As Focus on Energy celebrates 25 years of helping Wisconsinites save energy and money, we're joined by two builders who have helped shape the future of residential construction across the state.

Eric Willman of Veridian Homes and Cody Filipczak of C&M Builders discuss how homebuilding has evolved over the past quarter century, why energy efficiency has become a standard part of quality construction, and what today's homebuyers expect from a new home.

From insulation and air sealing to heat pump water heaters and advanced building practices, these builders explain how energy-efficient construction delivers comfort, durability, lower utility bills, and long-term value for homeowners.

Whether you're planning to build, buy, or simply curious about how Wisconsin homes are changing, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people building the future—one home at a time.

In this episode of "Watt’s Up Wisconsin?", host Ron Giordan sits down with energy policy expert Kathy Kuntz, who was involved in the early development of Focus on Energy before the program officially launched.

Kathy shares behind-the-scenes stories from the late 1990s when Wisconsin was building a statewide approach to energy efficiency. She talks about the early partnerships with utilities, the creative retail lighting promotions that helped move energy-efficient lighting into homes across the state, and the local businesses that helped protect the program during critical funding debates.

It’s a look at how collaboration, innovation, and persistence helped build one of the nation’s longest-running statewide energy efficiency programs.

We break down:

• Why insulation & air sealing should ALWAYS come first

• How Energy Advisors and Trade Allies work together

• What issues Jason sees inside Wisconsin homes every week

• How to stack Focus on Energy + IRA rebate savings

• Why these upgrades deliver some of the best returns on investment

• How to get started today

If your home has drafts, uneven temperatures, high bills, or comfort issues — this episode is for you.

In this special anniversary episode of Watt’s Up Wisconsin?, host Ron Giordan sits down with Jolene Sheil, Focus on Energy Portfolio Manager at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and one of the original leaders who helped build Focus on Energy from the ground up.

Together, they look back at how the program started, how it has evolved over the past 25 years, and what the data shows about its long-term impact — from strong cost-effectiveness to billions in lifecycle energy savings. Jolene also shares insights on the partnerships, people, and innovations that shaped the program, and what’s ahead as Wisconsin looks toward the next 25 years.

Whether you’ve worked with Focus on Energy for years or are just learning about it, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Wisconsin’s most enduring energy programs.

In this episode, host Ron Giordan talks with Dylan Crye, who manages the statewide HOMES and HEAR rebate programs through Focus on Energy. Dylan explains how these rebates work, how to stack them with existing Focus on Energy offers, and why this investment is a win for both homeowners and contractors across Wisconsin.

Learn how to get started, find an IRA-Registered Contractor, and start planning your own home energy upgrades today.

By upgrading his lighting and HVAC system, John didn’t just cut down on energy waste—he improved comfort for both his customers and employees while putting more money back into his business.

Focus on Energy provided the financial incentives that made these improvements affordable, showing how even small businesses can make a big difference with simple upgrades.

Key Takeaway:

Energy efficiency isn’t just for factories and big corporations—it’s a win for local businesses too. With Focus on Energy, a few smart upgrades can boost comfort, reduce costs, and brighten Wisconsin’s communities.

Together, they cover:

Free energy-saving packs every household can order each year

Rebates and discounts that make big home upgrades more affordable

Home energy assessments that uncover hidden savings and improve comfort

Inflation Reduction Act rebates that can cover up to 100% of project costs

Success stories from Wisconsin businesses, including one saving over $1.3 million annually

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, farmer, or business leader, this episode offers practical insights on how Focus on Energy can help you cut costs, reduce energy waste, and make your home or workplace more efficient.

Start your journey at focusonenergy.com

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