FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Five Indiana homebuilders led the way in achieving energy efficiency through Indiana Michigan Power’s New Home Construction Program. In 2020, 496 homes qualified for rebates.
Lancia Homes, Granite Ridge Builders, Ideal Suburban Homes, Keller Development and Westport Homes constructed more than half of those homes. Keller Development led the way in constructing all-electric homes.
Together, those homes will save 965,746 kWh of energy annually – enough to power about 82 typical homes for an entire year.
"Indiana Michigan Power is pleased to work with home builders in our service area to help make homes more affordable, comfortable and cost efficient,” said Toby Thomas, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer. “I&M’s New Construction Program offers new home buyers a certified energy efficient home, which can help boost a home’s value.”
A home’s energy efficiency is measured in an audit that utilizes the independent Home Energy Rating System (HERS) developed by the Residential Energy Services Network, a non-profit corporation. The average home built in 2020 under I&M’s New Construction program has a HERS score of 59. The average score is 65 in Indiana. The lower the rating number, the higher the efficiency.
Key contributors to a home’s rating are an energy-efficient furnace and an air conditioner and/or heat pump. Other elements include smart thermostats, LED lights, quality of windows and insulation, and high efficiency showerheads that reduce the amount of heated water.
Builders can learn more about the program and how to earn rebates at ElectricIdeas.com/NewConstruction. I&M customers can also find a variety of energy saving products, rebates and tips for saving energy at homes and businesses by going to IndianaMichiganPower.com and clicking on “Save Energy.”
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 599,000 customers. More than two-thirds of its energy delivered in 2019 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s approximately 17,400 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 221,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with more than 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 5,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Warner
Indiana Michigan Power Communications
260-479-9484
?tkwarner@aep.com