Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program | ME2

Is your home drafty? Need to replace your furnace? Want lower energy bills? Me2 is here to help with easy and affordable energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and now, windows. Me2 helps you take some of the dollars you are wasting on high energy bills and put them into energy-saving home improvements.

Focus on Energy partners with Wisconsin Utilities to offer cash-back rewards for insulation, air sealing, and mechanical upgrades. Summit Credit Union offers low-interest financing for no money down, no home equity, and no minimum credit score. Utilize these two through the Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) program and you get a happy home with lower bills.

Homeowners who have had their home inspected, insulated, and air sealed through Me2 have averaged a 30% reduction in energy use. Contact one of our Participating Me2 Contractors to find out how much you can save.

In addition to improving your home, Me2 is great for Milwaukee. All Participating Me2 Contractors are committed to putting Milwaukee residents to work. Plus, saving energy in your home reduces air pollution that can lead to respiratory problems and contribute to extreme weather events from climate change.

Use Federal Dollars on Your Project: Residential Energy Efficiency Inflation Reducation Act (IRA) Tax Credits & Direct Rebates

Not a Homeowner? Explore PACE Financing for energy efficiency improvements to commerical properties.

  • Overview
  • Program Steps
  • Eligibility
  • Improvements
  • Incentives
  • Contractors

Overview

The Me2 program offers an accessible, low-interest loan that can help you decrease your costs and increase your savings. Through our partner, Summit Credit Union, Me2 provides affordable financing up to $15,000 for eligible home improvements. 

If a loan isn't right for you, the project can be completed and you can still take advantage of additional savings with rebate incentives from Focus on Energy. The City of Milwaukee is NOT offering Me2 Bonus Incentives at this time.

Redirect the money you spend on high energy bills toward an investment in your home that will keep you and your family comfortable year round. You'll help your pocketbook, your family, the local economy, and the environment. 

Ready to Get Started? It's Easy:

Program Steps

1. Determine if the Loan, Incentives, or Both Are Right For You

  • Summit Credit Union offers three convenient options to apply for a Me loan:
  • Focus on Energy incentives are available at either Tier 1 or Tier 2 level based on income and family size. Visit the Focus on Energy website to determine if you qualify for Tier 2 incentives. If your income does not qualify, you may still receive Tier 1 incentives. Continue to the "Rebates & Incentives" page or contact the Me2 Program for more information.
  • Use Federal Dollars on Your Project: Residential Energy Efficiency Inflation Reducation Act (IRA) Tax Credits & Direct Rebates

2. Contact a Me2 Contractor to Develop a Project and Complete the Me2 Project Detail Form

  • The Me2 contractors are listed by the work they perform. Use the "Contractors" tab to find a list of Me² contractors.
  • If you don't know which improvement your home needs, select a "Full Service" Contractor. Full service contractors can perform energy assessments to help identify what projects best suit you and your home. 

3. Close your Me2 Loan at Summit Credit Union

  • A Summit lender will work with you on collecting the Me2 Project Detail Form, your contractor bid, and income verification to close the loan.
  • Not pursuing a Me2 Loan? Skip this step and continue to submit your Focus on Energy rebates/incentives. 

4. Complete the Project and Submit the Me2 Completion Certificate

5. Enjoy the Benefits

  • Me2 helps you take some of the dollars you are wasting on high energy bills and put them into energy-saving home improvements.
  • Insulation, air sealing, windows, and new furnaces and boilers can help you save energy while making your home more comfortable, safe, and quiet.
  • Incentives are paid after all paperwork has been received and approved.

Me2 Property Eligibility

You are eligible for energy-efficiency incentives if your home meets the following criteria:

  • Your property is located within the City of Milwaukee.
  • Single-family home, duplex, or triplex (3 units or less).
  • Owner of building must be listed as an individual and not as a trust, LLC, or form of business (Me2 loan customers only).
  • No delinquent property taxes due to the City of Milwaukee (Me2 Loan only).
  • Work must be performed by a Participating Me2 contractor. Me2 cannot finance do-it-yourself projects. 

