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From Misunderstood Costs to Smarter Projects

Most homeowners don’t fully understand what HVAC and insulation projects will actually cost—or what rebates really cover.

Some expect incentives to pay for everything. Others assume they won’t qualify at all.

That uncertainty leads to hesitation—and projects that never move forward.

Dave Geissler, owner of On Site Performance Testing in Chippewa Falls, helps customers see the full picture.  

As an IRA Registered Contractor working with FOCUS ON ENERGY® (Focus), he helps turn confusion into informed decisions by breaking down real costs, realistic incentives, and the best path forward. The result? Projects that actually get done. 

Ss ira focus on energy excellence award

A Contractor Built Around Problem-Solving

Dave has spent more than 20 years in energy efficiency, completing over 14,000 home assessments.

His business is family-run, working alongside his daughter and son-in-law.

But what sets his work apart is not just testing, it is what happens next.

“We’re kind of a niche business,” Dave said. “We help make the whole process work.”

That includes:

  • Energy assessments and modeling.
  • Contractor coordination.
  • Paperwork and rebate submission.

Instead of handing customers a report and leaving them to figure it out, Dave helps them move all the way through the process.

Clarity That Moves Projects Forward

Most customers assume they cannot afford the work—or misunderstand what incentives cover.  

“People see $5,000 or $10,000 and think that’s all they’ll pay,” Dave said. “But they don’t realize what the full project costs.”

Without clarity, many projects stall before they begin. Dave addresses that directly.

“I’m right up front with customers,” he said. “I want them to understand what to expect so we can move forward.”

Through the IRA Home Energy Rebates, Dave turns a complex process into a structured plan.

He helps customers:

  • Understand full project costs—not just rebate amounts.
  • Identify the most impactful upgrades.
  • Coordinate contractors and timelines.
  • Manage paperwork and approvals.  
  • Combine incentives across programs.

Instead of a fragmented process, customers experience one coordinated pathway.

Turning Incentives into Real Projects

For many customers, affordability is the deciding factor.

By stacking incentives, Dave helps turn large projects into realistic investments.  

Customers may combine:

  • IRA Home Energy Rebates.  
  • Focus incentives.  
  • Local utility or co-op rebates.  

In one recent duplex renovation:

  • A $24,800 insulation project had about $20,000 covered.  
  • A $17,000 heat pump system had approximately $16,000 covered.  

“We split it up across programs to maximize what they could get,” Dave said.

Without that approach, the project likely would not have moved forward—or would have been scaled back significantly.

Incentive amounts vary based on eligibility, building type, and project scope.

What This Means for Customers—and Contractors

When projects move forward, the impact is immediate.

Customers experience:

  • More consistent indoor temperatures.  
  • Fewer drafts.  
  • Better overall comfort.  
  • More predictable energy costs and energy bills over time.

“That’s the part that feels good,” Dave said. “You get all that work done, and the customer is happy with the results.”  

But the impact extends beyond individual homes. For contractors, these incentives:

  • Reduce customer hesitation.
  • Make larger, more complete projects possible.
  • Simplify the sales conversation when costs are partially covered.

Advice From the Field

After working with thousands of homes, Dave’s advice is simple:

Start with guidance.  

Understanding the process—and the real costs—is what allows projects to move forward.

"Having someone help navigate it makes the biggest difference,” he said.

Start with a Clear Plan

Energy upgrades do not have to be overwhelming or financially out of reach.

Focus connects you with IRA Registered Contractors who guide you through each step, coordinate your project, and help you access available incentives.

See what your home qualifies for—and get a clear path forward. 

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