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Contractors are your sales team – educate and empower them with the skills to sell home energy upgrades

Many home performance programs have confronted the challenge of how to reach out to more customers and to improve conversion rates of customer interest into completed upgrades. Realizing that the contractor is a primary face-to-face link between customers and the program, some Better Buildings...
Tips for Success

Make upgrade options clear and concise for customers

Programs in many regions of the U.S. find that the concept of home performance is new to homeowners. Homeowners may not know how energy efficiency measures compare (e.g., energy savings benefits of insulation versus new windows) or have not heard about some effective measures, such as air sealing...
Tips for Success

Make upgrade benefits visible by showcasing completed projects and actual results

Unlike remodeling projects, home energy upgrade benefits are generally not immediately visible to the casual observer. Strategies that demonstrate tangible benefits from upgrades can help increase understanding and motivation with potential customers. To help energy efficiency become real, some...
Tips for Success

Marketing and Marketing & Outreach Collaborative Intro, November 2, 2010

Author(s)
Kerry O'Neill, Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
Energy Upgrade California

Webinar presenting methods for increasing communication within a marketing team. LA County and Oregon BBNP grantees also share their experiences regarding market research and outreach strategy development.

Resource - Webcast

Innovations in Processes to Accelerate Home Upgrade Programs

Author(s)
Dale Hoffmeyer, U.S. Department of Energy,
Chris Baker, Arizona Public Service (APS),
Torsten Glidden, Build It Green
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California,
Arizona Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

Achieving energy savings goals and improving customer and contractor satisfaction while staying cost-effective makes managing home energy upgrade programs challenging. DOE's Home Upgrade Program Accelerator is working with program administrators to identify strategies that overcome challenges and achieve better results. The Arizona Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program completed process improvements that improved contractor satisfaction and deceased quality assurance labor.  Build It Green implemented software improvements to their utility program's online rebate applications portal to accelerate data processing.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Spring Forward: Top Strategies for Growing and Scaling Your Program (301)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E),
New Jersey Clean Energy Program,
Energy Upgrade California

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on strategies for scaling up and growing residential energy efficiency programs or contracting businesses. It covered PG&E's Residential Energy Efficiency Program's Pay for Performance (P4P) program. It also covered priority areas to consider when scaling up a program, such as contractor sales and marketing training and maintaining quality.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Rainbows and Leprechauns: Finding Gold in Partnerships

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Baltimore Energy Challenge,
Energy Upgrade California

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how to assess, reassess, and initiate organization partnerships.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Leveraging Holidays and Other Events

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on the strategies and challenges of using holidays and other seasonal events to market energy assessments and upgrades.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Information Technology Tools for Multifamily Building Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergySmart Colorado

This peer exchange call summary focused on multifamily information technology tools for project information, marketing, assessment, tracking and evaluation.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Better Buildings Program: Brands & Websites

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Community Power Works,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Maine,
emPowerSBC,
Energize Bedford,
Energize Phoenix,
EnergySmart Colorado,
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergyWorks,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Green Madison,
BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,
Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2),
Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team - A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New Hampshire BetterBuildings,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
reEnergize,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

This presentation includes the brands, website addresses, and images for most of the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Loan Loss Reserve Fund Agreement

Author(s)
Energy Upgrade California
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
Example loan loss reserve fund agreement.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Energy Upgrade California - Post Home Tour Survey Form

Author(s)
Energy Upgrade California
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
Survey form used by Energy Upgrade California to assess open house tour attendee interest in obtaining further information about upgrade opportunities.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Los Angeles County Energy Issues Phone Survey

Author(s)
Los Angeles County, California
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
Sample script Los Angeles County used to survey homeowners about energy issues.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Green with Envy: Neighbor Comparisons and Social Norms in Five Home Energy Report Programs

Author(s)
Kira Ashby and Hilary Forster, Consortium for Energy Efficiency,
Bruce Ceniceros, Sacramento Municipal Utility District,
Bobbi Wilhelm, Puget Sound Energy,
Kim Friebel, Commonwealth Edison,
Rachel Henschel, National Grid,
Shahana Samiullah, Southern California Edison
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
National Grid,
Southern California Edison,
Puget Sound Energy,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED)

This paper explores ways in which program administrators are using social norms to spur behavior change and, as a result, curb energy use. In recent years, home energy reports (HER) programs have applied the concept of social norms to the energy efficiency context. These feedback programs inform customers of how their energy consumption compares to their neighbors' and provide other information about their usage, with the goal of enticing customers to change their energy use behavior to improve their relative neighborhood ranking.

Resource - Publications

MF HERCC Recommendations Report: 2015 Update

Author(s)
Multifamily Subcommittee of the California Home Energy Retrofit Coordinating Committee
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

The MF HERCC Recommendations Report 2015 Update expands the 2011 publication, and delivers explicit and refined recommendations for multifamily energy efficiency program administrators and implementers.

