Our Environmental Impact
Habitat’s work has a positive environmental impact by helping increase sustainability, improving energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint for new homeowners, neighborhood residents and community as a whole. Through our Healthy Homes, Healthy Planet focus, we provide healthier homes, healthier financial futures for families and individuals, and a healthier environment for our community, all using methods that are sustainable for both the homeowner and Habitat.
Habitat is a good steward of the environment. We focus on energy efficiency in everything we do. From our highly energy-efficient renovations to our refrigerator replacement program to the ReStore, we concentrate on making a difference for our families, the community, and the environment.
The Impact of our Programs
Each home that we build/renovate or household that receives a Habitat home improvement reduces greenhouse gases by over one metric ton each year -- equivalent to 2,600 miles driven a year!
Habitat’s homeownership program
We provide low-interest mortgages to qualified partnering applicants in need of decent, safe, and affordable housing. Newly renovated (or new built), energy-efficient Habitat homes are sold to those who qualify and are approved for our program. Habitat homebuyers must have a need for affordable housing, live or work in Washtenaw County, and partner with us to provide ‘sweat equity’ hours. Habitat has sold over 275 houses in Washtenaw County since 1989.
Through our focused and thoughtful renovation process, we are able to reduce energy costs by around $600 annually in each Habitat home we sell.
Habitat’s Home Improvement Program
Habitat provides families and individuals of low income who already own their homes with critical home repairs and energy-saving appliance improvements ensuring health, stability, and safety come first. Major home repairs, such as roof replacements, can be costly, especially for those who are living in the neighborhoods we serve. Typical repairs offered include roof replacement, insulation and air sealing, furnace or water heater replacement, barrier-free showers, and other critical repairs.
Habitat is able to reduce energy costs by around $200-$400 annually for families participating in our Home Improvement Program.
Click here to learn more about our Home Improvement Programs.
Energy-efficient renovations & improvements
AVERAGE HOME
• 1,000 square foot ranch, 3-bed, 1-bath
• Built in early 1950s with a basement or crawlspace
TYPICAL IMPROVEMENTS
• Furnace replacement with new highly energy efficient furnace, reduces energy consumption
• Water heater replacement with new power-vented, Energy Star model, greatly reduces risk of CO poisoning
• Replace or add Central Air Conditioning, improves indoor air quality
• Add attic insulation, increases comfort and reduces utility cost
• Insulate rim joists with air sealing, eliminates air leakages and increases comfort
TYPICAL RENOVATIONS AND NEW BUILDS
• Attic and foundation Insulation
• Energy Star appliances and windows
• High-efficiency mechanical systems, including furnaces, central air conditioning units and power-vent water heaters
Sustainability
The results of these efforts are a more sustainable future; for the homeowner, for Habitat, for the community, and for the environment.
Habitat’s energy-efficient homes and home improvements reduce harmful environmental factors (like carbon monoxide), improve health & safety (available hot water, working furnace, better ventilation & insulation, better piece of mind and more).
Our energy-efficient homes and home improvements reduce utility bills, provide an affordable or free solution to a costly problem (new roof, new furnace, new refrigerator), and asset preservation helping to support generational wealth transfer.
Our programs and our ReStore reduce the carbon footprint to our community and environment. Habitat approaches all programs with what is best for the homeowner, while ensuring we have as great a community impact as possible.