Meadowlark Energy is pleased to announce that we are one of two contractors in SouthEast Michigan selected to participate in the launch of a new energy efficient mortgage program designed to make financing for home improvements easier, cheaper, and more available.

The program, through Michigan Saves. www.michigansaves.com.

Through this program, qualifying borrowers will receive a free energy audit, estimates on work that you want to do on the property, and up $2,500 in cash back rebates at closing. The program allows the borrower to qualify for the original value of the property, plus the value of any improvements, and also gives credit for money saved through efficiency upgrades. This program can be used to re-finance an existing home, or to buy a new home.

Meadowlark Energy Year in Review!

2010 was a big year for Meadowlark Energy. We launched our performance service in Southeast Michigan in the summer of 2010 with the acquisition of Arbor Insulation for insulation services and Buildscan Thermography for energy audit services.

Our launch and early growth have followed both local and national trends that point towards strong growth and an optimistic future for energy efficiency and building performance improvement. Here are a couple of highlights:

Michigan Saves

The State of Michigan launched a new financing program for Home Owners called Michigan Saves that provides home owners across the state with a new front end financing option to improve the performance of their home. This innovative program allows home owners to access up to $12,500 in unsecured financing for qualified improvements at interest rates no more than 7%.

Better Buildings for Michigan

The State launched another innovative program called Better Buildings for Michigan which will fund energy audits and retrofits in 16 neighborhoods across the state. Meadowlark Energy was proud to be 1 of 3 contractors selected to participate in the program’s first neighborhood program in Ferndale, Michigan. Our team developed a focused audit and ‘base package’ of improvements that we could deliver with a 4 person team in a half day. We found that our teams were able to deliver as much as 10% improvement in the air infiltration rate for these homes in these half day projects.

Utility Rebate Programs

In addition to these new programs, we found that consumers were able to take advantage of generous rebate programs through Detroit Edison, and we were excited that Consumers Energy announced a broad range of new efficiency rebates for 2011.

Missed Opportunities

In 2010 we anticipated the passage of 2 major incentives that have the potential to drive significant growth in energy efficiency and building performance.

Home Star

We went to Washington DC with a group from the industry group Efficiency First! to lobby for passage of Home Star legislation, a piece of legislation that would provide over $8B in rebates for home performance. This bill passed the House in the summer, but did not come to the floor of the Senate.

PACE Financing

Second, we were impressed to see initiative in the City of Ann Arbor to enact a financing program called PACE which provides up to $30,000 in financing linked to a homes property tax. This program was stalled at the Federal level in the near term.

We look forward to being a leader in the Building Performance industry in 2011, working with home owners, building owners, and policy makers to continue to build on the progress that we have, and can make, as an industry.

I have some great news to share! Congress extend a Federal Energy Tax Credit through December, 2011. There are some changes to the original Tax Credit, it is now a 10% credit with a maximum of $500 and some products and appliances now require a higher energy efficiency rating to be eligible. The new $500 limit covers the lifetime of the Tax Credit dating back to when it took effect on January 1st, 2006. This means if you used a previous form of this Tax Credit for $500 or more since 2006 you are no longer eligible for this Tax Credit.

Products and equipment that are eligible for the 10% Tax Credit include:

Insulation – up to $500
Central Air Conditioner – up to $300
Heat Pumps (HVAC & hot water equipment) – up to $300
Qualified Hot Water Heaters – up to $300
High Performance Windows – up to $200
Qualified Furnaces or Hot Water Boiler – up to $150
Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan (Furnace Fan) – up to $50

Other good news is that the Renewable Energy Tax Credit funded by the stimulus bill remains in effect until 2016. This Tax Credit is fully 30% of any service, parts and labor, for residential installations of geothermal heating and cooling, solar hot water, solar photovoltaics and wind energy. The Tax Credit is uncapped, which makes these installations more attractive than ever. Geothermal heat pumps now have a payoff period of as little as 4 or 5 years, while solar can pay off and begin producing income in just 15 years. These investments yield 4% to 6% return on investment, and make sense for many homes.

For more information about the Federal Tax Credit extension and other available incentives and financing options call us today at 1-877-MLARK78 (652-7578) or email us at info@meadowlarkenergy.com.

Thanks for reading and happy retrofitting!

Okay, you’ve had enough and you’re ready to figure out and fix whatever it is that is making your home so uncomfortable and your energy bills so high. Great! Unfortunately, the up-front costs for home energy improvements can be hefty. While there are many great incentive programs for homeowners who want to enhance the comfort, health and energy efficiency of their homes, most of them only kick in after you’ve paid for them. So, is there any real HELP for homeowners with the front end costs?

Thankfully, there is. A new Home Energy Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) launched this fall designed to help eliminate the up front costs for home energy improvements to enhance a home’s performance. Michigan Saves gives homeowners access to a low interest home energy loan of up to $12,500. Applying for the loan is easy too, just contact a Michigan Saves Authorized Home Performance Contractor to get a whole home energy audit. Once you’ve agreed upon the needed improvements, they’ll initiate the application process on-line and you’ll get a decision in minutes. It’s that simple. The best part of the program is you’re still eligible for other incentives and rebate programs. For more information visit Michigansaves.org or check out our Incentives & Financing page.

Quick note, now is a good time to get started, some incentives and rebates are set to expire this December on the 31st.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on the latest incentives and financing options for home energy improvements.

After suffering through the final hot and humid months of summer fall is finally here. A colorful and temperate oasis of warm days and cool, crisp nights that hint at the colder winter to come.

Speaking of winter, what comes to mind when you think about the snowy season? Holidays, friends, family…or does it make you think of cold mornings rushing to pile on layers just to get warm? Cold nights wrapped up in a blanket on your sofa thinking about “that” room. You know, “that” room that is always hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Or, is your home more of a grab bag of comfort issues in the winter? Drafty rooms, cold floors, and dry static air that make your home less than comfortable. Why are you living like this winter after winter, year after year? What is it that is making your home so uncomfortable?

Most people assume that insulation is the only reason their home is comfort challenged. Possibly, but that is often not the only reason. Other factors that make your home uncomfortable are often a result of inadequate air-sealing, inefficient heating and cooling systems in need of maintenance or an upgrade.

These issues not only make you not so cozy, they also contribute to high energy bills and can negatively effect your families health by reducing the air quality in your home. The current average annual energy costs to operate a home is $2,300. The EPA states the air quality in most homes is two to five times more polluted than the worst air outside! The lack of air-sealing does not contribute to poor interior air quality. It’s houses that are too tight, and dirty duct systems that aren’t sealed correctly and air filtration systems that aren’t good.

What can you do? Simple, start by getting a home energy audit from a certified building performance expert. A comprehensive audit is the only way to truly know what is under performing in your home and why. From there you can determine what energy improvements need to made. A basic energy retrofit package can reduce your energy use by 30-40% resulting in savings up to $920 per year. Proper ventilation can greatly improve the air quality in your home.

Right now is a great time to get a home energy audit and any necessary energy improvements made since it’s not winter and there are many rebates and incentives, some set to expire on December 31st, that will you save you even more. Don’t spend another winter wrapped up in your home. Get comfortable this winter. Get a home energy audit today.

Be sure to check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more information on how to enhance the comfort, health and energy efficiency of your home.