Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions, joint with the Michigan Environmental Council, is putting on a program on Tuesday, February 27th at 6:00 pm at Gallery Coffee Company on Green Bank Energy Financing. Featured in this program will be discussion with representatives of Michigan Saves. Michigan Saves was America’s first “Green Bank,” dedicated to helping Michiganders make energy and efficiency improvements to their homes.

Michigan Saves is not itself a bank. They recruit banks and credit unions to join the program and offer financing for home energy and efficiency projects at below prevailing market rates.

We are enthusiastic supporters of Michigan Saves and a current customer – we financed our new heat pump through them! The hardest part was getting our contractor to update their listing in the Michigan Saves directory as a heat pump provider and to also update their contact info in the system. After that, we filled out the Michigan Saves application on-line, and clicked “submit.” We were approved in seconds – in the middle of the night! The lender we chose was very helpful in negotiating the amount and the duration so we got the payment plan exactly as we wanted it. And we are really liking the new equipment, too!

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), in force now through 2032, gives us a real incentive to electrify our homes. See Rewiring America on the web for IRA information. And Michigan Saves is here to help us manage the finances for our projects.

Please – we encourage Alger County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to talk directly to Michigan Saves staff. There’s no magic in it, but neither is there any mystery. They are on our side all the way!

Marge and John Forslin Marquette, Michigan