Frequently asked questions
About the program
Is this a government website?
No. Michigan Home Upgrades is operated by Anomaly Building Efficiency Advisors, a private company and registered contractor in the Michigan Home Energy Rebates (MiHER) program. The State of Michigan decides who qualifies for rebates.
What does the program pay for?
Efficiency and electrification work for income-qualified households. A typical project includes some combination of efficiency work (high-efficiency furnace, attic insulation, air sealing) and electrification work (heat pump, electrical panel upgrade, wiring, ventilation).
Every project is different. The measures are determined by where your home can achieve the most energy reduction, which comes out of the assessment and the energy model. See what's covered for examples.
Will I have to pay anything?
It depends on your approval. With an Enhanced approval, approved work is generally covered in full. With a Standard approval, the program covers part of it and you pay the rest.
Occasionally the model identifies work that isn't covered. When that happens you'll know before anything starts, and you can decide whether to cover the difference or proceed with the covered measures only.
Can you tell me what my project will cost before the assessment?
No. The work your home needs comes out of the assessment and the energy model, so there's no way to know the cost before then.
With an Enhanced approval, approved work is generally covered in full. With a Standard approval, what you would owe depends entirely on the work your home needs, and the amount is often significant. Either way, if the model finds work that isn't covered, you'll know before anything starts.
Who qualifies
Who decides whether I qualify?
The State of Michigan. Eligibility and income approval are handled by the state, not by us, and the state decides whether your approval is Enhanced or Standard.
Separately, a few things about the home itself can keep us from taking on a project. They're covered below.
Can renters apply, or only homeowners?
Both. We work with homeowners and tenants.
How long do I need to have lived in the home?
At least 12 months, with the utilities on.
What types of homes do you work on?
Single-family homes, condos and townhouses. We're not able to work on manufactured or mobile homes.
What conditions have to be fixed before work can start?
Certain conditions have to be resolved before energy work can proceed: an active roof leak where water is entering the home, standing water anywhere in the home, or a pest or animal infestation. Once it's resolved, reach out again. We'll cover anything else during the assessment.
My home is already fairly efficient. Could that keep it from qualifying?
Yes, and it's the one that catches people off guard. If your furnace is a condensing 90% unit, replacing it with a 97% won't produce enough savings to justify funding — even if the existing unit is in poor shape. Same with attic insulation. If you're already at R28, taking it to R49 doesn't move the number enough.
That's the difference between an energy program and a repair program. Funding follows measured savings, not condition.
What if my home is heated by a boiler?
We're unable to service boilers. We can assess other energy saving opportunities.
Applying
How do I apply?
Apply to the state first. Eligibility and income approval are handled by the program, not by us. See if you're eligible (opens in a new tab)
Once you're approved, you select a registered contractor. That's where we start.
What's the difference between an Enhanced and a Standard approval?
Enhanced approvals cover approved work in full. Standard approvals cover part of it, and the homeowner pays the rest.
The State decides which one you receive, and your approval email will say. How much you would owe on a Standard approval depends entirely on the work your home needs — there's no way to know before the assessment and the energy model, and the amount is often significant.
If your approval comes back Standard, talk to us before you assume anything either way. We'll walk you through what it means for your home.
My district isn't accepting applications. What can I do?
MiHER funding is managed by district. A district can pause new income-qualified applications when its funds are committed and reopen later; when the funding is used up for good, it closes and won't reopen. Either way it's the state's decision, not ours.
If you're already approved, none of that affects you: your approval is still good and we can start whenever you're ready.
If you're not approved yet and your district is paused or closed, there's nothing to apply for there right now. Program status shows where each district stands.
What if I already applied and selected a different contractor?
We can't take on a project another MiHER contractor is already handling. If you'd like to change that, call us at (248) 940-3344 and we'll tell you what's possible.
After you apply
I've been approved. What happens next?
Select us as your contractor on the state's MiHER portal: choose Anomaly Building Efficiency Advisors. Then send us your MiHER approval letter and your latest gas and electric bills as PDFs through your project portal. Once we've reviewed your documents, we'll be in touch to schedule your energy assessment.
What happens at the assessment, and how long does it take?
About an hour, sometimes longer depending on the house. Someone 18 or older needs to be present the whole time. Before we come out, we'll ask whether your foundation is a basement, slab, or crawl space, where your mechanical systems are, whether your attic is accessible, and whether anything needs to be moved so we can get to them.
After the assessment we model how much efficiency your home can achieve. That result determines how much funding the project qualifies for, and whether it moves forward.
How long does the whole project take?
It's a months-long process, and it depends on trade availability. You'll e-sign the project scope, the program reviews it, and once approved the funding is reserved for your home. We'll be straight with you about timing, and we'll need you responsive as things move.
Working with us
Do I need a computer or smartphone?
Our process runs through a secure online portal. You'll upload your MiHER approval letter and your latest gas and electric bills there, and we'll communicate with you there throughout the project. You'll need an email address you check. If that's hard for you, someone can help.
Can a family member help me with the online part?
Yes. If a family member or friend helps you with email or websites, add their name and phone number when you fill out our form, and we'll include them.
How do I get back into my project portal?
Use Client Login at the top of any page. Enter your email address and we'll send you a new secure link.