Homeowner / Energy Efficiency

This innovative loan program allows commercial borrowers to take out loans to finance the up-front costs of clean energy projects that can paid back through voluntary assessments that will be attached to the building, not the property owner.

The website for PACE in Wisconsin is at https://www.pacewi.org/.

PACE financing is available for commercial properties like offices, retail stores, warehouses, industrial plants, and more. These may either be businesses or tax-exempt organizations. Properties can be multifamily buildings with more than five units.

Slipstream cautions that aspects of the PACE loan program work better with loan amounts over $250,000.

(As of 11/24/2025, the program exists in Wisconsin, it’s administered by WEDC. However, funds allocated for it never arrived. WEDC is looking for other ways to capitalize the fund.)

The Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF) will provide loans, some grants, and technical assistance to residential and commercial property owners. The EERLF is funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, over $1,900,000 has been allocated to the State of Wisconsin. The program is still in the planning stages, it may be administered by the WEDC in conjunction with their Green Innovation Fund.

Potentially, loans will be provided for energy assessments and energy efficiency retrofit projects, particularly for low income families.

The Public Service Commission memo is here: https://apps.psc.wi.gov/ERF/ERFview/viewdoc.aspx?docid=524134

This was a tax credit for 30% of qualified expenses up to $3,200 for energy efficiency improvements to your existing home. These were divided into energy property costs (exterior doors and windows, insulation, and sealing (up to $1,200) and equipment costs (up to $2,000) for qualifying equipment like heat pumps, batteries, efficient central air conditioners, and even furnaces.

Renters could use 25c for eligible, non-permanent expenses like window-mounted heat pumps.

While this tax credit has been eliminated, you can use it for installations incurred during the 2025 tax year.

This program is for residential use. More information about what equipment qualifies is available here https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal-tax-credits.

Please Note: On July 4th, the Trump Administration passed the “Big Beautiful Bill” which eliminated this tax deduction for buildings that begin construction after June 30, 2026.

The tax deduction is available to owners of qualified buildings; or designers of energy efficient public buildings and retrofits owned by specified tax-exempt organizations. As a tax deduction, 179D cannot be accessed by nonprofits through Direct Pay. However, the deduction can be transferred to a builder or designer for cost considerations.

Equipment Replacement Programs

(Check out our Homes 101 page: https://energizegreenbay.com/homes-101/)

The Home Efficiency Rebate program (HOMES) provides rebates for modeled energy savings. In Wisconsin, the program is administered by Focus on Energy. The amount of the rebate varies, but can be up to $10,000. It covers a variety of projects, from new insulation to a heat pump.

Homeowners begin with a home energy assessment from a registered HOMES contractor. The list is here: https://www.clearesult.com/partner-hub/find-contractor/focus-ira?specialty_1_filter=266&sortBy=asc.

There is a 30% tax credit for the cost of the assessment (capped at $150). Households with income below 80% of the Area Median ($78,400 for a family of 4) will have the cost of the assessment waived (up to $500).

The HOMES-registered contractor will model a pathway for improving the energy efficiency of your home. In order to qualify, the projects must achieve at least a 20% increase in modeled efficiency. They will then work with you to complete the projects.

The amount of the rebate depends on the percentage increase in modeled energy efficiency and your household income.

Rebates are offered on a ‘per address’ basis, so second homes are eligible. Even homes owned by out of state residents are eligible.

More information is available here: https://focusonenergy.com/ira-homes

HOMES will eventually be usable on multifamily buildings. However, this part of the program has not yet been launched.

The IRA Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR) provides rebates for installing qualifying electrical equipment and weather sealing in your home. The first phase, which went into effect in December 2024, includes rebates for heat pump water heaters, heat pumps, electric wiring, and electrical panel upgrades. These must be installed by registered IRA contractors.

The second phase has now launched, providing rebates for weather sealing, heat pump clothes dryers and electric cooking appliances.

Please Note:

Upgrades to electrical wiring can include replacement of knob and tube wiring.

Qualifying heat pump systems will need to heat at least 50% of your residential area.

The rebate is intended for the replacement of gas appliances with electric ones, so you cannot, for example, use it to upgrade an electric coil stove with induction.

There is more information at https://energizegreenbay.com/ira-hear-101

HEAR is targeted at low-to-moderate-income households. Low-income households (up to 80% of adjusted median income) are eligible for 100% of project cost up to a total of $14,000. Moderate income households (80% to 150% of AMI) are eligible for 50% of project costs up to a total of $14,000.

HEAR can be used in conjunction with the IRA HOMES rebates, but not to pay for the same projects. They can also be stacked with IRA tax credits.

Check out WHEDA’s webpage for more information: https://morelikehomeloan.wheda.com/

Brown County is served by North Shore Community Bank. Information about their application process is here: https://www.northshorebank.com/personal/home-mortgage-loans/wheda-more-like-home.aspx

The New Energy Efficient Homes Credit is targeted at new, energy-efficient home construction, including manufactured homes. Tax credits range from $250 to $5000 depending on size and other characteristics. Projects must meet applicable Energy Star requirements and may be single-family or multifamily. Multifamily homes can receive a tax credit of up to $2500 per unit. Homes that qualify under the Zero Energy Ready Home Program may receive $5000 for single family homes or up to $5000 per unit for multifamily homes. More information is available at https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/credit-for-builders-of-energy-efficient-homes.

New Energy Efficient Homes Credits are stackable with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

Please Note: On July 4th, the Trump Administration passed the “Big Beautiful Bill” which eliminated this tax credit for buildings acquired after June 30, 2026.

The eligibility requirements for this tax credit are highly technical. Refer to IRS Notice 2023-65 for guidance.