Posted on January 7, 2026

How Milwaukee’s Me2 Program Helps Homeowners Replace Windows and Cut Energy Bills

If your home feels drafty in winter or stuffy in summer, you’re not the only one. Older windows, thin insulation, and tired heating equipment are all common energy-wasters in Milwaukee homes.

The Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program (Me2) gives homeowners a clear path to energy-saving upgrades with low-interest financing through Summit Credit Union and support from the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office. For anyone planning to replace their old windows, Me2 can make your “someday” project into a realistic upgrade that immediately improves comfort and lowers energy bills.

What is the Me2 Program?

The Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program supports a wide range of energy-saving projects, including:

  • Attic and wall insulation
  • Air sealing to reduce leaks and drafts
  • High-efficiency furnaces and boilers
  • Efficient central air conditioners
  • Efficient water heaters
  • Energy-saving replacement windows

The program works in partnership with Summit Credit Union to offer low-interest financing, allowing these home improvement projects to be more accessible to Milwaukee homeowners. 

Take Note: Program Details Can Change Over Time

When Me2 launched, federal funding supported features such as free or deeply discounted energy assessments and extra cash incentives. However, lost funding under the Trump administration and high demand for the program mean that free energy assessments and bonus incentives are not currently available.

The main takeaway is that details such as incentives and exact loan terms can change over time, yet the core promise behind Me2 remains steady: helping Milwaukee homeowners complete meaningful energy-saving home improvements.

How Energy-Saving Windows Support Me2 Goals

Many Milwaukee neighborhoods include homes built decades ago. Common window issues in these houses include:

  • Single-pane glass that lets heat pour out
  • Frames that have shifted or rotted over time
  • Gaps around sashes and trim that invite drafts

In a climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers, those problems drive up heating and cooling bills and leave rooms uncomfortable. For many homes, replacing leaky windows creates a noticeable improvement in comfort, especially when paired with attic insulation and air sealing.

Energy-saving windows help Milwaukee homes meet Me2 goals in several ways:

  • Low-E glass helps keep heat inside in winter while reducing unwanted solar heat gain in summer.
  • Double and triple-glazed glass is constructed with insulating layers of air or gas between window panes, which helps limit heat transfer.
  • Quality installation reduces air leaks around frames and sashes.

The Everyday Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows for Homeowners

More Comfortable Rooms Year-Round

Energy-saving windows cut drafts and cold spots near glass. Milwaukee homeowners often notice:

  • Less temperature swing from one room to another
  • Spaces near windows that feel usable in winter instead of chilly
  • Quieter interiors when traffic, sirens, or strong winds pass by

Lower Heating and Cooling Bills

Participants who follow recommended upgrades see average annual energy-use reductions of around 30%. Results vary by home and project, but new windows combined with insulation and air sealing create a strong foundation for lower energy bills over time.

Better Performance in Older Milwaukee Homes

From bungalows to duplexes and triplexes, many homes across Milwaukee still carry their original windows. When those units get replaced with modern, energy-focused products, comfort and efficiency can change dramatically.

Me2 Financing Eligibility Requirements

Me2 partners with Summit Credit Union to provide special energy efficiency loans for homeowners within Milwaukee city limits. The “ME2 Loan” from Summit includes the following features:

  • Loan amounts up to $20,000 for energy efficiency projects.
  • Fixed-interest rates designed for energy projects, with terms that can extend up to 15 years.
  • Unsecured loans that do not use your home as collateral, which reduces risk for the homeowner.

Current Eligibility Rules for Homeowners

Here is a list of the current core requirements for residential projects:

  • The property is an owner-occupied home within the City of Milwaukee.
  • The home is a single-family house or a small multi-family building with up to three units.
  • The homeowner uses a Me2 participating contractor for the work.
  • The project scope focuses on qualified energy-saving measures such as insulation, heating equipment, and windows.
  • The homeowner meets Summit Credit Union’s credit and income guidelines for the loan.

Me2 encourages homeowners to reach out or submit an interest form online, then follow up with Summit Credit Union for loan pre-approval.

Rules for Getting New Windows Financed with Me2

Recent city guidance for window financing under Me2 lays out a few important rules:

  • Windows must meet efficiency standards such as ENERGY STAR® rating for the region.
  • The attic needs to be properly insulated and air sealed as part of the project. Me2 treats attic work as a high-impact upgrade, so it easily goes hand-in-hand with window financing.
  • A participating Me2 contractor has to complete the upgrades and provide documentation.

These rules help Me2 deliver greater energy savings and make sure each financed project tackles the most significant sources of waste in the home.

The Me2 Approval & Financing Process

  1. The homeowner connects with a Me2 participating contractor to obtain a quote for needed upgrades.
  2. The contractor prepares a project scope and cost estimate.
  3. The homeowner applies for a Me2 energy efficiency loan through Summit Credit Union (online, by phone, or in person).
  4. Summit reviews the application and, if approved, finalizes loan terms.
  5. The contractor completes the work once the loan is ready.
  6. After completion, the contractor and homeowner submit the required Me2 completion and project detail forms so Summit can pay the contractor.
  7. The homeowner makes monthly payments to Summit Credit Union under the agreed loan terms.

How Long Does Approval Usually Take?

Loan timing depends on the completeness of the application, Summit Credit Union’s review process, and the specifics of your project. Some homeowners move from application to approval within a few weeks, while other projects take longer.

How to Know if You Actually Need New Windows

Signs that your windows are costing you in energy bills:

  • Rooms that feel chilly near exterior walls
  • Noticeable drafts when the wind picks up
  • Condensation or ice along the interior glass in winter
  • Traffic or street noise that sounds loud even with windows closed
  • Frames that feel soft, cracked, or out of square

Many Milwaukee homes built before modern energy codes show several of these symptoms. If that includes your home, the next step is to get a window replacement quote from a qualifying contractor. 

Request a Window Quote From a Me2 Participating Contractor 

Zen Windows Milwaukee keeps the quoting process simple:

  • You share details about your home and the windows you want replaced.
  • We send a clear written quote.
  • No long in-home sales presentations.
  • No fake “today-only” discount routines.

Our focus stays on giving you what you need with transparent pricing and a calm, respectful experience.

Why Homeowners Choose Zen Windows Milwaukee for Energy-Saving Window Upgrades

Clear Quotes Without In-Home Pressure: When you request an online quote from Zen Windows Milwaukee, we only need a few photos and basic measurements of the windows you want to replace. From there, we send you some options with a detailed scope that includes product features, energy performance information, and total project cost. 

Window Features That Matter for Energy Savings: Zen Windows focuses on features that align with Me2 goals and Milwaukee’s climate, such as Low-E glass, double- and triple-glazed glass, quality construction from trustworthy manufacturers, and code-compliant installation that limits drafts.

Support Through the Me2 Journey: Our team helps you design a window project that fits program guidelines and provides the documentation you need to qualify for rebates and tax credits.

Reach out to us today, online or by phone, for a free quote. We’ll walk you through the available options, explain how Me2 fits into the picture, and help you plan a window project that makes your Milwaukee home more comfortable and efficient for years to come.