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Adapt your business model to fit your external environment

To develop a successful business model, Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found it critical to have a strong understanding of the external environment within which they operated. This included who their customers were, who their competitors and partners were, what key policies governed...
Tips for Success

Leverage the many complementary benefits of energy efficiency programs to broaden your organization’s reach and partnership opportunities

Home energy assessments and upgrades can offer more than just energy savings benefits. They can make homes safer, enhance home value, and reduce health risks for residents. Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that emphasizing the full range of benefits that upgrades offered helped...
Tips for Success

Connect home performance professionals to trainings focused on the skills that employers want and the community needs

Effective home performance contractors require many types of skills and expertise. To help individuals develop those skills, programs can target training on the specific topics and skills needed for successful home performance work. Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that they...
Tips for Success

Make sure there are enough customers in your target market to meet your goals and attract partners

Many programs that focused on a specific neighborhood or other small geographic areas have found it difficult to generate enough customer interest, partner interest, and upgrade activity to meet program goals. Regional or statewide approaches are often more attractive to contractors, lenders...
Tips for Success

Recognize customers who make improvements

Some programs provide customers with a “certificate of completion” to recognize and reward homeowners’ accomplishment in completing an upgrade. Visible awards or affirmation, such as yard signs, window stickers, or favorable comparisons to neighbors can motivate homeowners to undertake upgrades...
Tips for Success

Hire staff with financing skills and knowledge

Financing can be a complicated topic for programs, and having staff with financing knowledge and expertise can be very valuable. Financing program administration involves working with lenders and understanding how they operate as well as understanding financial regulatory issues and loan product...
Tips for Success

Engage with potential lending partners early, and make a clear business case for their involvement

Some lenders perceive home energy lending to be too risky or not profitable enough for them to get involved. Programs have found that engaging potential lending partners early in the program design process, especially in face-to-face meetings, helped them understand both lender needs and the risks...
Tips for Success

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program Webinar Series: #6 Solar

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015

This webinar is the sixth (in a series of six) hosted by USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) and focusing on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP). This webinar provides an overview of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Opportunities and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program. It features the New Hampshire Electric Co-op's Solar PV Program and SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership (SolarOPs). SolarOPs is a U.S. Department of Energy program designed to increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the US.

Resource - Webcast

Valuing Non-Energy Impacts Examples from Rhode Island, and Other Relevant Resources

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2017

This presentation describes the value of energy efficiency and non-energy impacts on cost effectiveness at the state level. It includes an example from Rhode Island and was presented before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.

Resource - Topical Presentations

He Said She Said: The Power of Messaging (101)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on messaging strategies to capture the benefits of home upgrades and attract new customers to home performance.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Fostering Behavior Change in the Energy Efficiency Market

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Eversource Energy Home Energy Reports program,
National Grid Home Energy Reports program

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on fostering behavior change in the energy efficiency market.

Resource - Topical Presentations

NEEP Regional Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Forum

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2017

The Regional Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Forum (EM&V Forum) works to support use and transparency of current best practices in evaluation, measurement, verification, and reporting of energy and demand savings, costs, avoided emissions and other impacts of energy efficiency, while also advancing the development of strategies and tools to meet evolving policy needs for efficiency.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED): A New Source of Energy Efficiency Data and Resources

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2011

REED serves as a dashboard for the consistent reporting of electric and natural gas energy efficiency program energy and demand savings and associated costs, avoided emissions and job impacts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. REED is a project of NEEP's Regional Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Forum (EM&V Forum) and is based on the EM&V Forum's Common Statewide Energy Efficiency Reporting Guidelines.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

ResStock State Fact Sheets

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
2017

Each ResStock fact sheet presents the potential for residential energy and utility bill savings for the state. The top ten energy savings home improvements are highlighted.

