GHI projects nominated for Governor‘s Energy Excellence Award

GreenHome Institute is proud to announce we are a part of several projects that have been nominated for the 2016 Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards as detailed below. Each of these projects are examples of ways you can incorporate sustainability into renovations, remodels, new constructions or even multifamily developments.  GHI was selected as best communications program, which involved an energy based biggest loser like challenge that took place in Holland, Michigan. It included over 100 residents that competed to reduce energy and water from their previous years use. Ultimately, the BIGGEST loser family reduced their usage by 40% and won $500 in the process. Across the board, 10% energy was saved on average, and homeowners were educated on how to improve their homes along the way.  Another aspect of the challenge was the homes with the most improved U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Home Energy Score. This is a 1 – 10 rating score similar to an mpg label that helps buyers & renters understand predictable utility costs, and also helps homeowners make informed decisions on planned improvements, while providing access to related rebates and funding. Sandra Keirnan (and family) was our 2nd place biggest loser, improving her Home Energy Score from a 4 to an 8. Sandra diligently worked to ensure her home remodel was completed properly, and is now a finalist for the Governor’s award for most improved home.

None of this would have been possible if not for the City of Holland’s leadership on energy. The City’s Holland Energy Fund was named a finalist for innovator of the year for breaking down the financial barriers to improving DOE Home Energy Scores. If you have clients in Holland looking to start projects, please make them aware of these unique On Bill financing and rebate opportunities that help make energy and health improvements affordable for everyone. Even if you do not do work in Holland, this model can be replicated and used as an example to take to your local city or community to make a change.

Learn more about the Holland Energy Prize: Biggest Loser Challenge here
https://greenhomeinstitute.org/holland-energy-prize-biggest-loser-challenge-2016-final-report/

Other Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards finalists that GHI helped certify

Marti Burbeck – Burh Becc at Beacon Springs is a stunning new construction home in Ann Arbor that is LEED Platinum pending, Zero Energy capable and submitting to the Living Building Challenge. GHI member Architectural Resource, who completed the design on the home, demonstrates that we can build homes that have a positive impact on the environment, human health and the economy. Learn more at http://www.beaconsprings.org/

Gateway Village, Sturgis is a project where we administered the Enterprise Green Communities Certification (EGC). EGC requires 3rd party verification to ensure low-income housing projects are built to save energy & water. This helps tenants requiring low utility bills the most, and also creates healthier living spaces beyond what the MI code requires. EGC is the alternative to LEED for affordable housing, and is available across the US. Learn more at http://www.michiganbattleofthebuildings.org/gateway-village-of-sturgis-biggest-loser/

Tom Tishler, project manager of Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, built a certified silver project under the GreenStar Homes Certification program, a project which is a finalist for most improved home. This project addressed the 5 pillars of green building – health, energy, water, materials, and place – to help give a family a hand up, not a handout.  Learn more at https://greenhomeinstitute.org/glendale-zero-energy-ready-greenstar-home/

Whether you are planning a renovation, new construction, addition or multifamily development, GHI is a statewide resource that can help you build, BETTER.

About GreenHome Institute
A 501 c3 non-profit located in Grand Rapids with a mission to empower people to make healthier and more sustainable choices in the construction and renovation of the places we live. GHI oversees education, training and credentialing of professionals all over the Midwest and provide international webinars on green building topics. They have certified over 8,000 homes to green standards and educated over 20,000 on building better