September 1, 2004 - Director David C. Hollister announced today the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth is now accepting applications from builders for grants of up to $8,000 to build energy-efficient houses.

            The DLEG Energy Office will be awarding five grants of up to $8,000 in the Energy Star Home Grant program as an incentive for Michigan builders to utilize the latest technology to reduce energy costs and pollution. Applications can be obtained at the Energy Office Web site at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under residential programs or by contacting  Patrick Hudson at (517) 241-6154orplhudso@michigan.gov . The deadline for the 2005 grants is December 15, 2004. Homes scheduled for construction in 2005 will be considered for grant awards.

            "The builders who receive the grants will promote these homes to showcase the advantages of an energy-efficient home to consumers," Hollister said. "The goal is to make other builders and future home-buyers more knowledgeable about energy-efficient products currently available. Even simple modifications to a home can reduce energy use by 10 to 50 percent – which can save homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars in utility bills."

             Builders compete for the grants based on energy efficiency, marketing plans and innovations.  Every house must obtain a Five Star rating 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.

            Last year's recipients were:

·         Healthy Building Group, Inc. – Okemos (Project Location: Flint)

·         Homeland Builders of Michigan – Novi (Project Location: Flint)

·         J.W. Building – Lake Orion (Project Location: Birmingham)

·         Pierson-Gibbs Homes, Inc. – Richmond (Project Location: Rockford)

·         White Pine Residential Energy Services, Inc. – Traverse City (Project Location: Traverse City)           

Some of the innovative energy-saving features of the five houses include: geothermal heating, cooling & domestic hot water, Aero SEAL sealed ductwork, energy efficient lighting, Two-kilowatt building integrated photovoltiac solar roof system, soybean-based insulation, passive solar design, Corwin rafter vent systems, and insulated concrete forms.

             "Energy Star homes will save, on average, $600 per year,” Hollister said. “Rising energy costs make Energy Star homes a good buy that is good for our economy and environment.”

            Please visit the DLEG Energy Office Web site to find tips about saving energy and dollars and a list of Energy Star home builders, case studies, and recommendations for new home construction at: http://www.michigan.gov/energyoffice.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.