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The Focus on Energy programs are great when you read about them, but they are even better in reality. Many of the program participants are so happy with their outcomes, they allow us to share their stories. Listed below are some recent stories we'd like to share with you.

Focus on Energy’s Affordable Housing Program
Energy efficient homes are affordable homes. To prove this point, Focus on Energy’s Affordable Housing Program joined forces with a Milwaukee community group in summer 2008 to rehabilitate a century-old home on the city’s south side.

The impressive results—50-percent savings on total energy costs and 70-percent savings on heating costs—demonstrate the dramatic savings that can be achieved when builders and contractors set out to improve the energy efficiency of an existing home armed with aggressive goals and a comprehensive plan. To find out the Milwaukee home was transformed, please read our case study.
     From Aging Foreclosure to ENERGY STAR^® Case Study

Renewable Energy and Multifamily Housing
Troy Gardens, a 30-unit residential project was built renewable ready, with many homeowners choosing to build solar electric and solar hot water at the time of construction. Find out how this was done affordably, the other energy efficient building practices used and how Focus on Energy was able to help.
     Troy Gardens Case Study

Wisconsin ENERGY STAR^® Homes Staff Go Beyond the Call of Duty to Guarantee Comfort, Safety, Durability, and Energy Efficiency
The Bruss family of Appleton was preparing to move into their brand-new home when Todd Bruss watched the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes consultant use an infrared camera to find some poorly insulated spots in his attic. The consultant crawled into the attic and fixed the problem on the spot. "This was definitely above and beyond the call of duty," says Todd.

The Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes consultant was at the house to perform the third review of the building process to ensure that construction quality standards were met. An infrared test is not usually part of the third review, but the camera happened to be in the consultant's car. A potential energy leak was found and fixed before it became a problem.

The family is relieved to know they now live in a safe and energy-efficient home. Their last home had major moisture problems, resulting in mold on the windows. "We appreciate this program's standards, which are way beyond the required building codes in Wisconsin. I hope to see these higher standards used in all new construction," says Todd.

Homeowners Recognize Long-Term Benefits of a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR^® Home
To Julie and Jeff Braun, the lower monthly energy costs they pay in their new Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home are a big relief. But there's more to it than that. "The long-range forecast on energy bills that the program provided is very valuable to us. It's nice to have the costs spelled out," says Jeff.

The Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes program estimates a home's annual energy usage and expense before it is built, and presents that information to the homeowner. The Brauns' new Cape Cod home will use substantially less energy than a similar home built to Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code.

Schmidt Brothers Construction of Appleton, a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes partner, built the Brauns' home. "Schmidt Brothers explained, in detail, the benefits of having a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home. We liked the idea that the program will increase the value of the house," says Jeff. "I would strongly encourage anyone building to go with this program."