How One Sheboygan Homeowner Made Heat Pump Upgrades Affordable with $8,950 in Support
After living in their late-1800s Sheboygan, WI home for five years, Cheryl Sohn and her husband Andrew wanted a more comfortable and modern heating solution.
Their home relied on an aging boiler with radiators. While it still worked, the system used fossil fuel and offered no air conditioning, making Wisconsin summers increasingly uncomfortable.
They also wanted a solution that would:
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Work with the structure of their historic home
- Add cooling during hot summer months
With support from IRA Home Energy Rebates and FOCUS ON ENERGY® (Focus), they were able to install a multi-zone heat pump system, while receiving $8,950 in incentives—helping make the project financially manageable.
For many homeowners, incentives like these can make the difference between delaying upgrades and moving forward with improvements.
A Historic Home with Modern Challenges
Like many historic homes in Sheboygan and across Wisconsin, Cheryl and Andrew were drawn to their home’s craftsmanship and character.
Built in the late 1800s, the house features classic architectural details that make historic homes so appealing.
“We really enjoy old houses,” Cheryl said. “We like the detail and workmanship you find in older homes.”
However, homes built long before modern HVAC systems often lack ductwork, which makes traditional central air difficult to install.
The couple needed a solution that would work with the home’s existing structure.
A Heat Pump Solution That Works Without Ductwork
Working with IRA Registered Contractor Aaron Anger from Advanced Comfort Systems, Cheryl and Andrew installed a large, multi-zone mini-split heat pump system designed for homes without ductwork.
The system includes:
- Multiple wall-mounted room units (often called mini split head units) that control temperature in specific areas.
- Two outdoor heat pumps serving different areas of the home.
- Electrical upgrades to support the new system.
This approach allowed the homeowners to:
- Preserve the structure of their historic home.
- Heat and cool individual rooms independently.
- Add air conditioning for the first time.
Incentives Made the Project Possible
Like many homeowners, Cheryl initially worried about the cost—and whether the project would be possible at all.
“Absolutely, the cost was a concern,” she said.
After researching incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act, Cheryl learned that her household qualified for IRA Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) through Focus.
Incentives played a critical role in reducing the upfront cost and making the upgrade achievable.
Her project received:
- $8,000 rebate for the heat pump system
- $950 rebate for electrical wiring upgrades
“I thought we were going to get a $4,000 rebate,” Cheryl said. “When we found out it was more than $8,000, that was a huge bonus.” The additional support helped turn a project that once felt uncertain into something they could confidently move forward with.
Incentive amounts vary based on eligibility, home characteristics, and project scope.
Immediate Comfort Improvements
Since installing the heat pump system, Cheryl has already noticed a difference in comfort, particularly when it comes to indoor humidity.
“When we had the boiler running, the air would get extremely dry,” Cheryl said. “With the heat pump heat, it does not dry us out like that. We are much more comfortable.”
The system allows the couple to control temperatures in individual rooms, helping them focus heating and cooling where they spend the most time.
And when summer heat arrives, their home will finally have something it never had before: whole-house cooling.
“It is nice knowing that when the really hot days come, we will have that comfort,” Cheryl said.
Preparing Their Home for the Future
For Cheryl, the upgrade was about making their historic home more comfortable and ready for the future.
“I feel like we are set up now for a long time to come,” she said. The upgrade also provides more predictable comfort and energy use, helping reduce uncertainty around future energy costs.
She encourages other homeowners, especially those with older homes, to explore available incentives.
Even large upgrades may be more achievable than expected.
Check Your Eligibility
Using a heat pump as your heating and cooling systems can improve comfort, reduce energy use, and make your home more prepared for the future.
Focus connects Wisconsin homeowners with IRA Registered Contractors and incentives that make upgrades easier to complete—with guidance and financial support that help reduce upfront costs.
Check what your home qualifies for and start your home energy plan today.
