FAQs

Q: I'm having a new home built. What should my builder do to make it more efficient?
A: A consultant that partners with the Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR® Home Program can work with your builder to help him or her build you a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home. These consultants review all the ways to minimize energy costs in your new home.

Q: What is a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home?
A: Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes are homes that have been designed, built, and tested to ensure:

• Energy Efficiency - by ensuring correct framing, insulation installation, and air-sealing processes.
  
• Combustion Safety - by requiring combustion equipment that vents gases outdoors.
  
• Durability - by controlling the level of moisture, which can damage a home's structure.
  
• Comfort - by reducing drafts and controlling airflow.

A certified home meets construction standards established by WARM Training Center, one of the two lead partners of the Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes program.

Q: What makes a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home different from other homes?
A: Buyers of these homes are assured that their builders paid close attention to details that improve the overall performance of the home. In addition, a consultant that partners with the Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes Program evaluates every home in the program during the process. At the final visit, the finished home must pass stringent air-tightness and ventilation tests before it is certified.

Q: Does it cost more to build a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home?
A: In most cases, building a home to the program standards does not increase the cost of construction. We are fortunate to have a great building community in Michigan, and most builders are able to meet the standards by paying more attention to the details in the home's construction. There is a consultant fee for each home, but you'll actually save money year after year through reduced energy costs with a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home.

Q: Will I save money on energy bills by building a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home?
A: Yes, Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes are, on average, 25% more energy efficient than homes built to Michigan's Residential Code.

Q: What should I do if I want to build a Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Home?
A: You can:

• Refer to the list of builders that partner with the Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes Program. Follow the Builders link on the left.
• If you have already selected a builder who is not on the list, you can join the program by committing your home to be built to these standards.
  
• Contact us for more information.

Q: Who pays the consultant?
A: The full cost of the consultant's fee can typically range from $500-$1,000. Some of the variables that affect the price include the size of the home, the complexity of the home, and how far the consultant needs to travel.