Heat Pump Concierge & State Rebates

Ann Arbor residents,

Thank you for your engagement with the A²ZERO Home Energy Advisor!  Given your participation with this program, we thought you might be interested in a few new resources available to assist you on your path to improving the energy efficiency and climate impact of your home. See below for information about a new A²ZERO Heat Pump Concierge to assist Ann Arborites with design and cost information for heat pumps, and the recently-launched Michigan Home Energy Rebates (MiHER) program from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.

As always, we remain available to you for ongoing assistance and any questions regarding your home energy systems. If you’d like to schedule a 15 or 30-minute call with us, we can help with technical questions, contractor connections, bid reviews, comfort issues and more.

The New Pearl Edison A²ZERO Heat Pump Concierge

There is strong interest in cold-climate heat pumps in the Ann Arbor community, as switching our heating from fossil gas to efficient electric heating and cooling has a large impact on the climate-warming emissions of our homes.  Heat pumps also have the benefit of producing a very comfortable, stable temperature in our homes, without the risks of gas leaks and combustion.

However, switching our heating systems to cold-climate heat pumps can be confusing for homeowners.  There are many factors to consider, including up-front costs, operational costs, system design, finding skilled contractors, and determining whether other home modifications might be needed for optimal performance.

Pearl Edison’s new A²ZERO Heat Pump Concierge platform is designed to address all of this. The platform is set up to help residents compare heat pump design options, get a fair price that takes advantage of federal, state, local, and utility rebates (including Ann Arbor’s Home Energy Rebates), and connect with a qualified contractor for installation. The platform also helps residents evaluate any weatherization, ductwork modifications, or electrical upgrades that might be necessary to ensure the success of the install.  Residents can access an online estimate and schedule a home assessment, during which a BPI-certified Pearl Edison Advisor will confirm the design specifications and lock-in pricing. Pearl Edison then bids the project out to vetted contractors and provides quality assurance through installation and commissioning. This concierge service is completely free to participants.

Ann Arbor residents can access the Pearl Edison A²ZERO Heat Pump Concierge platform for more information and can learn more about Pearl Edison here.  Pearl Edison is based in Detroit Michigan with offices in Ann Arbor. 

Michigan Home Energy Rebates (MiHER) Program

The long-awaited federal rebates for home energy upgrades have arrived! This program comes as a result of the investments made by the Inflation Reduction Act under the Biden administration.  Details continue to roll out, but you can learn about your eligibility and apply for the program on the MiHER Website.  The program is currently focused on low- and moderate-income households with plans to expand to market rate households in 2026.

The MiHER program works through approved contractors. For heat pumps and weatherization, the A²ZERO Heat Pump Concierge (above) is an approved contractor and can work with you to access all applicable rebates.  And of course, we (your A²ZERO Home Energy Advisor) are here to help you along your own home decarbonization journey with guidance and connections, wherever you are along the way.