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Dubuque Success Stories

Ever wondered if cutting back on energy use and using high-efficiency products is worth the effort?

These Dubuque residents have found that easy, inexpensive changes like switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and installing a clock programmable thermostat can make a significant difference in home energy costs.

Kelly and Mark Cooper:

“Purchasing and installing compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) is one of the easiest ways we could help conserve energy, plus we received a $2 per bulb rebate. We have realized that it is not only helping the environment, but is saving us money as well. Many people say that the light is not as intense as a regular incandescent bulb, but once the CFL is warmed up we can't even notice the difference in light quality.”

Clock programmable thermostat

Chuck Goddard:

"I recently replaced an old refrigerator, with a newer energy efficient model. Alliant Energy's "Appliance Recycling" program worked great. I didn't have to move the old unit; they came by, verified it was in working order, gave me a $35 check and took it away. I'm saving energy with the new model, I didn't have to "hassle" with the old refrigerator, I got paid for it and I'm assured the "old" unit is being handled, recycled and disposed of properly."

Tim Hitzler:

"I reduced my heat bill by approximately $300 over a one year period. This is quite an improvement especially when one considers the price of natural gas increased and I am now heating the bottom unit, which in years past was kept at about 60 degrees.

Laid insulation on the attic floor
Replaced three entry doors
Moved the thermostat to the bottom unit since the home is heated with steam heat. Since hot steam rises this heats the upper two units while still heating the bottom unit. I also put by-pass valves on each radiator which allow the tenants some control over the temperature of their unit.
I also put weather stripping around doors and windows where it was needed.

In spring 2005, I replaced 10 windows (2/3 of all the windows in the house), which qualified for rebates through Alliant Energy. I am sure this will reduce my energy usage since the old windows were approximately 120 years old.

I plan to replace the traditional light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs which are 10 times more efficient. To encourage my tenants to use fluorescent bulbs I will keep a stock of them on hand and charge them the amount I paid. The initial cost of these are about $5-$7 (traditional bulbs are $1 usually) but they pay off in the long run and are more convenient because you don't have to change them as often.”

Carol Carber:

“In April 1996, my husband and I purchased our first home. It's an old home that was built in the very early 1900s. Our first winter in this home left us wondering if people had thicker skin back then.

We immediately put in a new clock programmable thermostat. That helped us control our heating bills somewhat. However, our bills were still incredibly high and the house was still incredibly cold.

We also took a look in the attic and found there was only four inches of insulation. With the help of a cousin, my husband and father blew in 12 more inches. This made a world of difference upstairs.”

Milton Koons:

“My story is simple. In August 1998, I decided to use Alliant Energy-IP&L’s energy rebates and purchased six fluorescent bulbs to replace the incandescent bulbs I was using. For six fluorescent bulbs I paid $55, but after receiving the rebate my total out-of-pocket expense was around $13.

The reasons for my purchase of these new bulbs were the lure of the rebate, long bulb life and low energy usage. After replacing six old bulbs in my home in high usage areas with the new bulbs, I was excited to see the immediate savings on my energy bills.

I watched my energy bill drop an average of $8 per month in November and December 1998. With the added fact that these bulbs will last better than five years, it becomes clear I have begun to save energy as well as money!”

Terry Reeg:

“Our house, built in the 1970s, had the original windows and the old redwood siding. We installed all new Lincoln windows and sided the whole house. We also installed a new insulated garage door to keep our house warm this winter, since it's an attached garage.

Another energy efficiency improvement we added was a White Rodgers thermostat. The original thermostat was analog and we couldn't program it to change the temperature in the house on its own. Now we can save by letting the new digital thermostat take over the temperature.

Being first-time homeowners and young parents, we are always looking for ways to improve our energy efficiencies!”

Learn more:

Brochures and fact sheets:

E-Community: Rewarding Dubuque for Energy Savings [PDF]