Common Council

Great news! Local nonprofit Sustain Dane is still accepting applications for their Efficiency Navigator Program.

Local nonprofit Sustain Dane is still accepting applications for their Efficiency Navigator program. In partnership with Elevate, the Northside Planning Council, and the City of Madison, the program helps affordable multifamily housing become more efficient, affordable, and resilient while reducing operating costs for owners and energy cost burden for residents. The goals of the Efficiency Navigator program are to address housing resilience, equity, and climate change. Sustain Dane and Elevate provide complimentary energy assessments, contractor coordination, and funds for recommended measures with step-by-step navigation of implementation.

Have you considered an air-source heat pump? One way to reduce your carbon footprint is with air-source heat pumps. Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) can provide efficient heating and cooling in both multifamily and single-family homes. This technology has been used for decades across the United States, and advancements in recent years has led to air-source heat pumps designed to provide comfortable heating even in climates which experience extended periods of subfreezing temperatures such as Wisconsin (cold climate air-source heat pump).

When properly installed, cold climate air-source heat pumps can efficiently and comfortably heat homes while doubling as an air conditioner in the summer months.

Air-source heat pump retrofits are available for homes with and without ducted heating systems. For buildings currently using electric resistance or propane for heating, cold climate air-source heat pumps are ideal to realize more cost and energy savings.

Research has found cold climate air-source heat pumps can save up to 55% on heating bill costs and 55% on energy use when replacing an electric resistance system. When replacing propane systems, this technology can save up to 30% on heating bill costs and 40% on heating energy use.

"Reducing monthly expenses for utility costs can help keep rental units affordable and reduce the expense for residents," said Sustain Dane Executive Director Claire Oleksiak. "Plus, efficiency upgrades can lead to more comfortable and healthy homes."

To upgrade to a cold climate air-source heat pump, costs can range from $7,000 to $12,000 in single-family homes, and $8,000 to $12,000 per unit in multifamily units, prior to financial incentives or rebates. The variance in price depends on the existing equipment and the size of the space you wish to heat and cool. In addition to a Focus on Energy incentive, Sustain Dane and Elevate's Efficiency Navigator program is one opportunity for financial incentives to potentially cover air-source heat pump installation and other energy efficiency measures.

If you are an owner of multifamily housing, apply for funding on Sustain Dane's online application. An application in Spanish is also available. If you are a resident with burdensome energy bills, please reach out to Sustain Dane's efficiency navigator & outreach specialist, Valora Gutierrez, at valora@sustaindane.org.

You can learn more about eligibility and what is offered with Sustain Dane's Northside work here. To read about Sustain Dane's over-20-year history of serving the community, visit their website. Buildings that are home to families with children and where utility bills are a challenge for residents are strongly encouraged to apply.

Thank you to Sustain Dane and Elevate for sharing information about their Efficiency Navigator program