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Inflation Reduction Act

July 2, 2023

Update: On July 4. 2025 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, repealing a significant portion of the Inflation Reduction Act.  The Inflation Reeducation Act is landmark federal legislation that advances key priories of …


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Does Solar Increase the Resale Value of Your House?

June 15, 2023

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 your home’s value at the time of sale? How can …


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Decorah Businesses Encouraged to Utilize Energy Efficiency Programs

May 23, 2023

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 largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the City of …


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Building Electrification: The Devil’s in the Details

May 22, 2023

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, breaker boxes, rooftop solar, EVs, etc. All relatively straightforward, and …


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2023 Winneshiek Energy District Home Tour, June 10th

April 28, 2023

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 Decorah area homeowners for self-guided tours, Saturday, June 10th from …


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Energy Lunch Recap: Nonprofits and the IRA

March 3, 2023

by Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerOn March 21st, WED hosted an Energy Lunch to discuss how the new direct pay option allows non taxable entities to take advantage of the 30% federal renewable energy refundable tax …


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Using the Blower Door and Thermal Imaging Camera to Locate Air Leaks

December 21, 2022

by Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerA few weeks back a Decorah homeowner asked me to help locate air leaks in their flat roofed, mid-century home. We picked a cold day, where the temperature difference between the …


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Electrification at 120 Volts

December 21, 2022

Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerMost of us probably understand the general concept and benefits of home electrification. Electrify all aspects of our daily lives”?from space heating, water heating, home cooking, to transportation”?while at the same time …


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Ductless Heat Pumps

December 21, 2022

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 heat pumps use interior units that have incorporated evaporator coils …


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The Future of Battery Backup is Your Vehicle

October 28, 2022

Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerProlonged power outages in the wake of natural disasters show the value of solar with backup battery capabilities. Following Hurricane Ian back in September, many areas were left without power for weeks, …


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Deep Dive on Ducted Heat Pumps

September 26, 2022

Air source heat pumps powered by electricity (from here on out referred to as heat pumps) and used in conjunction with propane furnaces or as standalone units have significant operational and carbon savings benefits compared …


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Preparing for High Heating Costs

September 26, 2022

by Paul Cutting, Energy PlannerHigh energy bills are expected this year. (Read this article for an analysis of why.) What can you do to get ready? First of all, go after all the low hanging …


Celebrating the Old and the New: Sustainability at Vesterheim

July 18, 2022

Maddi MacDonald, Green Iowa Americorps It was a great pleasure to welcome Chris Johnson, President/CEO of Vesterheim, on 06.21.22 to speak about the Vesterheim expansion and energy projects. Vesterheim is the National Norwegian-American Museum and …


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Energy Bills Rising: Black Hills

March 2, 2022

by Joel Zook, Energy Planner We’ve been asked recently why Black Hills natural gas bills are rising and continue to rise when the rate increase was a one-time deal, and was reported to be a …