Unlock Energy Rebates for Stoughton Homes Today

Thinking about upgrading your Stoughton home but worried about the cost? You may be able to offset thousands of dollars with new rebates that are live in Wisconsin. Whether you want lower utility bills, a quieter and more comfortable home, or stronger buyer appeal when you sell, you have options. Below is a simple guide to what is available, who qualifies, and how to claim your savings. Information is current as of October 16, 2025. Let’s dive in.

What rebates are available in Stoughton

Wisconsin runs two major home energy rebate programs through Focus on Energy. The Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) launched in August 2024, and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) began contractor installations on December 18, 2024, with retail discounts rolling out later. You can confirm statewide milestones on the Wisconsin Public Service Commission page for federal funding updates.

• HOMES helps pay for whole‑home efficiency upgrades after an energy assessment. You can typically save from about $1,500 up to around $10,000 depending on income and modeled energy savings. See details on the Wisconsin HOMES overview.
• HEAR is income based and can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs, capped at $14,000 for households under 80% of Area Median Income. Households between 80% and 150% AMI can receive 50% of costs up to the same $14,000 cap. Review current amounts and product caps on the HEAR program page.

Stoughton Utilities participates with Focus on Energy, so eligible customers in Stoughton can use these rebates. You can verify utility participation in the Focus on Energy partner listing and contact the City of Stoughton utilities page if you have account questions.

HOMES at a glance

HOMES is a performance‑based program that rewards energy savings across your entire home. It starts with a home energy assessment to model projected savings and set your rebate level.

• Eligible upgrades include insulation, air sealing, ventilation, windows and doors per program rules, and qualifying efficient HVAC such as heat pumps.
• Rebates scale with savings and provide larger support for lower‑income households. Typical totals range from roughly $1,500 to $10,000. Learn more on the Wisconsin HOMES overview.

HEAR at a glance

HEAR focuses on electrification and the electrical updates that make it possible. Income is central to eligibility and rebate size.

• If your household is below 80% AMI, you may qualify for 100% of eligible costs up to $14,000. If you are between 80% and 150% AMI, you may qualify for 50% of costs up to $14,000. Households above 150% AMI are not eligible.
• Representative per‑item caps include up to $8,000 for a heat pump, $1,750 for a heat‑pump water heater, $4,000 for an electrical panel upgrade, $2,500 for wiring, and $1,600 for insulation and air sealing. Review current amounts and qualifying products on the HEAR program page.

Who qualifies in Stoughton

• You must be a customer of a participating utility at the time of purchase or installation. Stoughton Utilities is a Focus on Energy partner. Confirm your account and any local program details through the City of Stoughton utilities page and the partner listing.
• For HEAR and income‑tiered HOMES rebates, you will complete income verification. Focus on Energy offers streamlined options and documentation guidance on the income qualification page.

Projects that deliver the biggest savings

If you are planning a phased approach, prioritize upgrades that score the highest rebates and reduce the most energy use.

• Heat pumps for heating and cooling. These often receive the largest incentives under HEAR.
• Heat‑pump water heaters. A strong value upgrade if your tank is near end of life.
• Electrical panel and wiring upgrades. These unlock future electrification, sometimes with sizable rebates.
• Insulation and air sealing. Critical for comfort and utility savings, and eligible under both HOMES and HEAR in specific contexts.
• Whole‑home retrofit bundles. Under HOMES, combining measures after an energy assessment can increase your total rebate. See the Wisconsin HOMES overview for details.

How to claim your rebate step by step

1. Confirm utility participation. Make sure your property is served by Stoughton Utilities and that your account is in good standing. If needed, start at the City of Stoughton utilities page and the Focus on Energy partner listing.
2. Check income eligibility. If you plan to use HEAR or qualify for higher HOMES tiers, review the Focus on Energy income qualification guidance.
3. Line up the right pro. For HEAR, use an IRA‑registered contractor. For HOMES, schedule an approved energy assessment. Ask for multiple bids and confirm who will handle paperwork. Focus on Energy can help at 800‑762‑7077.
4. Reserve and document. Some projects require pre‑approval. Keep invoices, income documents if needed, and installer certifications. Review program requirements on the Focus on Energy application guidance page.
5. Install and submit. After installation, submit your application and expect possible inspection. Processing times vary, and several weeks is common depending on volume and documentation.

Timing, taxes, and stacking incentives

• Timelines. Rebate checks typically arrive several weeks after approval, and some programs publish windows around 8 to 10 weeks depending on volume.
• Stacking incentives. In many cases you can combine rebates with federal tax credits, although you may need to subtract rebates from your tax credit basis. Review IRS guidance on current residential energy credits and confirm timing with a tax professional.
• Solar and renewables. Wisconsin also offers prescriptive incentives for residential solar through Focus on Energy and a state sales tax exemption for qualifying renewable equipment. Details are available in the Focus on Energy guidebook. Program rules and tax policies can change, so verify before you act.

Buyers and sellers: why this matters

If you plan to sell in the next 12 to 24 months, strategic upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, and updated electrical service can improve comfort for you now and support buyer interest later. Lower estimated utility costs and newer systems are easy talking points on a listing. If you are buying, knowing which homes already have these improvements can help you compare total cost of ownership.

At Husky Homes, we help you plan high‑impact improvements and tap our preferred vendor network so you can move fast. If you are preparing to list, we can advise on pre‑market updates and, where appropriate, help coordinate funding and execution through Compass Concierge.

Quick local contacts

• Program details and applications. Review the HEAR program page for current caps, eligibility, and contractor requirements.
• Focus on Energy support. Call 800‑762‑7077 for help finding a trade ally and confirming application steps.
• Stoughton Utilities. Start on the City of Stoughton utilities page to confirm your account and ask about any local requirements.
• Program oversight. See state‑level updates on HOMES and HEAR on the Wisconsin PSC funding page.

Ready to plan your upgrades or align improvements with a sale? Reach out to the team at Husky Homes for local guidance, a clear plan, and access to trusted pros.

FAQs

What energy rebates can Stoughton homeowners use in 2025?

• Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy runs two major options, HOMES for whole‑home efficiency and HEAR for electrification and appliances, both available to eligible Stoughton Utilities customers; see the HOMES overview and the HEAR program page for current amounts.

How do HEAR income limits work for rebates?

• Households under 80% of Area Median Income may receive 100% of eligible costs up to $14,000, and households between 80% and 150% AMI may receive 50% of costs up to $14,000; households above 150% AMI are not eligible, and details are on the HEAR program page.

Do I need to own my home to use these programs?

• HOMES is generally aimed at owner‑occupied homes, and HEAR can apply to rental properties with owner involvement; landlords and renters should confirm rules on the HOMES overview and HEAR program pages.

Can I combine Wisconsin rebates with federal tax credits?

• Often yes, but in some cases you must subtract rebates from the tax credit basis; review current IRS guidance on residential energy credits and confirm with a tax professional before you purchase.

How long does it take to get a rebate check after installation?

• Processing varies by program and application completeness; plan for several weeks, and some utilities note typical windows around 8 to 10 weeks depending on volume and inspections.