Ann Arbor program offers free home energy assessments and incentives for heat-pump upgrades

Tony Remeski, an Ann Arbor resident and member of the Home Energy Advisors, opened a home demonstration by saying the program helps residents “lower my energy bills, make my home more comfortable, and help Ann Arbor go climate neutral.”

A Home Energy Advisor led the demonstration and said the team’s primary service is an on-site home energy assessment, typically a 2–3 hour walkthrough to gather building dimensions, inspect mechanicals and run safety tests such as a combustible-gas detector and combustion analyzer. “We usually start with a quick tour. Basically, we spend the next 2 to 3 hours collecting data,” the presenter said.

The presenter described the three primary air-leak pathways — basement rim joists, uninsulated wall cavities and the attic — and demonstrated air-sealing techniques that, paired with insulation, can improve comfort and reduce wasted heating and cooling. “So, you want to get that sealed off … At that point, you’ll throw some insulation over there, and this gives the house the opportunity to maximize comfort,” the presenter said.

During the visit the presenter pointed to an aging 1998 furnace in the house and outlined plans to replace it with a heat pump, citing comfort, environmental benefits and financial help. “We get more than $4,000 from the city of Ann Arbor, as well as money from DTE,” the presenter said. The presenter also described heat pumps as typically more efficient than combustion heating because they move heat rather than produce it, a point he summarized as heat pumps being “more than 100% efficient.” The article reports those efficiency and incentive statements as attributions to the presenter rather than as independently verified facts.

Technically, the team demonstrated a blower-door test and the use of a thermal imaging camera and manometer to find air leaks and quantify how “leaky” or “snug” a house is. The presenter said homeowners receive two written reports at the end of an audit, including a ‘‘path to zero’’ plan that sequences efficiency work, electrification and possible rooftop solar.

The presenter emphasized that the program is ongoing and available to city residents at no direct charge. “They’re just giving you advice that’s paid for by all of our tax dollars and by the climate millage,” the presenter said. Tony Remeski added that ongoing access to the team makes it easier to plan replacements rather than doing last-minute, potentially oversized furnace swaps.

The demonstration closed with an invitation to Ann Arbor residents to book a free on-site or virtual assessment via the program website (a20hea.org) or by scanning the shown QR code. The presenter and homeowner encouraged residents to use the written report and the adviser follow-up to sequence improvements and access rebates or rebates and incentives.

The Home Energy Advisors demonstration combined safety checks, diagnostic testing and a written roadmap intended to help homeowners pursue targeted, grant- or rebate-supported upgrades such as attic air sealing, insulation and heat-pump installations.