Resource - Publications

Enhancing State Energy Efficiency Efforts Through Information and Outreach to Consumers

Author(s)
National Governors Association
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
TakeCharge! Challenge,
Enhabit,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Many states have adopted policies intended to overcome the barriers that limit the more efficient use of electricity. Yet because such efforts have not addressed the lack of consumer information and motivation to improve efficiency, many opportunities for energy efficiency remain untapped. To help address that problem, states, utilities, and other energy efficiency service providers have begun to develop new approaches to informing and motivating customers based on behavioral economics and psychology research. This report describes three broad strategies that states can use to engage consumers' participation in energy efficiency programs: provide direct consumer information and feedback on energy use, influence social norms; and match messages and messengers to target audiences. Recommendations for actions that governors can take within the context of each of those three strategies are provided.

Resource - Publications

The Smart Energy Home: Strategies to Transform the Region

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Vermont

Home energy management systems (HEMS) continue to present a unique opportunity and challenge. While energy savings have been documented for many HEMS, some of the most promising opportunities from these devices and systems can be found in the internet of things (IoT) and smart home technologies. This report presents market updates, a regional goal, and strategies to drive market transformation and achieve the many benefits from HEMS and the Smart Energy Home.

Resource - Publications

Financing Energy Efficiency Retrofits of Affordable Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Watt Watchers,
Neighborhood Energy,
Energy Savers,
Ratepayer Inte-grated On-Bill Payment Program,
I'M HOME initiative,
Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability,
Residential Multifamily Housing Program

There are more than 17 million multifamily households nationwide, yet they remain a significant and mostly untapped opportunity for energy efficiency gains. Many cities and states that have embraced energy retrofitting as a job creator and boon to both the environment and economy have yet to address potential savings in multifamily properties, primarily because of obstacles not faced by single family and commercial properties. This paper discusses two barriers -- a lack of information and financing -- that stand in the way of multifamily energy retrofits.

Resource - Publications

More Savings for More Residents: Progress in Multifamily Housing Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2017

This report updates ACEEE's 2013 assessment of multifamily energy efficiency programs in US metropolitan areas with the most multifamily households. Using housing, policy, and utility-sector data from 2014 and 2015, this report documents how these programs have changed in the context of dynamic housing markets and statewide policy environments. The report also offers an analysis of the number, spending, offerings, and targeted participants of current programs and their potential for further expansion.

Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Jobs in America

Author(s)
E4TheFuture,
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
Publication Date
2016

The report, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and a survey of tens of thousands of businesses across the country, provides detailed breakdowns of clean energy jobs not available previously, and it was developed and released in connection with a major U.S. Department of Energy study of all energy jobs in America.

Resource - Publications

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Air-Source Heat Pump Market Transformation Strategies Report

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

Residential air-source heat pumps (ASHP) are a heating and air-conditioning technology that use electricity to provide a combination of space heating and cooling to homes. A new generation of ASHPs has come to market over the past five years. This report evaluates the key market barriers as well as potential opportunities to leverage. Based on an assessment of the regional ASHP market, it is clear that while ASHPs have established a viable and growing market, there remains a significant opportunity to further accelerate adoption of the technology and in the process achieve energy and cost savings to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.

Resource - Publications

Putting Your Money Where Your Meter Is: A study of pay for performance energy efficiency programs in the United States

Author(s)
Natural Resources Defense Council
Publication Date
2017

This report examines the history of pay-for-performance (P4P) energy efficiency approaches. As the report describes, there is a diverse spectrum of pay-for-performance programs but, at the most basic level, these programs track and reward energy savings as they occur, usually by examining data from a building's energy meters -- as opposed to the more common approach of estimating savings in advance of installation and offering upfront rebates or incentives in a lump-sum payment. The report finds that P4P has some important opportunities for increasing energy savings, but also key limitations that will need to be better understood through piloting and experimentation.

Resource - Publications

Current Practices in Efficiency Financing: An Overview for State and Local Governments

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
Kansas How$mart,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Michigan Saves,
Texas LoanSTAR,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
Nebraska Dollar and Energy Savings Program

This report is a guide to all customer-facing financing products—products offered by a lender directly to a borrower—used to pay for energy efficiency. Intended for state and local governments that are deciding whether to start a new program, tune up and existing program, or create a Green Bank, it provides information on the full range of financing product options for target participants, the tradeoffs of various products, and potential advantages and disadvantages for different types of customers.

