As restructuring of the Wisconsin utility industry goes forward, many organizations are rethinking how energy efficiency should be promoted. To design new programs, these organizations need information about how building and remodeling contractors view energy-related products and services. This study establishes a baseline of energy efficiency attitudes and practices among Wisconsin's building and remodeling contractors. Most interviewed contractors do not offer comprehensive energy services, preferring to focus their business on building or remodeling. Most support energy efficiency, as long as they feel it benefits the customer.
Contractors support utility rebates and utility promotion of energy efficiency.
As restructuring of the Wisconsin utility industry goes forward, many organizations are rethinking how energy efficiency should be promoted. To design new programs, these organizations need information about how insulation contractors view energy-related products and services. To supply this information, this study established a baseline of energy efficiency attitudes and practices among Wisconsin's insulation contractors. Beyond the minor repair and replacement services offered by retrofit contractors, most interviewed contractors do not offer comprehensive energy services, preferring to focus their business on insulation. The exception was contractors in the Milwaukee city-region, who offer weatherization services that are close to comprehensive.