Using Ann Arbor insulation rebates to finally fix uneven temperatures
“Great experience from the estimate, project management and installation crew. Listened to our needs; were courteous; professional and great quality work.”
– Kelly D., Ann Arbor
Kelly and her family had wanted to improve the insulation in their Ann Arbor home for years.
Like many homeowners, they could tell the house wasn’t performing the way it should. A few rooms felt chilly in winter and tough to cool in summer. They suspected the attic insulation wasn’t doing much to help.
That’s when a friend referred Kelly to the A²ZERO home energy assessment program. A²ZERO helped her understand which improvements qualified for Ann Arbor insulation rebates and shared a list of participating contractors. From that list, she chose Ecotelligent Homes to complete the audit and upgrades.
Here’s the story of Kelly’s rebate-backed comfort upgrade — and what it took to even out temperatures across her home. If you have questions about insulation or rebates in Southeast Michigan, give us a call at (248) 291-7815 or send a message:
Since 2009, Ecotelligent Homes has been a woman-owned, women-led insulation and energy efficiency contractor trusted by more than 3,000 Michigan homeowners. Every project is backed by a price match guarantee and a satisfaction guarantee.
What we found: Low insulation, major air leaks, and uneven temperatures
During the home energy audit, our team used blower door testing, thermal imaging, and a full attic inspection to understand what was driving the comfort issues.
Here’s what stood out:
- Attic insulation measured R-11.2, well below ENERGY STAR recommendations
- Upper attic also measured R-11.2, with no air barrier
- Knee walls and rim joist were uninsulated (R-0 to R-3)
- Air leakage around top plates, electrical penetrations, and bath fan ducting
- Disconnected or uninsulated ventilation runs
- Pre-project blower door: 2,050 CFM50, in the drafty and inefficient range
Thermal imaging confirmed large cold spots in the attic and along the knee walls. Warm air was escaping upward, and cold air was leaking in through the rim joist and attic bypasses. For an Ann Arbor home built in the 1960s, this pattern is extremely common - and extremely fixable.
What we did: Insulation upgrades tailored to comfort and energy performance
Kelly wanted a smart, no-frills upgrade that improved comfort while making the most of available Ann Arbor insulation rebates. We walked through several options and finalized a scope that balanced performance and budget.
Lower attic and upper attic
- Removed old fiberglass and debris
- Installed 6-ft foam ventilation baffles
- Air sealed top plates, plumbing and wiring penetrations
- Weather-stripped and insulated the attic hatch
- Added ~16 inches of blown cellulose to reach R-60
- Installed new bath fan with R-8 insulated ducting for proper ventilation
Knee walls
- Applied 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam (R-21)
- Applied thermal barrier paint to meet code
Rim joist
- Removed old batt insulation
- Air sealed the entire perimeter
- Applied 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam for R-21 and a continuous air and thermal barrier
Quality assurance
Ecotelligent Homes followed its full Six-Point Quality Assurance Check, including:
- Pre and post blower door tests
- Thermal imaging
- Ventilation checks
- Health and safety testing
- Photo documentation
- Pearl Certification
This process ensures every project performs as designed, and that comfort improvements are verified, not assumed.
Also, when the cellulose was installed, Kelly received a lifetime manufacturer warranty that guarantees thermal resistance, density, and fire performance over the life of the material.
Project cost and Ann Arbor rebates
Thanks to careful rebate planning, Kelly was able to complete a comprehensive insulation and air sealing upgrade for well under the typical out-of-pocket cost.
Kelly’s project qualified for multiple incentives:
- A²ZERO attic insulation rebate
- A²ZERO air sealing rebate
- A²ZERO rim joist rebate
- A²ZERO bonus rebate
- DTE rebates
Combined A²ZERO and DTE incentives: $3,650
The project initially cost about $9,400, and the rebates covered roughly 39% of the total. After incentives, Kelly paid only $5,750 out of pocket.
The results: Immediate comfort and a tighter, more efficient home
After installation, our post-project tests showed measurable improvements:
- Blower door dropped from 2,050 to 1,390 CFM50
- 32% reduction in air leakage, exceeding the 20% target
- Dramatic improvement in thermal imaging with even coverage and minimal cold spots
Kelly and her family noticed the difference right away.
“We noticed an immediate difference in the comfort of our home this summer,” Kelly said. “Now that the cold weather is here, we already feel more comfortable in some of the coldest spaces in our house.”
She expects ongoing savings as their heating and cooling systems no longer need to work as hard to maintain consistent temperatures.
And in her words: “We wish we had completed this project sooner.”
Thinking about your comfort and energy bills?
If your Ann Arbor home has drafty rooms, uneven temperatures, or older insulation, the right upgrades can make a big difference in comfort and efficiency. Rebates like the A²ZERO program, DTE incentives, and federal tax credits can significantly reduce project costs when planned correctly.
Our team can walk you through the data, help you understand your insulation options, and design a plan that fits your home and budget.
Call us at (248) 291-7815 or send us a message to get started.
Ecotelligent Homes
Since 2009, more than 3,000 Michigan homeowners have trusted Ecotelligent Homes to make their homes comfortable and efficient. If you want an energy audit, insulation, HVAC, or abatement services, give us a call anytime: (248) 291-7815. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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