Post Author's Photographer By WED Intern December 2, 2025

By Paula Vega, Luther College student intern at Winneshiek Energy District 

 

Last week, Winneshiek Energy District held three Saving Clinics across the county — in Calmar, Decorah, and Ossian. The goal was simple but important: to invite people in, listen to their experiences with energy, and share ways to make their homes more efficient. 

As part of my internship with WED, I helped make the events bilingual and welcoming, especially for Spanish-speaking residents. I also interviewed several participants about their energy use and what affordability looks like for them. What I heard were honest, often emotional stories about what it means to stay warm, stay comfortable, and stay within budget. 

Living with High Costs 

In Calmar, M, a Hispanic mother of three, rents an old house without central air. Her energy bills can reach $300 a month, and even then, the heat doesn’t fully warm the rooms. “Sometimes it’s hard to afford them,” she said. She isn’t familiar with clean energy options but is eager to learn, mostly because saving money would bring real relief for her family. 

In Decorah, renters like D and M face similar limits. Both live alone and say that while their energy bills vary, the winter months are always difficult. “It gets tough in the winter,” Marsha told me. Her main strategy is to keep the lights off when she’s not using them and turn the heat down — small steps that help a little, but not enough. “I can’t do much because of the landlord,” she added, echoing a challenge that came up again and again.

For renters, energy efficiency often depends on someone else’s choices. They might want better insulation or more efficient appliances, but those upgrades are out of their control. 

Small Steps, Big Intentions 

Not everyone feels stuck, though. J, who rents in Decorah with a roommate, has taken action where he can: switching to LED lightbulbs, putting plastic over windows in winter, and installing a heat pump water heater. “I try to keep the bills low,” he said about his energy bills. He’s also interested in insulation and clean energy options, showing that small changes can still make a difference. 

C, a homeowner in Decorah, has also taken the next step by signing up for a WED home energy audit. She told me she’s interested in solar energy and wants to help the environment. Similarly, A, who owns her home, said her bills are “way too high” — and that’s what motivated her to schedule an audit, too. She keeps her house cold in the winter, relying on sweatshirts instead of heat. “I’d love solar panels,” she said, though she’s unsure how durable they’d be in Iowa’s weather. 

The Seasonal Struggle 

Further south in Ossian, C shared how her energy bills depend heavily on the season. In summer, she pays little. But in winter, the total can reach $500–$600, especially in December and January. “We save money in the summer so we can pay in the winter,” she explained. Her home needs better insulation, something she knows could help, but like many others, she has to balance cost and timing.

L, another resident from the same area, described a similar pattern. Her family of four owns their home, but the bills are still high. “It’s very expensive,” she said, explaining that they try to delay using the heater for as long as possible. “We just put on sweatshirts.” 

Patterns That Speak 

Across all three towns — Calmar, Decorah, and Ossian — the same themes kept coming up: high energy costs, limited options, and a growing interest in clean energy. 

Most people want to save money and are willing to make changes, but many simply don’t know where to start or can’t make structural improvements on their own. Renters are limited by landlords, while homeowners often face the upfront cost of upgrades. Still, what stood out was people’s willingness to learn and their curiosity about cleaner, more affordable solutions. 

Even small acts — turning off lights, sealing windows, wearing extra layers — show that people are trying their best with what they have. 

Why These Conversations Matter 

Listening to these stories reminded me that energy isn’t just about power bills or appliances. It’s about comfort, safety, and dignity — about how people live day to day. For some, like Melissa or Lynie, keeping a home warm is a family priority, even when it means financial stress. For others, like J or C, saving energy is also about environmental responsibility. 

Winneshiek Energy District’s Saving Clinics offered more than just information. They created space for people to talk, learn, and feel supported. Every conversation reflected a shared challenge — and a shared hope — for more affordable and sustainable energy in the county.

Energy affordability, it turns out, isn’t just about numbers on a bill. It’s about people doing their best to balance cost, comfort, and care for the place they call home.

 

This project was made possible with support from the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition. 

 

 

WED Intern

Energy Efficient Buildings Event Recap Home Energy Resources

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