Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
Efficiency Navigator
The Efficiency Navigator is a city-sponsored initiative that provides free energy efficiency and other upgrades to small- and medium-sized multifamily housing. Participation is open to unsubsidized multifamily housing with owners willing to hold rents at Housing and Urban Development defined Fair Market Rent. Selected buildings receive free technical assistance and building upgrades such as efficient lighting; improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; better insulation and air sealing; water softener optimization, tune-ups or replacement; water conserving fixtures; and recommendations to improve home health (e.g. reduce asthma triggers). Selected buildings must maintain rent at the fair market rate for at least five years. See the Efficiency Navigator website for more details and to apply.
Project Home
Project Home administers the Weatherization Assistance Program on behalf of the State of Wisconsin for Dane County and Green County. It also offers repair and rehabilitation programs on behalf of the City of Madison for single and multifamily residential buildings serving income-eligible Madisonians.
Multifamily Weatherization Assistance
Project Home will perform low to no cost weatherization for apartment buildings with four or more units and at least half of tenants qualifying for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). Weatherization work may include air sealing, attic insulation, exterior wall insulation, repairing or replacing inefficient furnaces, and other measures to protect the building's structural integrity. Visit Project Home's website to see if your building qualifies for free to low cost energy upgrades.
Home Repair Assistance
Project Homes' Home Repair Assistance program provides low cost home repairs and accessibility modifications for qualified homeowners in the City of Madison. Financing options may differ depending on the improvement needs of the home. Visit the Project Home website to learn more.
City of Madison Programs
Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program
The Rental Rehab Loan Program offers help to owners who need to make major repairs to their properties, implement energy-efficiency upgrades, and comply with building codes and regulations. The program offers owners of properties (that charge no more than fair market rents) access to up to $200,000 in low-cost loans to update or improve housing units.
For the first year, the City will waive the $75 application fee and offer more attractive loan terms for properties within identified north, south, and southwest neighborhood boundaries(opens in a new window) to encourage participation of property owners in those locations. Geomap(link is external) can help show you if your property is in one of these identified areas (census tracts 6, 14.01, and 21). Loan amounts are also dependent on the number of units in your property.
| Number of Housing Units | Potential Loan Amount |
|---|---|
| 1-6 housing units | Up to $75,000 |
| 7-12 housing units | Up to $150,000 |
| 13-20 housing units | Up to $200,000 |
Check out these resources to apply and learn more:
Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program Guidelines
Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program Application
MadiSUN Solar Energy Group Buy
MadiSUN is the City of Madison’s initiative to expand solar energy for homes and businesses. Reduce the cost of going solar by tapping into the group buy program, which uses collective purchasing power of interested residents throughout Dane County to negotiate lower prices for solar installation. Visit the Madison Group Buy website to learn more.
Focus on Energy
Residential Rebate Finder
Focus on Energy provides rebates for residential energy efficiency technology. Learn more at Focus on Energy Get Started.
Wisconsin IRA Home Energy Rebates.
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Wisconsin has been allocated $149 million for Home Energy Rebates. Focus on Energy was chosen by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to deliver IRA Home Energy Rebate Programs. Both Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) are NOW AVAILABLE.
