7,238,214
Therms
67,280
Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
Explore what we accomplished together in 2022
By the numbers
Have you ever wondered how much energy and money Michigan Saves’ programs are actually saving? The 2022 numbers are in, and the results are impressive!
TOTAL PROJECTS
January 2022 - December 2022
Residential Homes
7,771
Projects
Commercial Buildings
101
Projects
292,652
Therms
110,101
Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
CUMULATIVE ENERGY SAVINGS
194,073,756
Kilowatt hours
7,530,865
Therms
177,381
Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
TOTAL INVESTMENT
111,236,693
Residential: 79% Commercial: 21%
TOTAL FINANCED
104,634,326
Residential: 81% Commercial: 19%
UTILITY BILL SAVINGS*
$8,755
Residential: 4% Commercial: 96%
AVERAGE SAVINGS PER PROJECT*
$381
Residential
$8,374
Commercial
*Indicates savings for gas and electric
Timeline & milestones
2022
On the road to $500M
It took Michigan Saves five years – from its 2009 inception to 2014 – to reach $100 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy financing. In 2022 alone, we financed $105 million in projects! What a huge accomplishment for not just our team, but for Michiganders across the state! In total, we have financed close to $460 million for Michigan homeowners and business owners for a total of 36,011 loans across the residential and commercial programs.
Another huge highlight of 2022 was the success of the Detroit Loan Fund (DLF). Launched with $2.5 million in funding from The Kresge Foundation, the DLF provides financing for Detroit homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits that have been locked out of traditional lending because of credit scores. This program fully supports our vision that an equitable transition to a carbon-free Michigan where everyone has access to the benefits of clean energy is possible. In the first 9 months alone (May 2022 – February 2023), 114 Detroit households have financed more than $1 million in home improvement projects that will make their homes more comfortable, efficient and affordable.
Milestones
- Launched the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund to fill a gap in lead abatement services for homeowners or property owners who do not qualify for free services through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Developed a new strategic direction, mission, vision, and values rooted in equity and social justice
- Received a $2.5 million dollar investment from the State of Michigan to leverage private investment in clean energy improvements for Michigan’s residents and businesses.
- President and CEO Mary Templeton was honored as a 2022 Crain’s Notable Leader in Sustainability
2021
Onward & Upward
Loan volumes picked up in 2021, as we reached more than $370 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy financing for Michiganders and business owners across the Great Lakes state. We also made a commitment to ensure everyone—no exceptions—has peace of mind when it comes to the safety of their homes by launching the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund.
Milestones
- Received a $1.5 million investment from the State of Michigan
- Successfully completed the revolving loan fund program with DTE Energy
- Selected by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to facilitate a lead loan loss reserve
- Secured $2.5 million in funding from The Kresge Foundation to provide nontraditional financing for Detroit homeowners and nonprofits
- Spearheaded electrification efforts with a residential infographic and training program for contractors
- Continued our efforts to become an antiracist organization by solidifying the purpose of our Change Team and developed ways of being and a vision for the future
2020
Clean energy resiliency through a global pandemic
We’ve surpassed $300 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy financing in Michigan’s homes and businesses since 2009. In 2020 alone, we supported more than $53 million inenergy improvements.
Milestones
- Launched a new project management portal and sophisticated residential loan application system and call center, improving program efficiency for customers, contractors, and program staff
- Facilitated the launch of an on-bill financing program for Traverse City Light & Power residential customers, the second such program in the state
- Celebrated ten years of financing with a Toast to Ten event
- Enhanced residential offerings by adding lenders, expanding access to more customers and a wider geographic range
- Grew contractor network by 88 for a new total of 839 contractors
2019
Powering a prosperous and clean energy future for all
Jumping from $172 million in clean energy financing in 2018, Michigan Saves zoomed past $200 million in 2019 to finance more than $229 million in renewable and energy-efficiency upgrades. That’s a 33 percent year-over-year increase that went to help more families and organizations take control of their energy consumption and, in some cases, production.
