BetterBuildings Program for Home Owners Ends March 31
BetterBuildings Program for Home Owners Ends March 31
(City of Ferndale Press Release, Feb. 28, 2013)
With the snow and high winds showing no sign of stopping, many Michiganders are feeling chilly drafts creeping into their living rooms and watching their energy bills rise. But over 160 Ferndale residents are feeling less of a chill this winter because they made their homes more efficient with BetterBuildings for Michigan, a nonprofit program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
BetterBuildings for Michigan just announced that its home energy incentive program is nearing completion. Residents can sign up until March 31 or until funding runs out. The program aims to serve 4,000 homes across the region and has already reached almost 3,200.
Residents who sign up for BetterBuildings for Michigan will get a comprehensive energy audit at a discounted cost of $100. During the audit, a Certified Building Analyst will use high tech equipment to pinpoint where homes are losing energy and detect structural leaks, air infiltration and inadequate insulation. Residents will also get CFL lightbulbs, a low-flow shower head and programmable thermostat installed and will receive a personalized report designed to help them prioritize energy efficiency projects and understand what incentives are available to pay for any recommended improvements.
If residents choose to take on an energy saving project, they are eligible for up to $5,000 in incentives toward the cost of those projects.
“This is a great opportunity for people to reduce their monthly energy bills and help the environment at the same time,” said April Lynch of the City of Ferndale.
Within the City of Ferndale, 166 households have had an energy audit, and 36 of those have chosen to use the program’s incentives toward home improvements estimated to save them an average of $532 per year on their energy bills.
“We’ve made a significant impact in helping residents reduce energy consumption,” said Jacob Corvidae, who directs the program. “Now we are focusing on making sure as many as people as possible take advantage of this opportunity before the funding runs out.”
Residents may visit www.MiHomeEnergy.org or call 313.566.4801 for more information.
BetterBuildings for Michigan uses a community approach to deliver energy efficiency improvements for homes and businesses by providing access to incentives and affordable loans. The program is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and developed by the Michigan Energy Office; Michigan Saves; the City of Grand Rapids; the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit; and the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office.
BetterBuildings for Michigan is coordinated locally by the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office. Special financing is available to all Regional Energy Office member communities, which include: Detroit, Dearborn, Eastpointe, Farmington, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hazel Park, Highland Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Mount Clemens, River Rouge, Roseville, Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores, South Lyon, Southgate, Sterling Heights, Wayne, and all communities in Washtenaw County.
