Home heating tips
Financial Assistance
- The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) helps low-income households meet home energy needs.
- Project Home WI provides help with weatherization, like air sealing and insulation. This can make a big difference to make your home safer and lower your utility bills.
- United Way 211 connects people to resources for paying heat, electricity, and other utility bills.
Heating & Safety
- During a storm: Find tips for safe heating during a winter storm.
- Furnace: Make sure that your furnace is working efficiently.
- Call a heating contractor to inspect furnaces, vents, and chimneys.
- Change filters at the beginning of the heating season and at recommended intervals.
- Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms regularly, and make sure they are installed correctly.
Rentals without enough heat
If the temperature inside your rented home or apartment is less than 67°F, contact your housing provider (landlord) right away. The Tenant Resource Center has a templates for contacting your housing provider.
If the problem is not fixed in a reasonable amount of time, file a complaint:
- Report an interior property issue
- Call Building Inspection: 608-266-4551
Learn more about heat requirements for rental housing.
Water & Plumbing
- Make sure the water line to outside faucets is off, the hoses disconnected, and the line drained.
- Prevent frozen pipes. The Red Cross has tips for preventing and thawing frozen pipes.
- If you will be away from home for several days, keep your home heated to at least 65°F. Have a friend check your house to make sure it is warm enough to keep your pipes from freezing.
- If you will be away from home for a long time, you can also shut off and drain your entire water system. Consider having the water shut off at the street, removing the water meter, and draining the plumbing.
If you believe your pipes have frozen, turn off the water at the main valve to your home and call a plumber.
If a pipe bursts and you cannot shut your water off, contact Water Utility. After-hours emergency number: 608-266‑4665.
