What does the future look like for your city?

Would you like to…

Ensure your residents get their IRA money?

Help them save on their utility bills, and improve local housing stock?

Inspire conversations about the amazing city services you offer?

Proactively address environmental health risks, like indoor air quality?

Connect residents to the relevant resources before they’re needed?

Here’s how it works:

  • HOME ENERGY 101

    Basic energy efficiency education.

    Connect residents to related resources and provide free energy saving "goodie box" for the residents to install.

    Connect residents to next steps based on income: County Weatherization Program or Home Energy 201.

    Optional: GPG can train local nonprofits to complete energy education sessions.

  • HOME ENERGY 201

    Basic electrification education (heat pumps, induction stoves, etc).

    More energy efficiency education with a blower door test to show residents if they have air leaks.

    Limited measure installs from the customer's Home Energy 101 goodie box.

  • ELECTRIFICATION COACHING

    One-on-one coaching for 2-5 meetings.

    Customized strategy, including all relevant efficiency and electrification topics.

    Exactly how to use IRA funds.

    Contractor referrals.

    Community meetups.

⚡️Residential Energy Efficiency Guidebook: A Municipal Roadmap for Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Michigan

The Residential Energy Efficiency Guidebook was developed to help municipal authorities and local governments in Michigan who are looking to initiate home energy efficiency programs within their communities. Drawing from insights and resources obtained from a successful program in Holland, Michigan, this guidebook provides a versatile blueprint for other communities interested in establishing similar initiatives by sharing:

  • Foundational Knowledge: fundamental information regarding home energy efficiency plans and potential benefits.

  • Experience and Insights: an overview of Holland's energy program, including detailed program planning and implementation processes, as well as insights from Holland's experience, allowing other municipalities to leverage lessons learned, anticipate challenges, and implement successful strategies in establishing and managing their own home energy initiatives.

  • Resources: information and materials to help other Michigan communities in successfully adapting Holland's energy program to work within their own jurisdictions, including program management tools, financial breakdowns, and materials for home energy kits and education sessions.

The guidebook was developed by Michele Appledorn, a master's student in Energy Systems Engineering, over the course of her capstone project. Several individuals played key roles in the advancement of this guidebook by offering insights, contributing resources, or providing feedback during the development process. These individuals include Dan Broersma (City of Holland), Isabel Stein (City of Holland), Andrew Reynolds (Holland Board of Public Works), Jacob Hardy (Traverse City Light & Power), William Gallmeyer (Green Projects Group), Sarah Lee (Graham Sustainability Institute), and Sarah Mills (Graham Sustainability Institute/Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning).

⚡️Our Partners

  • The Home Energy 101 program has been offering free home energy education to all City of Holland residents. This program provides valuable home efficiency training, up to $300 in energy-saving freebies, and a chance to invest in your home with comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades through Holland’s Home Energy 101 Program. And it's all totally free!