The nonprofit green bank also received national recognition as a leader in clean energy as Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell helped lead the effort to create a national climate bank that built upon Michigan’s successful green bank model.
Milestones
- Provided more than $169.8 million in residential financing
- Provided more than $59.2 million in commercial financing
- Launched revolving loan and rebate pilot program with DTE for customers with low to moderate incomes
- Piloted and launched the national green energy network—a system that helps clean energy financing entities reduce costs and create efficiencies in program automation and design
- Recognized as national leader in clean energy by congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan upon introduction of the national climate bank act of 2019
- Grew contractor network by 103 individuals—a total of 752 authorized contractors
- Introduced first-ever commercial beer and wings competition for contractors
2018
$172 million and counting
After hitting the $100 million mark in energy financing in 2017, we continued to see explosive growth in 2018. In fact, we grew the total amount financed by more than 72 percent to close out the year with more than $172 million. But the growth didn’t stop there.
Thanks to our efforts to attract and retain contractors, we grew our contractor network to a total of 649 authorized contractors—a 22 percent increase from 2017. As our contractor network grew, so did the number of top performers in our residential Beer and Wings competition, with 2018 marking the largest-ever winner’s circle of contractors who financed 60 or more loans during the calendar year. We also expanded our list of eligible measures to offer even more residential and commercial energy improvement options; expanded our commercial offerings to support larger projects and provide longer terms; made key operational investments to enhance the contractor section of our website; and developed a platform that will automate workflows and facilitate communication between the loan center, lenders, contractors, and Michigan Saves staff.
Milestones
- More than $36.9 million in residential loans
- More than $14 million in commercial loans
- Fourth annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards
- Gained two full-time team members
2017
$100 million and a bright future
A banner year, 2017 saw Michigan Saves soar past the $100 million mark in energy-efficiency and renewable energy improvements. Recognizing this extraordinary growth, Michigan Saves stakeholders agreed on a sweeping new five-year strategy that would put the organization at $1 billion in green energy financing by 2023.
Milestones
- $21.4 million in residential loans
- $10.8 million in commercial loans
- Third annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards
- Won inspiring efficiency impact award by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
2016
Stronger solar energy improvements
In 2016, Michigan Saves redoubled its efforts in the solar market. Although the organization financed its first solar project back in 2011, it wasn’t until 2016 that Michigan Saves brought on additional lenders with more favorable terms specifically for this market. As a result, in early 2017, Michigan Saves had financed a cumulative one megawatt in solar photovoltaic (PV), enough to power over 200 homes per year. Just 11 months after that, the organization had doubled its growth in the solar PV market.
New programs for greater access
Partnering with the City of Holland, Michigan Saves developed a creative financing program. This on-bill program allowed consumers to pay for energy-efficiency and renewable energy improvements through utility bill payments, thereby offering longer terms (up to 15 years), simplifying payments, and expanding credit to anyone who had consistent utility bill payment history.
Milestones
- $15.3 million in residential loans
- $8.6 million in commercial financing
- Second annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards
2015
The Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards
Seeking to celebrate outstanding achievements in energy excellence, Michigan Saves partnered with the Office of the Governor to organize the first ever Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards. This event, now in its fourth year, recognizes pioneers in the field of energy-efficiency around the state.
Michigan Saves finances more than $50 million in energy improvements
By mid-2015, Michigan Saves’ total loan portfolio surpassed the $50 million mark.
Milestones
- $13.4 million in residential loans
- $6.9 million in commercial loans
2014
Incentive programs
In 2014, Michigan Saves took steps to aggressively lower interest rates for residential improvements. The organization successfully secured its lowest standard rate ever at 4.25% APR. This helped spur Michigan Saves’ best year to date in terms of loan activity. Also in this period, through partnerships with utilities, Michigan Saves introduced interest rate buydowns, whereby some commercial and residential customers could get rates as low as 0% APR.
Business Energy Financing program growth
In 2014, Michigan Saves’ commercial financing program really began to take off, serving nearly twice as many customers than in the previous two years combined—a whopping 191 percent growth.
