Consumers Energy Launches Year-long Plan to Help Kalamazoo Customers Reduce Energy Use and Save Money

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (CMS) has launched 'Count on Us Kalamazoo!', a year-long initiative focused on energy waste reduction in underserved communities. The program targets three zip codes in Kalamazoo during 2025, offering energy-efficient upgrades to homes for customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.

The initiative includes various improvements such as pipe wrap installation, smart thermostat replacements, window film installation, HVAC tune-ups, and duct cleaning. Select income-qualified homeowners may also be eligible for premium energy efficiency upgrades. This expansion follows a successful implementation in Flint during 2023-2024.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider serving 6.8 million residents, will collaborate with local community action agencies and non-profit organizations to implement these upgrades. The company will also sponsor outreach events and distribute energy savings kits throughout Kalamazoo during the year.

Positive

• Program expansion to new market (Kalamazoo) following successful implementation in Flint
• Strategic initiative to reduce customer churn and maintain market share in underserved communities
• Potential for improved customer retention through subsidized energy efficiency upgrades

Negative

• Significant investment required for home upgrades and program implementation
• scope to specific zip codes may impact overall program effectiveness

Count on Us Kalamazoo! brings energy savings awareness, education and support for income qualified residents

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy announced today the launch of its year-long "Count on Us Kalamazoo!" initiative as part of the energy provider's commitment to energy waste reduction in some of its most underserved communities. Consumers Energy works to identify those most in need of reducing their energy burden and provides programs, resources and support for select neighbors served by Consumers Energy's electric and/or gas services.

Consumers Energy will work with neighbors in Kalamazoo with a focus on three targeted zip codes in 2025 to achieve impactful energy savings through various customer programs to help lower income customers' electric and gas bills and make energy efficient upgrades to their homes.

"The 'Count on Us Kalamazoo!' program showcases Consumers Energy's dedication to providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience. "We've found that energy efficiency works best when homes are structurally sound. This program makes that possible with premium energy efficiency upgrades and upgrades to insulation and windows—all paid for by us. It's our way of helping our customers, especially the most vulnerable, save money on their bills."

Customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty level are eligible to participate in most program offerings. Consumers Energy will engage various statewide and local community action agencies and non-profit organizations to implement a variety of energy efficient upgrades to households based on need. Some of the updates may include pipe wrap installation, replacing the existing thermostat with a smart thermostat, window film installation, HVAC tune-ups, and duct cleaning. A select group of income qualified homeowners may also be eligible for certain premium energy efficiency upgrades.

Kalamazoo is the second Michigan municipality to be chosen for this initiative. Consumers Energy expanded the offering to Kalamazoo after a successful launch in Flint in 2023-2024. GenWel United, a community-based organization in Flint, was among those Consumers Energy worked in partnership with on the successful effort there.

"One of the things that I appreciate about Consumers Energy is that they've always been really dedicated to seeing the community thrive. They most certainly have shown us that this is what they do every day and that they want people in our communities to thrive and to be able to identify things that are going to help them," said Edward Johnson, Founder and Chairman of GenWel United.

Consumers Energy will be present at or sponsoring several outreach events across the Kalamazoo area to promote the initiative and plans to donate and distribute energy savings kits throughout the year.

To see if you qualify for a home energy analysis and other offerings, visit ConsumersEnergy.com/MyOffer. Consumers Energy customers can also sign up for My Personalized Offerings here, which allows customers to enter some basic household information and receive program suggestions tailored to them, in under 2 minutes.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. 

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-launches-year-long-plan-to-help-kalamazoo-customers-reduce-energy-use-and-save-money-302383611.html

SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is Consumers Energy's 'Count on Us Kalamazoo!' program launching in 2025?

It's a year-long initiative providing energy efficiency upgrades and support to income-qualified residents in three targeted Kalamazoo zip codes, including improvements like pipe wrap installation, smart thermostats, and HVAC tune-ups.

Who qualifies for CMS's energy efficiency program in Kalamazoo?

Customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty level who are served by Consumers Energy's electric and/or gas services in the targeted Kalamazoo zip codes are eligible to participate.

What energy efficiency upgrades does CMS offer in the Kalamazoo program?

The program offers pipe wrap installation, smart thermostat replacements, window film installation, HVAC tune-ups, duct cleaning, and premium energy efficiency upgrades for select qualified homeowners.

Where did CMS first implement the 'Count on Us' program before Kalamazoo?

The program was first launched in Flint during 2023-2024, where CMS partnered with community organizations like GenWel United before expanding to Kalamazoo.

How many Michigan residents does CMS serve as of 2025?

Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties with natural gas and/or electricity services.