Healthy and Efficient Buildings

Buildings in Wisconsin consume nearly 45% of the total energy used in Wisconsin. This energy is often generated with fossil fuels and fossil gases (also known as “natural gas”). In fact, over 80% of residential energy use in Wisconsin is generated using fossil fuels and gases that emit harmful greenhouse gases into our air.

Building energy use in Wisconsin is higher than the national average partly because of our colder climate. This, along with other factors including inefficient buildings, also means that Wisconsinites have a high energy burden. Energy Burden is the percentage of a household’s income that is spent on utility bills. Energy burden is particularly high for low-income residents and can be as high as 26% for some in Milwaukee, according to Sierra Club.

As more solar and wind energy is produced in the state in the future, the electrical grid will become less reliant on dirty fossil fuels. That’s why it’s important that new and existing buildings become more efficient and rely on more electricity and less fossil gas in the future.

If you live in an old home, or own an old commercial building, it may have been built to very old building code standards, or before a statewide standard even existed. This means your building could be very inefficient and could be using fossil fuels that pollute both indoor and outdoor air.

There are many upgrades that can help increase efficiency and reduce the GHG output of homes. Consider engaging with an energy or sustainability consultant to better understand which upgrades they can afford, and which upgrades should be prioritized for their environmental impacts, upfront costs and savings potential. Homeowners can also use the Green Upgrade Calculator from RMI, which estimates the economic and environmental impacts of different home upgrades. See below for some examples of priority upgrades.

Weatherization

Weatherization is the process of making upgrades to a building to protect it from weather elements, and to reduce the energy usage of the home by making it more airtight. Weatherization should be done before making appliance upgrades to ensure appliances are not working harder than they need in order to heat/cool.

Weatherization strategies include:

• Sealing any unwanted openings
• Upgrading insulation in walls, attics and crawlspaces
• Upgrading windows and doors

Heating & Cooling with Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are efficient, all-electric, all-in-one alternatives to combustion furnaces and air-conditioning systems. A properly functioning air-source heat pump can deliver up to 3 times more heat energy to a home than electrical energy it consumes according to the Department of Energy.

Electrification & Efficiency Upgrades

Electrification is the process of converting an appliance or system to be powered by electricity instead of fossil gas and fuel combustion. Even though Wisconsin’s electrical grid is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, electrifying buildings is crucial especially as access to renewable energy grows. Electric appliances are also better for indoor air quality.

Electrification/Efficiency:

• Induction stoves
• Heat pump water heaters
• High efficiency kitchen appliances

Renter Recommendations

Renters can change cooking, heating and cooling systems through low-cost upgrades or no-cost behavioral strategies, and can make non-appliance efficiency upgrades including upgrades to lighting fixtures and showerheads. For more information, please visit ENERGY STAR’s guide for renters.