When Bazzani Building Company planned Bradford Station in Grand Rapids' Belknap Lookout neighborhood, the conventional wisdom said Michigan winters demand gas heat. The building answered otherwise: ductless Mitsubishi heat pumps in every unit, no gas hookups, and residents whose utility bills average about $60 a month — peaking near $90 in the depths of winter.
The efficiency comes from fundamentals: superior insulation, disciplined air sealing, and right-sized micro units that earn HERS ratings of 45–47 and average monthly consumption around 350 kWh. Water gets the same rigor — 1.28 gallon-per-flush toilets, 1.75 GPM showerheads, ENERGY STAR appliances, and per-unit leak testing earned a Home Water Score of 4.
Bradford Station became Michigan's first GreenStar-certified multifamily building — following the first-ever certification in Chicago — and carries the Electrified Living badge — a template every cold-climate developer can point to.
At a glance
- All-electric with ductless heat pumps — ~$60/month average utility bills in Michigan
- HERS 45–47 with ~350 kWh average monthly consumption per unit
- Home Water Score of 4: efficient fixtures, ENERGY STAR appliances, leak testing
Built by Bazzani Building Company (Peter Skornia)
Your project could be next.
This project followed the same published checklist available to everyone. See where your home stands, or register with the GreenHome Institute.