Brett Little, Education Manager at the GreenHome Institute, took his 2002 1-story walkout basement home in West Michigan to work towards achieving GreenStar Homes Certification. The project received Pearl Platinum, is all-electric, and received a DOE Home Energy Score 10 out of 10.

Most importantly, Brett wanted to showcase how he used a traditional mortgage refinance to pay for sure this, paving the way for millions to be able to do the same through construction financing, mortgage refinancing, and/or home equity lines of credit.

Brett increased his monthly mortgage by $40 a month, but will reduce utilities on average $50 a month to offset the cost and increase home value by 3%.

Added Home Features include

• Heatpump Water Heater  – Rheem Prestige added in 2018
• Ducted Air Source Heatpump for heating and cooling – Mitsubishi 2.5 ton
• Sealed exposed ducts with mastic
• Panasonic Intellibalance Cold Climate Energy Recovery Ventilator ERV – Ducted into exiting Ductwork.
• 9.72 kW of Solar Power
  • 3.96 kW of South-Facing Solar Panasonic 330 Watt Panels on the roof added in 2021
  • 5.76 kW of West and East facing solar Panasonic 360 Watt Panels added in 2025
• Whole Home 5kW Battery
• Level 2 Car Charger with recycled electric line
• Active Radon System
• 2 Energy Star Panasonic Whisper Green Bath fans up to 110 CFM ducted outside
• Whole-home ducted Aprilaire Humidifier
• Standalone whole home Aprilaire Dehumidier
• Ducted quiet rangehood with five settings
• Cosmos Smart Ventilation System (retired but works)
• Multiple air quality sensors that detect VOCs, CO2, and PM2.5 include Awair and Sun Radon
• Condensing all-electric Dryer
• Quiet Energy Star Dishwasher
• Energy Star Clothes Washer
• WaterSense-certified low devices
  • .5 GPM Niagara Aerators
  • 1.8 GPM Sink Faucet
  • 1.25 GPM Niagara Earth Massagers showerhead
  • .8 GPF Niagara Stealth Toilet
  • Dual Flush .9/.5 GPF Niagara Nano Toilet
• Water leak detector and smart meter
• On-demand water softener non-electrical
• UV Water filter
• 5 Micron water pre-filter
• Undersink on-demand reverse osmosis system, nonelectrical
• Sealed off old air intakes and chimney
• MERV 13 ERV Filter and MERV 16 Furnace Filter
• Motion sensors throughout the home with majority LED lighting
• Turn off the switch for the outdoor streetlight
• Water heater pipe wrap
• New fire detectors with CO detectors added throughout
• Motion sensor nightlights added
• Planted some drought-tolerant adaptive plants
• Added 5 hooglekulture raised beds
• Added 5 fruit trees
• Henhouse and 2 hens
• Floodfactor Report 1 /10 no risk
• Well-Draining Sandy Soils
• New wind-resistant roof shingles added in 2025 with ice and water shield
• Two new Energy Star fiberglass doors with a rebuilt and sealed frame were added in 2025

Financing and Funding 

1. Home Construction Mortgage Refinance in 2020
2. Michigan Saves Special Solar Loan 
3. Homes 25C and 25D Tax Deductions
4. Minor utility rebates

More details, stories, and videos are being added, along with updates on operational energy, water, and quality. Be sure to check back for the latest information.

Take a 2-hour CEU Virtual Tour of Brett’s Home Here.