Milestones
- $9.8 million in residential loans
- $4.6 million in commercial financing
2013
New executive director
Although she had been helping lead Michigan Saves in her role as program manager for BetterBuildings for Michigan for quite some time, in 2013 Mary Templeton was formally brought on as executive director, bringing her deep knowledge and experience in residential and commercial energy-efficiency strategies. The organization went from having financed just under $20 million in energy-efficiency improvements prior to her appointment to over $100 million in less than five years under her leadership.
Multifamily unit expansion
A traditionally underserved market, multifamily dwellings still make up a large share of Michigan homes, particularly among the low- and mid-income residents of the state. To reach this market, Michigan Saves launched a program to serve this market and overcome barriers that historically made it difficult to secure financing for this sector.
Milestones
- $8.7 million in residential loans
- $1.6 million in commercial loans
2012
Our first commercial program
Initially a pilot program, Michigan Saves’ Business Energy Financing program formally got up and running in 2012 to meet a market demand for efficiency and renewable energy improvements to commercial buildings. This program surpassed its targets to grow to nearly $35 million in cumulative financing by the end of 2017
Milestones
- $12.9 million in residential loans
- $245,000 in commercial financing
2011
BetterBuildings for Michigan
Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and Michigan Agency for Energy, the BetterBuildings for Michigan program was established to create a sustainable energy-efficiency market through outreach, education, and investment tools for lenders. Michigan Saves managed the grant on behalf of the state by working with several partners throughout the state to implement the program. By the time the program wound down in 2013, BetterBuildings for Michigan had completed energy-efficiency improvements on 7,689 homes throughout the state. Including directly leveraged homeowner participation in other programs, like the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Wyandotte Municipal Services WIRES program, BetterBuildings served 11,571 homeowners in total.
Milestones
- First loan for a solar PV system in June 2011
- $5.0 million in residential loans
2010
Our first loan
In October 2010, the first project was financed through Michigan Saves’ Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) for just over $3,000. HELP financing offers favorable terms and helps families reduce energy costs through improvements to their homes. As of the end of 2017, HELP has financed more than 9,000 projects in Michigan residences, totaling more than $87 million, $317,000 of which was in residential loans.
Milestones
- $317,000 in residential loans
2009
The birth of Michigan Saves
Through a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan Saves began with the mission to stimulate and support investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in Michigan homes. This initial grant totaled $8 million, with $1 million earmarked to set up the organization and the remainder to establish a credit enhancement in the form of a loan loss reserve, which allows lenders to offer better rates and longer terms.
Board
Paul Schutt
President
Issue Media Group
Roselyn Tantraphol
Vice President
Moonsail North
David Wible
Treasurer
Comerica Bank
Karen Gould
Ex Officio
Michigan Public Service Commission
John Boladian
Director
DTE Energy
Amanda Godward
Director
Ecotelligent Homes
Michael Larson
Director
Michigan Energy Options
Bryan Lewis
Director
JR Lewis LLC
Jason Matley
Director
TRUE Community Credit Union
Emily McGraw
Director
Consumers Energy
Conan Smith
Director
Michigan Environmental Council
Selma Tucker
Director
Michigan Municipal League
Alina Verdiyan
Director
UrsaLeo
James White
Director
Cinnaire
Partners
Utility Partners
- Consumers Energy
- DTE
- Holland Board of Public Works
- Lansing Board of Water & Light
- SEMCO Energy Gas Company
- Traverse City Light & Power
Residential Lending
- Dort Financial Credit Union
- Genisys Credit Union
- Lake Michigan Credit Union
- LAFCU
- Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
- TRUE Community Credit Union
Commercial Lending
- Inclusive Prosperity Capital
- NEIF
- Team Financial Group
Additional Partners
- City of Ann Arbor
- City of Holland
- Holland Energy Fund
- Michigan Air Conditioning Contractors
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association
- Michigan Public Service Commission
- Southeast Michigan Air Conditioning Contractors Association
- Traverse City
- United States Department of Energy
- Walker-Miller Energy