Sustainable Demonstration House: Retrofit an Existing, Older Home into an Energy Efficient Residence

This project is about helping Western Upper Peninsula households reduce energy consumption, save money, and reduce carbon impact. The area has low median household incomes, high unemployment, old housing stock, a high number of heating degree days, an elderly demographic, and a significant segment of the population living in rental housing. At $0.25/Kw-hr, the electric rates in the area place severe energy burdens on such vulnerable populations. Residents and businesses are concerned and eager to learn what energy efficiency and renewable energy steps they can take to reduce costs and carbon impact. The residence outlined here will be a model “net zero energy demo house.” Working with local community organizations, this student-led project will demonstrate economical and environmental sustainability through efficiency enhancements and retrofits, managing and recycling waste, and utilize renewable resources to generate energy.

Students who live in the model residence will be expected to participate in outreach activities throughout the local community and online to help people learn about, experience, and make their own energy reductions. There are many older homes in the Western Upper Peninsula that were constructed during the mining boom a century ago. The model home will serve as an example of how similar homes throughout the UP and the rest of Michigan can be renovated for sustainable living. The Enterprise program is a unique multi-year, multi-disciplinary curriculum that promotes the development of students’ technical, business, and interpersonal skills in a business-like environment.