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

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

Guidebook Cover

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).