DTE and Consumers Energy rebates, federal tax credits, and practical ways to cut heating and cooling bills.
Southeast Michigan homeowners can stack up to four kinds of help on a qualifying HVAC install: the federal 25C tax credit (30 percent up to annual caps, higher for heat pumps), a DTE Energy or Consumers Energy rebate, and for income-qualified households, Michigan's HOMES and HEAR rebates through EGLE. Amounts and rules change every year, so verify the current program before you buy.
DTE Energy offers residential rebates for qualifying high-efficiency furnaces, central air conditioners, heat pumps, smart thermostats and, in some years, tune-ups and duct sealing. Equipment must meet that year's efficiency threshold, applications are filed after installation with the invoice and model numbers, and amounts change annually. Check dte.com for the current list before choosing equipment.
Consumers Energy serves natural gas in western Washtenaw County around Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester and some Livingston County addresses, and offers residential rebates on qualifying high-efficiency furnaces, heat pumps, smart thermostats and other measures. If your gas bill is from Consumers, apply there even if DTE supplies your electricity. Amounts change yearly; consumersenergy.com has the current list.
The biggest heating bill savings in a Michigan winter come from an 8 to 10 degree overnight setback, sealing duct leaks in the basement, air sealing and insulating the attic, keeping indoor humidity around 35 percent so a lower thermostat setting feels warm, and a clean filter. Replacing an 80% furnace with a 96% unit cuts gas use about 15 percent and is the largest single step.
In Southeast Michigan, cutting the cooling bill means managing humidity, not just temperature. Run the blower on Auto rather than On, keep the thermostat at 75 to 78 with indoor humidity under 55 percent, keep the outdoor coil clean, shade west windows, shift laundry and dishwashing off DTE's peak hours, and avoid an oversized AC that cools fast but never dries the air.
Call or text and you reach Al, not a call center. Same-day service whenever possible, flat-rate pricing quoted before any work, and the same rate at 2 a.m. as 2 p.m.
