Due to numerous changes in the Michigan Uniform Energy Code and pending ENERGY STAR Program changes, the DTE Energy Residential New Construction Program has been suspended effective January 31, 2011.
Customers that have submitted a complete application or have taken a reservation number for the 2011 program, will be eligible to receive their rebate incentive for the 2011 New Construction Program. However, reservation numbers will not be given out after January 31, 2011 and applications will not be accepted after January 31, 2011. If you have any questions regarding this program, call 866.796.0512.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I understand that Michigan's Economy and the building trades have started to pick up. Why would DTE Energy suspend the program now?
The Residential Energy Optimization New Construction Program derives energy savings by having new homes constructed above and beyond the current building codes in effect. The Michigan Energy Means Database (MEMD) is the official record of energy savings for various energy efficient measures in the State of Michigan. In the case of the New Construction Energy Star program, energy savings are derived through computer modeling of an Energy Star New House construction against a standard efficiency home built to the current Michigan Uniform Energy Code. A new Michigan Uniform Energy Code is proposed to be codified on March 9, 2011 which is projected to raise the building standards for New Homes constructed. The various code changes coming into effect provide unique challenges in administrating the New Construction Energy Optimization Program.
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What specific code changes are being proposed for New Construction in 2011?
The current new residential building standard for new house construction in Michigan is based upon the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) of 2003. States and municipalities across the nation review and usually adopt all or parts of the IECC code has their own construction codes to build new residences to. Michigan adopted the IECC code of 2003 in late 2008 and is better known to the trades as the current 2003 Michigan Uniform Building Energy Code. The IEEC code is typically reviewed and revised typically every 3 years. The State of Michigan is in the process of codifying the 2009 IECC. It is expected to become the new 2009 Michigan Uniform Energy Code that will be in effect for all new residential construction permits issued after March 9, 2011.
The current ENERGY STAR Program version in effect is 2.0 for New Construction. In 2nd quarter, 2011, a new ENERGY STAR version (Version #2.5) is proposed to be issued. Beginning in 2012, ENERGY STAR version #3.0 is proposed to be in effect. Codes and standards continue to "raise the bar" on what is considered best practices. With each change, there comes a new challenge and opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of newly constructed houses. With the additional requirements of meeting the new 2009 Michigan Uniform Energy Code and the additional requirements of ENERGY STAR #2.5 and #3.0, builders will also face numerous challenges.
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Will the program be started up at the later date?
DTE Energy encourages builders of new homes to consider energy efficiency in every step of the process: it is far easier and cheaper to build it "right" the first time, than to have to "fix it" later. The alternative is to suffer a lifetime of less comfort then possible and experience a lifetime of higher energy bills.
However, once the total effect of all the proposed building code and ENERGY STAR Program changes are known and then modeled for energy savings, DTE Energy will be in a better position to evaluate the program for reinstatement.
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