Loan Terms and Eligibility     

The City of Milwaukee is pleased to partner with Summit Credit Union to help Milwaukee homeowners finance energy saving improvements. Me² financing helps you pay for your home upgrades in affordable monthly payments as you save on your energy bill. Summit Credit Union offers low-interest loans that do not require home equity.

  • Loan Size: Up to $15,000
  • Interest Rate: Fixed Rate 
  • Terms: Up to 15 years
  • No down payment
  • No home equity required
  • Summit pays your contractor directly after you sign off that the work was completed
  • Fees: No penalties for early payment

In general, qualified loan applicants will:

  • Meet property eligibility requirements
  • Be employed for the past 12-24 months
  • Have a debt to income ratio less than 45%
  • No minimum credit score requirement. Applicants with lower credit scores must have a longer recent employment history and lower outstanding debt obligations.

Eligible Improvements

With Me², you can finance primary energy efficiency improvements and a limited number of supporting safety improvements. 

Equipment must be listed on the Me2 Residential Project Detail Form.

 

Image of Sun and SnowflakeHigh Efficiency Hot Water Heaters, Heating & Cooling Equipment*

  • High efficiency furnaces & furnace/air conditioning packages (95%+ efficiency)
  • High efficiency boilers (90%+ efficiency)
  • Indirect Water Heater installed at the same time as a qualifying boiler
  • Geothermal or Groundsource Heat Pumps
  • Air Source Heat Pumps
  • Central Air Conditioning (14+ SEER)

 

Image of a window

ENERGY STAR® Rated Windows*

 

Attic & Wall Insulation

 

Attic & Wall Insulation

 

Image of Home with Heat Arrows

 

Air Sealing

*Additional Details

  • Supporting Safety Improvements
  • ENERGY STAR®
  • Cold Climate Considerations
  • Windows and Energy Efficiency

Construction Worker in the Home

Up to 20% of the Summit loan on each project may be for support measures that are necessary to install the primary energy efficiency measures.

These include (but are not limited to): electrical upgrades, asbestos/vermiculite removal, oil tank removal, minor roof repair, minor carpentry work such as creating attic access, mechanical ventilation, and door replacements.

Insulation, air sealing, attic ventilation, and other "whole house" improvements must be completed under the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program.

Use the "Contractors" tab to find a list of Me² participating contractors for these services. 

Home Diagram Highlighting Energy Start Upgrade Features

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ensures that each product that earns the label is independently certified to deliver the efficiency performance and savings that consumers have come to expect. 

A great resource for navigating the complexities of energy efficiency improvements is the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade, a carefully crafted set of six high-impact, energy efficiency improvements for your home. Designed to work together to deliver significant energy and cost savings, these upgrades can also help you transition from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier and more comfortable home. 

Upgrades include: heating and cooling, water heaters, smart thermostats, attic insulation, windows, and electric vehicle charging.

Family Wearing Winter Clothing

A cold climate heat pump is specifically designed to operate at low outdoor air temperatures. They use advanced compressors and refrigerants that allow for improved low temperature performance. Sometimes called “extended capacity,” these units are intended to supply enough heat for your home without a furnace or other fossil fuel heating source.

Currently, ductless cold climate heat pumps are more widely available than ducted models. Soon, ENERGY STAR certified cold climate heat pumps will excel at providing space heating even in the coldest of climates where winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing. Ask your contractor to help you choose an ENERGY STAR certified unit that is best suited to your home.

As part of the Energy, Emissions and Equity Initiative, the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy has launched the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge to accelerate performance of cold climate heat pump technologies.

Workers Installing a New Window

Windows are not ordinarily the biggest culprit for uncomfortable drafts and wasted energy in the home. Air sealing and insulation through Focus on Energy’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program typically provides the most cost effective solutions to saving energy and improving the comfort of your home. 

Me2 requires that homeowners first have their attic insulated and air sealed to minimum standards prior to, or in conjunction with, financing new windows. 

