MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin has become one of the first states in the nation to launch a Home Energy Rebates program.

It is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to help homeowners save money while making their homes more energy efficient.

One of the first homeowners to take advantage of this program is Jim Coons, which earned him a visit from Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm Friday morning.

He recently added new insulation boards, a dual fuel heat pump and more foam to the rim joists in the basement.

The program helped him pay for the installation.

“It’s just made the house as a whole a lot more efficient and livable. It’s made this space specifically some place that we can really use and have activities,” Coons said.

Coons said Focus on Energy and Green Homeowners United helped him make these changes.

“We want to do what we can to save energy, to make the most of the resources that we are using, so in that way, it’s definitely made it feel more like our home,” Coons said. 

Evers said he believes it’s important for Wisconsinites to do what they can to make their homes more energy efficient, especially with the wild swings in temperatures the state experiences.

“What we want to make sure is that people have the opportunity to make their houses more sellable, more valuable at the same time making the comfort level in the house much better and they are saving money," Evers said.

The Home Energy Rebates program is a part of an $8.8 billion dollar investment from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Granholm said she believes the national program can provide a jolt to the economy.

She also promoted the program Friday morning at the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

“From an economic point of view, it will create 50,000 jobs across the country but also the point is saving people money," Granholm said. "On average, if people get their home weather used, they can save a third of their energy bills and we are obsessed with bringing down those costs for everyday citizens.”

Coons said he is looking forward to seeing the true impact of these changes.

“As far as dollars and cents, we are going to find out in a couple of days," Coons said. "That’s when our first We Energies bill comes back and expecting it to be 20% lower. So for the first time, I can remember, I’m looking forward to getting my energy bill.”

With a new yard sign in front of his house, Coons is happy to spread the word to others to potentially help make their homes more energy efficient.

To learn what type of rebates one can qualify for, click here.