Winneshiek Energy District Energy Planner Paul joins Winneshiek Energy District with a background in teaching and carpentry. For the last seven years Paul was a high school industrial tech teacher in Lanesboro, MN. There he taught carpentry, cabinetmaking, electricity, engineering design, graphic design, CAD, entrepreneurship, and more generally, enjoyed helping youngsters grow into capable and confident young adults. Prior to teaching, Paul spent several years as a carpenter disassembling and reconstructing 19th century Norwegian-built log buildings for clients. He also worked several seasons for HistoriCorps, a non-profit that pairs volunteers with hands-on historic preservation projects throughout the mountain west. In his free time Paul enjoys making furniture, trail running with his dog Bobo, scheming backpacking trips out west, camping in his homemade teardrop camper, and rehabbing his 170 year old brick house.

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Your Fall Home Energy Checklist

As autumn brings crisp air and cooler evenings, now is an ideal time to prep your home for the upcoming heating season. A few simple …

A Fresher Approach to Drying Clothes

When we talk about residential energy efficiency, heating, cooling and insulation usually come to mind. Yet sitting in every home’s utility room is one of …

On versus Auto: The Thermostat Setting that Changes Summer Comfort

Take a look at your AC thermostat and you’ll notice a toggle switch labeled “Fan” with two choices: On or Auto. Which do you choose …

Utility Bill Explainer: Alliant Energy

Each month you receive a bill from your local utility for the electricity you use. Most of the time, you skip the details and focus …

What we learned: 30 Energy Audits in Decorah

Winneshiek Energy District’s recently completed City of Decorah Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program successfully provided home energy assessments to thirty middle and lower …

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Bringing Sustainable Energy Home: A J-Term Partnership

This year marks the third year that Winneshiek Energy District has partnered with Luther College and professor Laura Peterson on their January term class, Bringing …

Depot Outlet Supports Energy Auditing Equipment for Winneshiek Residents

The Winneshiek Energy District is excited to share the impact of a recent grant from the Depot Outlet, which has expanded our ability to serve …

Clean Energy Tour Recap: Real Home, Real Savings on Ridge Road

On Saturday, October 18 homeowner Eric Baack welcomed community members to his Ridge Road home to showcase a decade-long journey of energy upgrades—some visible, some …

Balcony Solar is on the Rise, Not Yet in Iowa

Plug-in balcony solar arrays are beginning to attract attention in the US after rapid growth in Europe. The idea first gained traction in Germany, where …

Is a Heat Pump Right for your Home?

With the federal tax credit for air-source heat pumps expiring at the end of 2025, it might be a good time to take a closer …

Choosing a Solar Contractor

Get at least two Bids Start local, but get at least two, possibly more, bids for your project so you can compare quotes, recommendations, and …

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Electric Vehicle Charging in Winneshiek County

Publicly available electric vehicle charging has greatly improved in Winneshiek County and northeast Iowa. Within Decorah city limits, there are now sixteen level 2 chargers …

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Pending Electric Rate Shocks: Make Your Voice Heard

Jim Martin-Schramm Last fall, Alliant Energy sent a notice to customers about its application to the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to increase rates. For many, …

Decorah Family Saves by Installing Heat Pump Water Heater

Decorah’s Kim and Mary Glock recently upgraded their 50-gallon electric resistance water heater to an electric hybrid heat pump water heater, resulting in energy savings …

The City of Decorah’s Partnership with CEDI Receives a Major Federal Grant

By Jim Martin-Schramm, Policy Analyst, Clean Energy Districts of IowaOn October 12, 2023, the Department of Energy announced that the City of Decorah, in partnership …

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Decorah Family Cuts the Gas Line and Goes All Electric

Guest Story by Laura Peterson Earlier this month our energy utility came to shut off our natural gas connection. Usually, having your gas service cut …

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Moving the Needle: How One Rural Congregation Electrified its Building and Secured its Future

Guest Story by Jim and Liz Fritz,Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Decorah, IowaIs it possible for a small Midwestern Lutheran congregation to go from eight natural …

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Can I buy an EV, Already?!

According to Autolist.com’s 2023 Electric Vehicle Survey, new car buyers’ top concerns with EVs include sky-high prices, range limitations, and a lack of public charging. …

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Attention Charge Station Owners: Iowa’s electric vehicle charging tax starts July 1

By Andy Johnson, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa Executive DirectorHeads up electric vehicle (EV) charge station owners: All non-residential EV charging that happens in the …

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Does Solar Increase the Resale Value of Your House?

When it comes to buying and selling a home, what exactly is the value of solar? Does having solar panels on your roof actually increase …

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Decorah Businesses Encouraged to Utilize Energy Efficiency Programs

Decorah Businesses Encouraged to Utilize Energy Efficiency ProgramsBy Jim Martin-Schramm, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa Policy Analyst According to a study completed in 2020, the …

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Building Electrification: The Devil’s in the Details

Browsing Rewiring America’s website, it’s easy to get excited about the potential benefits of home electrification. Heat pumps, induction stoves, ventless heat pump clothes dryers, …

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2023 Winneshiek Energy District Home Tour, June 10th

Tour area homes and learn about solar installations, heat pumps, energy efficiency, and sustainable building practices! Winneshiek Energy District is excited to partner with six …

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Ductless Heat Pumps

Ductless heat pumps are exciting for their potential to serve as low-cost, straightforward and simple solutions to home heating electrification. As the name implies, ductless …

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Expect High Home Heating Costs This Winter

Get ready, it may cost a lot more to heat your home this winter. The convergence of a multitude of factors, including the war in …

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IRA Consumer Incentives Fact Sheets

Inflation Reduction Act Consumer Incentives Fact Sheets! Click each fact sheet to download PDF.                       …

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Get Charged Up! EV Event

  Join us October 13 for the Northeast Iowa Get Charged Up! EV Event! A line up of subject matter experts and panel discussions will …

Award will Improve Efficiency in two Decorah Apartment Buildings

DECORAH – With help from the Winneshiek Energy District and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, the City of Decorah applied for $233,638 from the Iowa …