Resource - Publications

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Grantee Incentives

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Atlanta SHINE,
Be SMART,
Beacon Communities Project,
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
BetterBuildings for Greensboro,
BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,
Camden POWER - A Better Buildings Initiative,
CarrboroWISE,
City of Indianapolis Better Buildings Program,
Chapel Hill WISE,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Community Alliance for Energy Efficiency (Cafe2),
Community Power Works,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
DecaturWISE,
Efficiency Maine,
emPowerSBC,
Energize Phoenix,
EnergyFit Nevada,
Energy Impact Illinois,
EnergySmart,
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergyWorks,
Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Huntsville WISE,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Michigan Saves,
Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team - A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
reEnergize,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton,
Richmond Regional Energy Alliance (RREA),
ShopSmart with JEA,
Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF),
Small Town Energy Program (STEP),
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC),
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This publication summarizes some of the incentives offered by Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Resource - Publications

Contractor Blueprint: Getting from HVAC to Home Performance

Author(s)
California Center for Sustainable Energy,
Home Performance Resource Center
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This guide shows HVAC contractors how to get started in the home improvement market. It explains the approach of treating a house like a system and provides step-by-step instructions on setting up a home performance contracting business.

Resource - Publications

Strategies for Improving Efficiency in Delivering Efficiency

Author(s)
Cynthia Adams, Local Energy Alliance Program,
Larry Earegood, Consumers Energy (MI),
John Schott, NYSERDA,
Gavin Hastings, Arizona Public Service,
Emily Salzberg, Washington State University Energy,
Adam Buick, Community Power Works (WA),
Bob Knight, BKi
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Arizona Public Service (APS),
Community Power Works,
Energy Upgrade California,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Michigan Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
RePower Kitsap

Quick summaries of strategies various programs have used to improve the efficiency of delivering efficiency.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Retrofit LA: Final Report

Author(s)
Los Angeles County, California
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
This final report for the Retrofit LA Program includes activities, metrics, accomplishments.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Los Angeles County Energy Program Energy Issues Survey Results Presentation

Author(s)
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
This presentation describes California property owners' specific interest, awareness, and perceptions regarding energy use, energy efficiency, home energy upgrades, and related topics.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Upgrade California, Marketing and Sales Support

Author(s)
Energy Upgrade California
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
This Los Angeles County, California, presentation shares how to build broad, positive awareness of and support for programs; gain the tools and resources to align and coordinate marketing efforts; and increase flexibility and responsiveness in messaging and scope.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County: The Flex Path Program

Author(s)
Steve Culbertson, BKi
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
This presentation talks about Energy Upgrade California's Flex Path pilot program which offers a menu of upgrade options for homeowners to select. Its flexible approach has been popular with middle-income homeowners interested in upgrades.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

March Energy Madness

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Denver Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
Energize Delaware,
Watt Watchers,
Empower Chattanooga,
Energy Upgrade California

This presentation includes examples of 16 programs' creative marketing materials.  The Better Buildings Residential Network held a March Madness tournament to find the most creative residential energy efficiency messages during March Peer Exchange Calls. Sixteen marketing campaigns were featured in a bracket challenge on the calls, and participants made their picks. Residential Network member the Fuel Fund of Maryland was chosen as the winning message for its Watt Watchers campaign.

Resource - Program Materials

Energy Upgrade California Statewide Financing Pilots Marketing Education & Outreach Plan

Author(s)
Energy Upgrade California
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This plan presents the marketing education and outreach plan for Energy Upgrade California's financing pilots.

Resource - Program Materials

Content Type

  • Resource (21)
  • Tips for Success (3)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (5)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (8)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (6)
  • Marketing & Outreach (13)
  • Financing (3)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (3)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (2)
  • Strategy Development (23)
  • Planning (30)
  • (-) Implementation (24)
  • Evaluation (17)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Alaska (1)
  • Arizona (3)
  • California (20)
  • Colorado (2)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Delaware (1)
  • Illinois (2)
  • Louisiana (1)
  • Maine (1)
  • Maryland (2)
  • Massachusetts (1)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Minnesota (1)
  • Missouri (1)
  • New Jersey (1)
  • New York (1)
  • Nova Scotia (1)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • Texas (1)
  • Washington (1)

Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (46)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (34)
  • Efficiency Maine (25)
  • Austin Energy (23)
  • (-) Energy Upgrade California (23)
  • Michigan Saves (19)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (18)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (17)
  • RePower Bainbridge (16)
  • Efficiency Vermont (15)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (15)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (15)
  • RePower Kitsap (15)
  • Elevate Energy (14)
  • RePower Bremerton (13)
  • Community Power Works (12)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (12)
  • EnergySmart (12)
  • EnergyWorks (12)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (12)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (9)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (8)
  • Focus on Energy (8)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (7)
  • Energize Phoenix (7)
  • Long Island Green Homes (7)
  • Mass Save (7)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (7)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (6)
  • Energize Connecticut (6)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (6)
  • reEnergize (6)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (6)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (6)
  • BetterBuildings for Greensboro (5)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (5)
  • NOLA WISE (5)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (5)
  • Small Town Energy Program (STEP) (5)
  • Be SMART (4)
  • Cambridge Energy Alliance (4)
  • CharlestonWISE (4)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (4)
  • Energize Delaware (4)
  • Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star (4)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (4)
  • New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (4)
  • emPowerSBC (3)
  • Energize New York (3)
  • Kansas How$mart (3)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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