Resource - Publications

Behaving Ourselves: How Behavior Change Insights Are Being Applied to Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
Kira Ashby, Consortium for Energy Efficiency,
Monica Nevius, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority,
Bruce Ceniceros, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Pepco Holdings' Home Performance with Energy Audits Program,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Public Service of New Hampshire,
PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program,
FortisBC’s 20/20 Challenge Program,
Focus on Energy

This paper describes a wide variety of behavior change insights potentially applicable to the energy efficiency program context, provides examples of efficiency programs that have applied these insights, and explores some untapped opportunities to achieve energy savings through behavior change.

Resource - Publications

The State of the Market: A Residential Lighting Brief

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

NEEP has been tracking the residential lighting market for several years and has provided analysis in many reports. As the transformation of this complex market gains traction, we find the conversation and need for new information narrowing to one key topic: LEDs. While CFLs continue to play a role in residences and amongst Northeast and Mid-Atlantic program administrators, the LED has transitioned into the starring role of the residential lighting show.

Resource - Publications

Regional Roundup of Energy Efficiency Policy

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

The Regional Roundup of Energy Efficiency Policy is intended to give policymakers, regulators, efficiency proponents, program administrators and other stakeholders a comparative view of the progress of energy efficiency policies and programs across the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. Along with state-level highlights, the report examines regional trends and shared challenges in harnessing the potential of energy efficiency to meet today’s pressing energy and environmental challenges.

Resource - Publications

Saving Energy Improves Americans' Health and the Environment

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016

Energy efficiency is good for you--and for the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the community in which you live. This fact sheet shows how saving energy reduces air and water pollution and conserves natural resources, which in turn creates a healthier living environment for people everywhere. It includes the stories of a family in Pennsylvania and a hospital in Florida.

Resource - Publications

A Policymaker’s Guide to Scaling Home Energy Upgrades

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Enhabit,
Mass Save,
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA),
Manitoba Hydro,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
Michigan Saves,
Warehouse for Energy Efficiency Loans,
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Vermot,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star,
Build It Green,
Earth Advantage,
Elevate Energy,
Arizona Public Service (APS),
Pacific Gas and Electric Company,
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad

This Guide is designed to help state and local policymakers to take full advantage of new policy developments by providing them with a comprehensive set of tools to support launching or accelerating residential energy efficiency programs. The Guide focuses on four categories of policies that have proven particularly effective in providing a framework within which residential energy efficiency programs can thrive: incentives and financing, making the value of energy efficiency visible in the real estate market, data access and standardization, and supporting utility system procurement of energy efficiency.

Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Collaboratives: Driving Ratepayer-Funded Efficiency through Regulatory Policies Working Group

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2015

Energy efficiency collaboratives vary greatly and are typically designed for a specific jurisdiction, making them hard to compare side by side. This guide seeks to highlight a few common elements and draw conclusions on the overall effectiveness of specific characteristics of collaboratives. This guide defines and examines four different types of collaboratives in terms of their origin, scope, decision-making method, membership, duration, available resources, and how they interact with and influence their respective commissions.

Resource - Publications

Energy and Environment Guide to Action: State Policies and Best Practices for Advancing Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Combined Heat and Power

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2015

The Guide to Action provides in-depth information about over a dozen policies and programs that states are using to meet their energy, environmental, and economic objectives with energy efficiency, renewable energy, and combined heat and power. Each policy description is based on states’ experiences in designing and implementing policies, as documented in existing literature and shared through peer-exchange opportunities provided to states by EPA’s State Climate and Energy Program.

