How One Madison Homeowner Fixed Freezing Rooms and Paid $0 with more than $12,000 in Support
When Marisol Martinez Ortiz moved into her Madison home, she expected a fresh start. Instead, she faced a winter she could not escape.
The house was cold. Windows froze from the inside. And her monthly energy bills climbed to nearly $550.
“I had the heat turned up all the time, and it was still freezing,” she said.
After months of trying to get help from another program—with no response—she was ready to give up.
Then she found FOCUS ON ENERGY® (Focus).
With step-by-step guidance, Spanish-language support, and more than $12,000 in combined and Focus incentives, Marisol was finally able to fix the problem—and pay nothing out of pocket. and Focus incentives, Marisol was finally able to fix the problem—and pay nothing out of pocket.
“This winter was completely different,” she said. “Nothing froze.”
About the Home
Marisol purchased her home in 2024. Built in 1976, it had the kind of hidden issues many older homes develop over time.
At first glance, everything seemed fine. But once winter arrived, the problems became impossible to ignore.
Like many homeowners, she wanted a space that felt comfortable and was affordable to live in—not one that required excessive heating just to get through the day.
Before the Upgrade
The home struggled to hold heat.
Cold air leaked through walls, windows, and doors. Some rooms felt much colder than others. Ice formed inside window frames. Even running the heat nonstop at high temperatures did not solve the problem.
At the same time, energy bills were nearly double what her neighbors were paying.
“When I saw the cost to fix it, I thought, ‘I cannot afford this,’” she said.
She tried another program first and was told she qualified—but months passed with no follow-up. Calls and emails went unanswered.
“I said, I cannot go through another winter like that,” she explained.
Discovering a Better Path
Marisol heard about the IRA Home Energy Rebates on a Spanish-language radio station and decided to try one more time.
This experience was different from the start.
She received a quick response. She was able to speak in Spanish. And when challenges came up—like delays with contractors—Focus staff helped her keep the project moving.
“They told me what to do and who to call,” she said.
Instead of managing everything on her own, she had support at each step.
The Upgrades
The project focused on fixing the root causes of heat loss, discomfort, and poor indoor air quality:
- Added insulation throughout the home to keep warm air inside.
- Sealed air leaks that were causing drafts and cold spots.
- Improved ventilation to help manage moisture and prevent mold.
These changes worked together to improve her home.
Making it Affordable
Through the IRA Home Energy Rebates and additional Focus incentives, Marisol qualified for more than $12,000 in financial support:
- $10,000 in IRA Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES)
- $2,360 in Focus insulation and air sealing incentives
Together, these covered the full cost of the project.
“I didn’t pay anything,” she said. “The invoice was zero.”
Incentive amounts vary based on eligibility, home characteristics, and project scope.
Results You Can Feel
The difference was immediate.
- No more frozen windows.
- Even temperatures throughout the home.
- A space that finally felt comfortable.
Her monthly energy bills also dropped—from about $550 to around $300.
“It changed my life,” she said. “This winter was nothing like last winter.”
Beyond lower costs, the home is now more comfortable and protected from future damage caused by moisture and heat loss.
Advice to Other Homeowners
Marisol encourages other homeowners not to wait, especially if their home feels uncomfortable or expensive to heat.
“Try it,” she said. “You don’t know how much help you can get.”
See What Your Home Qualifies For
If your home feels hard to heat, drafty, or more expensive than it should be, support may be available.
Focus connects you with:
- Trusted IRA Registered Contractors.
- Multilingual step-by-step guidance.
- Incentives that can significantly reduce—or in some cases fully cover—project costs.
Check your eligibility and get a clear path forward for your home.
