Program Update:
The response to the Oakland SAVES program was phenomenal with more than 1,050 households receiving approval for the money saving, energy efficiency upgrade grants in less than a week. Tier 1 and Tier 2 grant incentive funds have been fully committed to previous applicants.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Michigan Saves is thrilled to be partnering with Oakland County on the Oakland SAVES (Simple Actions for Valuable Energy Savings) grant program launching January 22, 2024. Oakland County has invested $5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide Oakland County residents with grant incentives to reduce energy burdens for lower-income homeowners and promote energy efficiency in homes.
The Oakland SAVES program is available through December 31, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. Program funds are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Program Status
Program Summary
The Oakland SAVES program is open to all Oakland County, single-family home owners through a tiered system based on income level. Rental or income properties are not eligible.
Tier One
The first tier provides up to $5,000 in grant incentives to income-qualified homeowners for energy improvements in their home. To qualify for this incentive, your annual household taxable income must be at or below the following levels (taxable income is found on line 15 of your 2022 federal 1040 tax form):
| Persons in Household | Maximum Annual Household Taxable Income to Qualify |
| 1 | $36,450 |
| 2 | $49,300 |
| 3 | $62,150 |
| 4 | $75,000 |
| 5 | $87,850 |
| 6 | $100,700 |
| 7 | $113,550 |
| 8 | $126,400 |
To receive the tier one grant incentive, you must provide proof of income by submitting a 2022 federal 1040 tax form. If you want to implement qualifying energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements that exceed $5,000, you are responsible for the additional costs. Rental or income properties are not eligible.
Tier Two
The second tier is available to all Oakland County homeowners who do not qualify for the income-based first tier incentive. At tier two, you can receive a grant incentive equal to 20 percent of your eligible project’s cost, with a maximum amount of $3,000. Rental or income properties are not eligible.
Tier Three
After Oakland SAVES program funds are exhausted, homeowners can still fund eligible energy improvement projects through Michigan Saves’ residential financing program, which provides low-interest loans for eligible projects. Homeowners must submit a separate loan application and meet credit-based criteria to qualify for the loan.
The grant incentives through the Oakland SAVES program are limited to one incentive per address or household. Once your application is approved, your grant incentive funds will be held for 90 days. Michigan Saves may grant extensions for certain improvements, like windows, doors, or solar photovoltaic systems, that have long lead times. The grant incentives are not retroactive to projects completed prior to the start date of the program.
Eligible Improvements
Eligible improvements made through the Oakland SAVES program must be installed by a Michigan Saves authorized contractor. Michigan Saves has a network of over 150 authorized contractors in Oakland County and over 900 contractors across the state of Michigan. Use the “Find Your Contractor” tool to find an authorized contractor near you.
Any of the following energy efficiency improvements are eligible for Oakland SAVES grant incentives.
| Equipment | Minimum Efficiency Level | Equipment | Minimum Efficiency Level |
| Building Shell | Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning | ||
| Air sealing | No minimum | Air conditioner (split system)* | 15.2 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 (SEER2) |
| Attic insulation | No minimum | Air-source heat pump* | 15.2 SEER2 |
| Attic hatch insulation | No minimum | Boiler* | 95% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) |
| Basement wall insulation | No minimum | Furnace with an electronically commutated motor (ECM)* | 96% AFUE |
| Crawlspace wall insulation | No minimum | Ground-source heat pump (geothermal)* | 16.1 Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) |
| Door (exterior) | 0.30 U-factor | Thermostat | No minimum |
| Door weatherstripping | No minimum | Renewable Energy | |
| Duct insulation | No minimum | Battery storage | No minimum |
| Floor insulation | No minimum | Electric vehicle charging station | No minimum |
| Knee wall insulation | No minimum | Solar photovoltaic | No minimum |
| Rim joist insulation | No minimum | Water Heating | |
| Wall insulation | No minimum | Instant gas water heater* | 0.95 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) |
| Windows | 0.27 U-factor | Gas tank water heater* | 0.81 UEF |
| Heat pump water heater* | 2.80 UEF | ||
Download the list of eligible improvements
*Funds can be used to replace equipment that is at least seven years old or failed. The contractor must provide documentation that the existing equipment meets this condition.