New energy efficient windows save more energy as compared to older or single pane windows. Information on selecting ENERGY STAR® rated windows can be found at the Efficient Windows Collaborative™ or by contacting a participating Me2 contractor. 

Participating Me2 Full Service or Insulation/Air Sealing Contractors can provide a comprehensive home energy assessment that will identify solutions customized for your home. Focus on Energy also provides rebates for insulation and airs sealing, but not for windows. Customers wishing to finance windows through Me2 should have their participating Me2 contractor complete the Me2 Windows Form.

2023 Incentive Table

Combine with Federal Dollars on Your Project: Residential Energy Efficiency Inflation Reducation Act (IRA) Tax Credits & Direct Rebates

 

Category

 

Description

 

Project Cost

Focus on Energy Incentives*

Net Cost

(Project cost minus INCENTIVE)

Tier 1

Tier 2

Air Sealing

ENERGY STAR® Qualified Air Sealing

(Energy assessment required)

 

$675

$1,125

 

Insulation

Attic Insulation

 

$525

$675

 

Insulation

Foundation Insulation

 

$150

$225

 

Insulation

Wall Insulation

 

$450

$450

 

Insulation

Duct Sealing & Insulation

 

$75

$75

 

Furnace

95% AFUE Single- or Multi-Stage Natural Gas

 

$50

$350

 

Furnace

96% AFUE Single- or Multi-Stage Natural Gas

 

$100

$450

 

Furnace

97%+ AFUE Multi-Stage Natural Gas

 

$150

$550

 
Central Air Conditioning

ENERGY STAR® Certified, SEER 14+ 

(No Focus Incentive at this time)

Enter Efficiency Rating: _______________

   $0 $0  
ECM

ECM Replacement

(must replace existing PSC Motor)

   $25 $25  
Air Source Heat Pumps

Minimum efficiency requirements vary (propane, oil, natural gas, or electric furnace only)

*See Focus on Energy

   *Varies *Varies  
Geothermal or Ground Source Heat Pumps

Incentive varies by primary heating fuel used (propane, oil, natural gas, or electric furnace only)

*See Focus on Energy

   *Varies *Varies  

Boiler

90-95%+ AFUE Natural Gas Standard

*See Focus on Energy

 

*Varies

*Varies

 

Boiler

90-95%+ AFUE Natural Gas Combination

*See Focus on Energy

 

*Varies

*Varies

 

Water Heater

Indirect Water Heater installed at the same time as a qualifying boiler

 

$100

$150

 

Water Heater

Qualified water heaters receive Focus on Energy instant discounts from participating Trade Allies

*Me2 Contractors are also Trade Allies

 

 

*Varies

 

*Varies

 
Thermostat Smart Thermostat installed by a qualified HVAC contractor. For use with natural gas furnace, natural gas boiler or air source heat pump only.   $50 $50  

Windows

ENERGY STAR® rated windows (#______ of windows); Attic insulation or Air Sealing required

 

$0

$0

 

SUBTOTAL

 

 

 

  

*Focus on Energy Incentives 

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities’ statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program. Focus on Energy is funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities, as required by law, and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. To participate in Focus on Energy programs, residents or business owners must be customers of a participating utility, such as We Energies.

Tier 2 Incentives SELF-SCREENING TOOL

Household Members

Gross Annual Income Upper Limit 

1

$42,804

2

$55,975

3

$69,145

4

$82,317

5

$95,488

6

$108,659

7

$111,128

8

$113,597
9 $116,065
10 $118,536
11 $121,005

 

Focus on Energy incentives for homeowners offers two levels of incentives:

Tier 1 Incentives are not based on income and are available directly through your participating Me2 contractor. 

Tier 2 Incentives offer higher incentives for income-eligible households. 

Compare your household size and income to the Self-Screening Tool to determine if you are eligible for Focus on Energy Tier 1 or Tier 2 Incentives. 

