Congregations that have participated in Light the Way, our energy efficiency for houses of worship program, may already be saving energy and money with free upgrades like LED lights. You've also received a report from Consumers Energy that outlines your facility's recommended next steps. This is your roadmap! (If you need another copy of your Energy Assessment report, contact Jennifer at [email protected] or 248-463-8811.)
Because of state energy legislation, Michigan utilities are required to help their customers reduce their energy waste. That's why there are several ways to get discounts and rebates on energy saving projects. We are here to help you navigate these programs!
University Lutheran Church's Story
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University Lutheran Church in East Lansing reduced its electricity usage over 40%, thanks in large part to the efforts of Dale Romsos of the Facilities Team and Judy Kindel of the Earthkeeping Team. These efforts saved the church $6,000 in 2019 alone.
Rebates from Consumers Energy:
Learn more and see slides from the ULC team as they share about this journey, including installing solar. |
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church's story
 Rev. Dr. Willie F. Casey, pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Saginaw, noticed the lighting in the sanctuary was dim and dingy and suspected that it needed cleaning. As he looked into, it he saw that the fixtures themselves had turned yellow. That prompted him to conduct an extensive replacement of the church’s lighting. The church replaced over 40 4-foot T12 fluorescent lights with high-efficiency LEDs and retrofitted the exterior lighting. Consumers Energy's Instant Discount Program:
Pastor Casey is saving on energy bills and says the new LEDs make the building feel fresh and bright: "It’s a whole different building inside and out. And beyond better illumination, it’s also about caring for God’s Creation." |
Wait, Why is Consumers Offering Discounts and Rebates?
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One of the ways utilities make profits is by selling us energy. So why would they want to help us save energy? We get this question a lot. Since the enactment of the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act of 2008, and the extension of the Energy Efficiency Standard in 2016, Michigan utilities are required to spend a percentage of their profits on energy efficiency products and services for their customers. Programs like this-- which we helped advocate for!-- help utilities fulfill this obligation and move Michigan toward a cleaner, more efficient energy future. |
Instant Discount Program
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For straightforward projects, you can save money by buying energy efficiency products through Consumers Energy's Instant Discount Program:
This option:
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Online Marketplace
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Consumers Energy’s Online Marketplace allows you to purchase energy efficient products with the convenience of online shopping and free shipping. Available products include:
This option:
Enter code SB25 at ConsumersEnergy.com/marketplace to get 25% off your first order. |
Apply for Rebates
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For larger or more complex projects-- from lighting and refrigeration to HVAC-- you'll want to investigate Consumers Energy's Rebate Catalog and Application process.
This option:
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Watch our "Discounts and Rebates 101" Webinar
In this webinar, Mike Olsen, an Energy Advisor with Consumers Energy's Business Energy Efficiency Programs, explains how to get the discounts above and walks us through the process-- step-by-step-- of applying for and receiving rebates for energy saving projects at your house of worship.
Mike's presentation starts at 7:23.
Slides from this webinar can be viewed here.
Check out other past webinars:
- How Royal Oak First United Methodist Church renovated their historic building for energy efficiency and solar
- How Victorious Believers Ministries (Saginaw) used Consumers Energy rebates to upgrade their parking lot lighting and in the gymnasium with high-efficiency LEDs and how they plan to upgrade the lighting in the sanctuary next
Reach out to us for help!
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to inspire and equip people of faith to be better stewards of Earth. Helping congregations save energy and reducing their reliance on fossil fuels is one way we advance this mission! As a result of our efforts, we are proud that there are more ENERGY STAR-certified congregations in Michigan than in any other state.
Because state energy legislation requires our utilities to invest in helping their customers save energy, we work with Consumers Energy on this program and are here to provide you with FREE support navigating these programs.
Contact our Energy Programs Manager Jennifer Young:
- mobile: 248-463-8811
- email: [email protected]
- Sign up for an appointment on her calendar:
calendly.com/energystewardship
And finally, if you haven't already celebrated the energy savings steps your faith community has taken thus far, please consider doing so and making energy stewardship part of your congregational life. Here's a link to a template service bulletin announcement that you can share with your congregation to celebrate the steps your faith community has taken in it's energy stewardship journey!