Resource - Publications

A Changing Landscape: The Regional Roundup of Energy Efficiency Policy in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2015

This report represents NEEP’s annual assessment of the major policy developments of 2014, as well as its look into the immediate future, where NEEP gauge states’ progress toward capturing cost-effective energy efficiency as a first-order resource. While looking at the region as a whole, NEEP also provides summary and analysis of some of the biggest building energy efficiency successes and setbacks from Maine to Maryland — including significant energy efficiency legislation and regulations and changes in funding levels for energy efficiency programs.

Resource - Publications

Discussion of Consumer Perspectives on Regulation of Energy Efficiency Investments

Author(s)
National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency
Publication Date
2009

This report considers consumers' perspectives on policy and regulatory issues associated with the administration of energy efficiency investments funded by ratepayers of electric and natural gas utilities.

Resource - Publications

Financing Energy Improvements on Utility Bills: Market Updates and Key Program Design Considerations for Policymakers and Administrators

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2014

This report provides an overview of the current state of on-bill programs and provides actionable insights on key program design considerations for on-bill lending programs.

Resource - Publications

Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011

This report provides state and local policymakers with information on successful approaches to the design and implementation of residential efficiency programs for households ineligible for low-income programs.

Resource - Publications

Eversource New Hampshire Home Energy Report Pilot Program Evaluation

Author(s)
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Eversource

This report includes evaluation analysis and findings from the Eversource New Hampshire Home Energy Report pilot program.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Six-Year Evaluation Plan for Core Energy Efficiency Programs: Final Report

Author(s)
TecMarket Works
Publication Date
2014

This evaluation plan for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission includes a market assessment framework which includes indicators of progress toward market transformation; evaluation recommendations for the 2015-2016 program implementation period; and a 6-year evaluation plan for each program or customer sector.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Southeast Consortium Process Evaluation - Phase 1

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This report presents the phase 1 process evaluation conducted of the 13 programs in the Southeast Consortium Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP).

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Southeast Consortium Process Evaluation-Phase 2

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This report presents the phase 2 process evaluation conducted of the 13 programs in the Southeast Consortium Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP).

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Southeast Consortium Impact Evaluation

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This report presents the impact evaluation conducted of the 13 programs in the Southeast Consortium Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP).

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Case Studies for Better Buildings New Hampshire

Author(s)
New Hampshire Better Buildings Program
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
New Hampshire Better Buildings Program
Collection of case studies from New Hampshire that highlight successful energy efficiency upgrades.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (32)
  • Tips for Success (7)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (12)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (21)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (8)
  • Marketing & Outreach (8)
  • Financing (8)
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Program Design Phases

  • Overview (3)
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  • Alabama (19)
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Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (4)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (4)
  • Austin Energy (3)
  • Beacon Communities Project (3)
  • Michigan Saves (3)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (3)
  • Community Power Works (2)
  • Eversource (2)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (2)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (2)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (1)
  • Be SMART (1)
  • Build It Green (1)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (1)
  • Earth Advantage (1)
  • Efficiency Vermont (1)
  • Efficiency Vermot (1)
  • Elevate Energy (1)
  • Energize Phoenix (1)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (1)
  • Energy Savers (1)
  • EnergySmart (1)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (1)
  • Energy Upgrade California (1)
  • EnergyWorks KC (1)
  • Eversource Energy Home Energy Reports program (1)
  • Focus on Energy (1)
  • FortisBC’s 20/20 Challenge Program (1)
  • I'M HOME initiative (1)
  • Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star (1)
  • Kansas How$mart (1)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (1)
  • Manitoba Hydro (1)
  • Mass Save (1)
  • Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (1)
  • National Grid Home Energy Reports program (1)
  • Nebraska Dollar and Energy Savings Program (1)
  • Neighborhood Energy (1)
  • New Hampshire Better Buildings Program (1)
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (1)
  • Pepco Holdings' Home Performance with Energy Audits Program (1)
  • PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program (1)
  • Public Service of New Hampshire (1)
  • Ratepayer Inte-grated On-Bill Payment Program (1)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (1)
  • Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) (1)
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) (1)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (1)
  • Warehouse for Energy Efficiency Loans (1)
  • Watt Watchers (1)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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