Participating Residential Contractors

To finance a project with Me2, the project must be completed by a participating Me2 contractor. All Me2 participating contractors have agreed to hire local workers on your project, and, because they are Trade Allies in the Focus on Energy program, they can help you get rebates on qualifying projects.

Homeowners may select any contractor from this list to complete their Me2 qualifying project and are encouraged, but not required, to get more than one bid for service.

The City of Milwaukee, the Me2 program, and Summit Credit Union:

  • Do not endorse any particular installation contractor, engineering firm, manufacturer, product, or system design by this offering.

  • Make no representation or warranty and assume no liability with respect to the quality, safety, performance, or other aspect of any design, consulting, product, system, equipment, or appliance installed or received and expressly disclaim any such representations, warranties, and liability, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Please contact your contractor for detailed manufacturer equipment warranties.

  • Recommend that you read and adhere to Homeowner Consumer Tips.

  • Do not guarantee that installation and operation of energy efficient equipment will result in reduced usage or in cost savings.

  • Are not liable for any damages, including any incidental or consequential damages, arising out of the operation or malfunction of the products, equipment, or appliances or the installation thereof.

Me2 strives for good customer service and quality workmanship. If you have an unsatisfactory experience with a Me2 contractor, first seek to resolve the issue directly with your contractor before contacting the Me2 program.

Full Service Contractors

  • Provide services for ALL Me2 qualified projects and can access ALL residential Focus on Energy incentives.
  • Perform home energy evaluations required for insulation and air sealing projects. A fee may be charged for this service. Ask for details.

Comfort 1st Insulation & Energy Solutions Inc.

2931 S. 108th St., West Allis, WI 53227
(833) 244-7283

Green Homeowners United

9618 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 604-6450

Insulation Technologies

Master Plumber License #224725

321 N. 25th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 732-2234

S&E Insulation

6438 W. Mill Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53218
(414) 332-3990

Weatherization Services, LLC

Master Plumber License #22399

1101 W. Layton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53221
(414) 873-4945

Furnace, Boiler, and Heat Pump Contractors

  • Provide services for Me2 HVAC, boiler, and water heater projects.
  • Can provide Focus on Energy incentives.
  • A home energy evaluation is NOT required to receive financing and incentives for qualified products in this category.

Action Heating

1011 W. Somers St, Milwaukee, WI 53205
(414) 291-5400

Affordable Heating & A/C

Master Plumber License #224725

4630 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Cudahy, WI 53110
(414) 481-2727

Aire Serv of West Allis

2261 S. 67th St, West Allis, WI 53219
(414) 310-1810

Bintz Heating and Sheet Metal

2729 W Carmen Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209
(414) 463-6490

Grant Park Heating & Cooling LLC

PO Box 447, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
(414) 215-7277

Rudy Uttke & Sons, Inc

4209 S. Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 483-2159

Quality Heating & Sheet Metal Co. Inc.

2840 N. Brookfield Rd. Ste 2, Brookfield, WI 53045
(262) 786-4450

Window Contractors

  • Provide services related to replacing your home's current windows with ENERGY STAR efficient windows.
  • Your home's insulation must first be inspected to ensure it meets minimum standards before windows can qualify.

All-Craft

8049 N. 64th St, Brown Deer, WI 53223
(414) 807-2408

Insulation Contractors

  • Provide services related to upgrading your home's insulation in the attic or walls. Insulation helps to maintain the temperature in your home and reduce energy waste. 

River City Woodworking

607A S. 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 54204
(414) 272-0437

Support Contractors

  • Provide support services for Me2 qualified projects.
  • Up to 20% of a Me2 loan can be used for home upgrades such as electrical improvements, asbestos repair, and roof repair.
  • The remaining 80% of a Me2 loan must be for primary energy efficiency projects like insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, or windows.

Green Energy Insulation Services

1136A S. Layton Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53215
(414) 810-3990

Pieper Electric, Inc

5070 N. 35th St, Milwaukee, WI 53209
(414) 462-7700

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