Customer Stories

Donckers and the Delft Bistro – a restaurant, soda fountain, sweet shop combo – has prioritized eco-conscious operations with help from Michigan Saves, the nation’s first nonprofit green bank.

EcoWorks wants to be an example in their community on how to solve climate change through the fundamental principles of energy efficiency and sustainability.

After losing funding during the pandemic, Michigan Saves joined the project to help finance sustainable equipment and features, including 11 solar panels and custom water and light fixtures throughout the restaurant.

Ypsilanti homeowners Zack and Claire made their home more comfortable and energy efficient by electrifying their whole house with the help of Michigan Saves.

When planning for their family’s future, Chris and Marla always look at the long-term investment. Solar power offered them the security they need now and down the road.

When the City of Fraser looked at their old and inefficient streetlights, they wanted better for their residents.

To accommodate their burgeoning numbers, the church’s leadership team decided to build a new edifice in the early 2000s. It was not long before they realized the lighting—one of the most essential components of many religious institutions—was inefficient and outdated.

The Dearborn Country Club is a historic icon. “But just because it’s a gorgeous, old, historic building doesn’t mean it has to be wasteful. They’re not mutually exclusive,” said longtime member Linda Rex.

The Ligman family’s home was extremely uncomfortable. “In the summertime, the upstairs was oppressive . . . ten degrees hotter than the main floor. In the winter, it was freezing, especially the kids’ rooms.

Dave and Kathy Peters wondered why their floors were so cold in the winter and their air conditioner ran so often in the summer.

Myron and Camilla Richardson were impressed with the quality workmanship displayed by their contractor. After conducting a thorough home energy assessment, their contractor knew their home needed a modern, high-efficiency furnace paired with insulation and air sealing.

Kelli and Michael Scholten knew their Grand Rapids home needed some work. However, after replacing their wasteful furnace with a modern unit paired with insulation and sealing leaky spots, the house is much more comfortable.

When Brian and Sara Catlett purchased their first home, they tackled several projects right away.“ One of the things we knew our home needed was better insulation. The upstairs was so much hotter than the first floor,” Brian explained.

Laura and Steve McMullen knew they wanted new windows. With Michigan Saves, they were able to make their future wishes for home improvement a reality today.

Amy Zane owns a beautiful jewelry store and art gallery in Kalamazoo. One day, Amy was approached by a Webster Electric representative who showed her how much money she’d stop wasting by switching to energy efficient LED lighting.

At the Baraga Lakeside Inn, being green isn’t just about saving money or conserving the environment—it’s also about catering to a new kind of customer.

Sam and Naji Bahoura have owned Liberty Food Center, a grocery store in Detroit, for 27 years. With such a long record of success, you know Sam and Naji have kept a close eye on the bottom line.

Jeff Abdelnour, owner of Meadows Fine Wine & Liquor in Farmington, was skeptical at first. When his contractor brought LED lights to his store and asked him to consider energy improvements, he didn’t want to listen.

In greater Lansing, Playmakers is an institution. Since 1981, this fitness store has gone above and beyond selling great athletic shoes and active wear—it has helped an entire region of people reach their fitness goals and improve their health.

Leslie Etterbeek wants the best for her tenants. A property manager for LR Management, Etterbeek oversees more than a dozen properties and treats each one like her own home. This dedication is what prompted Etterbeek to sign up for energy-efficiency financing through Michigan Saves.