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Your support keeps truth alive in Decorah—donate to local news today! WINNESHIEK COUNTY — Starting in June 2025, homeowners and renters in Winneshiek County can request free installation of energy-saving measures by signing up for Bill Savers, a new program offered by the Winneshiek Energy District. A Bill Savers appointment takes less than 30 minutes and includes the installation of energy-efficient equipment such as LED light bulbs, hot water pipe insulation, low-flow faucet aerators, and more. Appointments are available Saturday, June 21, and Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign up at energydistrict.org/billsavers or call 563-382-4207, ext. 1, to schedule. "The idea grew out of a community member's passion for energy affordability. When we looked at rising energy prices combined with the potential loss of funding for programs like the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), we knew we had to do something to keep energy bills affordable in our community," said Winneshiek Energy District Executive Director Kristin Eggen. "Our mission includes increasing energy efficiency in Winneshiek County, so the idea was a perfect fit." The Bill Savers Home Install program is powered by volunteers of all ages and abilities who spend a Saturday morning swapping light bulbs and helping neighbors save energy. To volunteer, email Rorie Weidow at rorie@energydistrict.org or call 563-382-4207, ext. 1. "It is a practical way to make a difference in your community and meet new people. Nobody wants their heat shut off because they can't pay their bills," said Bill Savers champion and volunteer Joel Zook. "Bill Savers won't instantly solve unaffordable bills, but it will help people — especially our neighbors who are unable to perform these installs themselves — have more affordable bills and a comfortable home," said Eggen. The Bill Savers program is modeled after the Winneshiek Energy District's longtime Green Iowa AmeriCorps First Step Home Efficiency program, which employed AmeriCorps volunteers to perform free energy audits and install similar efficiency upgrades across northeast Iowa. From 2012 to 2023, the First Step program saved northeast Iowans an estimated $1.7 million in energy costs and avoided more than 14,000 tons of carbon emissions. Donations to support the Bill Savers program can be made at energydistrict.org/donate or mailed to Winneshiek Energy District, P.O. Box 14, Decorah, IA 52101. Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.

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New Bill Savers Program Offers Energy-Saving Home Installs