newspaper’s “Go Green” special section.
A home energy audit normally costs about $300, according to Patti Darley, a project coordinator with Xcel Energy’s Eau Claire office. Now those audits are available through the Xcel/Focus on Energy program to Chippewa County residents for only $25 through the end of this year.
“Energy audits are so valuable, to be able to offer it to customers for $25 is remarkable,” said Brian Elwood, public information officer for Xcel Energy.
A program is also available for commercial properties.
The $25 program is not available everywhere, but it is Chippewa County’s turn, Elwood explained.
Money to subsidize the energy audits comes from a surcharge on energy bills that Xcel is required to impose by Public Service Commission regulations. That money is then invested in energy conservation programs.
As part of that commitment, Xcel has for the past five years been offering the low-cost energy audits to selected counties in its Wisconsin coverage area each year.
All residential customers of Xcel Energy are eligible. That’s most of the homes in the county, but does not include rural electric co-op customers or customers of small municipal utilities.
Focus on Energy, a statewide program, has certified consultants to conduct the audits. The two in this area are Dave Geissler in Chippewa Falls and Les Pintok in Holcombe.
“They will show you all areas where you’re losing heat and the air is flowing,” said Darley.
After the audit, the homeowner learns about the home’s energy efficiency, together with some recommendations to improve it. There’s also a free gift of a tote bag with some small home items inside, and a pile of literature on energy programs and issues.
The improvements can range from replacement of doors and windows to simple caulking and can range in cost from thousands to a few dollars. There is no obligation for the homeowner to follow through with the recommendations. Of course, those who do will save money on energy bills.
“A lot of those fixes in older homes are not very expensive,” Darley said.
But there is help available to make the improvements. Focus on Energy and Xcel each have rebate programs. By utilizing both programs, a homeowner can receive rebates of $50 to $400 for eligible improvements.
“You are spending money on improvements, but there is cost savings over a period of time,” said Elwood.
“If you make the eligible improvements, they come back and re-test your home,” said Darley.
There may be even more help available for some homeowners. The Chippewa County Housing Authority may be able to assist eligible property owners with money for the energy audits and recommended improvements.
Property owners must make contact with the Chippewa County Housing Authority at 726-7933 before having the audit done.
In the commercial program, Xcel representative Vern Kinas is visiting businesses in the county offering free energy audits, with rebate programs up to $5,000 for improvements. Schools and municipal buildings are eligible for up to $2,000 in rebates.
As an incentive for local leaders to promote the program, Xcel is offering the Community Challenge. The company will make $2,500 donations to the city of Chippewa Falls, village of Lake Hallie and town of LaFayette if each completes 30 assessments this year. Other communities can receive bonuses for having 15 assessments.
Elwood said the money can be used for energy-saving projects, such as improvements to a municipal building.
Those interested in taking part in the programs should contact Darley at 839-1419, or e-mail her at patricia.b.darley@xcelenergy.com.
Commercial customers can contact Kinas at 839-2570 or 800-895-4999, ext. 2570.
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