Investing in Energy Efficiency
Building an energy-efficient new home doesn't have to mean increased construction and labor costs. In fact, choosing the more efficient option will cost the same or only a fraction more - and the money you save in energy costs will pay back the difference in just a year or two!
To illustrate this idea, think of your home's energy efficiency as a type of mortgage or loan: the initial construction costs are the down payment; the energy bills are the interest. The more energy-efficient your home is, the less it will cost to operate and maintain. The money you save in energy bills will add up to a significant amount over the life of your new home.
The easiest way to build energy efficiency into your new home is to investigate your options before construction starts, and find a builder who will work with you to maximize energy conservation.
Take advantage of rebates, incentives and financing
In addition to long-term savings, investing in energy efficiency also makes your home eligible for cash-back rebates, low-interest financing and other incentives from your utility companies or your lender.
If you’re an Alliant Energy utility customer in Iowa or Wisconsin, you can take advantage of money-saving incentives when you build an energy-efficient new home.
Iowa homeowners can earn new home construction incentives ranging from $700 to $2,500, depending on the square footage of your new home, and whether your home receives heating and/or cooling energy from Alliant Energy.
In Wisconsin, Alliant Energy partners with Focus on Energy to offer homeowners cash-back rewards and other incentives for building an ENERGY STAR-certified new home.
You can also take advantage of incentives on other high-efficiency products for your new home, including furnaces and air conditioners, water heaters, clothes washers and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
If you're not an Alliant Energy customer, talk to your lender about "energy efficiency mortgages." You might be eligible for a lower interest rate if your home meets energy-use standards.
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