A Contractor Focused on Home Performance
Aaron Riendeau has spent nearly two decades helping Wisconsin homeowners solve common comfort and energy programs.
In 2007, he and his wife started St. Croix Energy Solutions as a small business focused on home energy assessments, identifying where homes were losing energy.
But Riendeau quickly realized homeowners needed more than recommendations.
“We started mainly doing energy assessments,” he explains. “Then we moved into becoming a home performance contractor so we could complete the improvements we were recommending.”
Today, his team diagnoses and fixes the underlying issues that make homes uncomfortable, such as air leaks, poor insulation, and inefficient heating systems.
Through his partnership with Focus, Riendeau helps homeowners move from identifying problems to fixing them.
The Challenge Many Homeowners Face
Many homes in Wisconsin were built decades ago and were never designed for modern comfort or efficiency.
Common issues include:
- Poorly insulated attics.
- Drafty walls and floors.
- Unsealed air leaks.
- Inefficient heating systems.
These problems can lead to:
- Uneven temperatures throughout the home.
- Higher energy bills.
- Drafty or uncomfortable living spaces during winter.
Even when homeowners recognize these issues, the cost of upgrades often prevents them from moving forward. Many homeowners delay improvements for years—not because they do not want them, but because the upfront cost feels too high to take on at once.
Riendeau says the IRA Home Energy Rebates are helping change that.
“I would guess probably about 90 percent of our customers in this program are lower-income households,” he says. “Without incentives, most of these projects would not happen.
A Program That Expands Access
Riendeau began participating in the IRA Home Energy Rebates after following the program’s development closely.
Because he had worked with Focus programs for years, joining the new rebate program felt like a natural fit.
The incentives allow homeowners to move forward with upgrades that would otherwise feel financially out of reach.
“The incentives are great for customers,” Riendeau says. “They also allow us to work with homes we would not normally be able to reach.”
While the program requires detailed documentation and energy modeling, Riendeau says the systems supporting contractors continue to improve, making participation easier over time.
Upgrades that Deliver Real Results
Most projects focus on core improvements that reduce energy loss and improve comfort.
Common upgrades include:
- Air sealing to stop drafts.
- Attic insulation.
- Wall, basement, or rim joist insulation.
- Heat pump installation.
- Continuous ventilation fans for better indoor air quality.
“Attic work is by far the most common,” Riendeau says.
Together, these upgrades help stabilize indoor temperatures, reduce drafts, and create more comfortable homes year-round.
Making Major Upgrades Affordable
For many households, the difference is not just savings—it is whether the project is possible at all. One of the most powerful features of the program is the ability to combine multiple incentives.
Riendeau often helps homeowners stack:
- IRA Home Energy Rebates
- Focus incentives
- Local utility rebates
Typical projects may include:
- Around $13,000 in efficiency incentives.
- About $9,600 for electrical upgrades.
- Up to approximately $3,000 in additional utility incentives (where available).
Incentive amounts vary based on home characteristics, eligibility, and project scope. In many cases, this level of support significantly reduces upfront costs, helping make comprehensive upgrades financially manageable.
For families who previously could not afford major upgrades, these incentives make the projects possible. Instead of postponing upgrades, homeowners can move forward with improvements that stabilize comfort and reduce long-term energy costs.
Results Homeowners Can Feel
After upgrades are completed, homeowners often notice immediate improvements.
Insulation and air sealing reduce drafts and stabilize indoor temperatures. Efficient heating and ventilation systems improve comfort and indoor air quality. Lower energy waste can also help reduce monthly energy costs, giving homeowners more predictable bills over time.
Although the planning process can take several months, the installation often takes only a few days.
For Riendeau, the greatest impact of the program is reaching households that need these improvements most.
“The biggest benefit is reaching customers we would not otherwise be able to help,” he says.
See What Your Home Qualifies For
Energy upgrades can make your home more comfortable and help protect you from rising energy costs—often with significant financial support to get started.
Focus connects Wisconsin homeowners with IRA Registered Contractors and incentives that make home improvements easier to complete.
See what your home qualifies for and start your home energy plan today.
