We’re excited to announce that a new case study – “Linking Energy Efficiency and Healthier Homes” – is now available for download. The case study covers the development of the Healthier Homes program, which connects energy savings and improved health outcomes for lower-income consumers.

While the existing Helping Neighbors program had been successful in reducing energy use and the energy burden for income-eligible customers, Consumers Energy began thinking holistically about its energy efficiency program and potential non-energy impacts that could be delivered to customers.

As a result, Consumers Energy and CLEAResult launched the Healthier Homes program, which works with a health center in Flint, Michigan that refers qualified asthma patients who are likely to benefit from improved indoor air conditions. These customers are then connected to a customer advocate who will be their single point-of-contact as they continue through the program and receive energy efficiency and non-energy waste reduction upgrades.

In 2021, Consumers Energy had close to 100 homes participate in the program, and more than 130 participated in 2022. The projects completed in 2022 included 135 HEPA air purifiers, 386 hypoallergenic mattress covers, 134 dehumidifiers, 260 hypoallergenic pillow coverings and other direct-install measures.

With the addition of the new case study, there are now over 40 success stories available in our archive from a wide range of electricity providers across the United States and Canada, including Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Ameren Illinois, Cobb EMC, London Hydro, AEP Ohio, ComEd and MCE.