Explore Local Energy Efficiency in Home Tour Series

DECORAH — The Winneshiek Energy District invites the public to the 2024 Clean Energy Home Tour on Saturday, September 14, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. This free, self-guided tour features seven Decorah-area homes where homeowners have implemented innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Participants will see examples of roof and ground-mounted solar, heat pumps for space and water heating, passive solar design and examples of energy-conscious construction. Electric vehicles will also be featured, along and other strategies designed to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. Homeowners will be on-site to share their experiences and insights, offering an honest assessment of the strategies and approaches that have worked best for them. A few highlights from this year's tour include: The Peterson's, an all-electric mid-20th century ranch house featuring rooftop solar, a ducted cold climate air source heat pump, a wood stove, and a hybrid heat pump hot water heater. The Scholl's, a new home incorporating passive solar design, a super efficient and tight building envelope meant to lower heating and cooling needs, and geothermal heating and cooling. The Martin-Schramm's, a mid-20th century home with an existing hot water heating system coupled with cold climate ductless heat pumps for ultra efficient air conditioning and shoulder season heating, along with rooftop solar. Participants can visit homes at their own pace on foot, by car, or via bike. Weather permitting, a group bike ride will depart from the Heritage Park pavilion on S. Mill Street in Decorah at 1:15 p.m. and bike the route, including a scenic stretch of the Trout Run Trail, stopping at each of the seven homes. "It's an exciting time to consider clean energy upgrades," says Winneshiek Energy District Executive Director, Kristin Eggen. "Federal tax credits are already available to help make these upgrades more affordable, and additional rebates are on their way. Now's the time to explore possibilities and make a plan." For more more information, visit: www.energydistrict.org/tour. This event was made possible by supporters of the Winneshiek Energy District.