April 1, 2009 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss today announced that five Michigan builders have been awarded federal grants from the Energy Star Home Grant Program to construct energy-efficient houses. "As the demand for energy efficiency in home building goes up, so too, does the demand for the technologies and products that are critical to Michigan's new energy economy and the jobs that come along with it," said Granholm.
Builders compete for the U.S. Department of Energy funded grants based on energy-efficiency, marketing plans and innovations. Each house required an Energy Star rating based on a National Home Energy Rating System to be eligible for the grants. Home energy ratings help buyers identify energy efficient homes as well as understand energy costs and how to lower them. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will also provide millions for the Energy Star Program and for matching grants for state rebates to Michigan consumers for buying energy efficient Energy Star products to replace old appliances.
The grants were presented at Urban Options Energy & Environmental Demonstration House in East Lansing to each of the five selected builders. The recipients are:
- Gontina Building & Design, Clawson - Project Location: Bloomfield Hills. Grant: $5,000
- Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity/Charles Rycenga, Grand Haven - Project Location: Grand Haven. Grant: $5,000
- Heartland Builders, Rockford - Project Location: Hudsonville. Grant: $5,000
- Phil Johnson Construction, Twin Lake -- Project Location: Twin Lake. Grant: $5,000
- MJC Builders of Troy, Macomb -- Project Location: Clinton Township. Grant: $5,000
Some of the innovative energy-saving features of the five houses include: solar powered attic fan, 95+ efficient furnace, geothermal heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilator system, dual flush toilets, soy foam insulation, radiant floor heating, and construction recycling systems.
"Each year we present these grants to the home building industry as an incentive to produce quality homes that will substantially reduce energy use," said Pruss. "With efficiency in construction and products, homeowners can save thousands of dollars in energy costs while significantly increasing the comfort and performance of their home, not to mention a higher real estate market value."
The homes will be marketed through websites, presentations to building trade professionals and technical schools, special displays at the sites, tours for students and construction teachers, on-site building workshops, open houses and Parade of Home showcases. For more information, visit the Energy Office website at: http://www.michigan.gov/energyoffice.
Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
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