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Program Design & Customer Experience – Develop Implementation Plans

Develop a detailed plan for launching and operating your program that integrates all program components into a process that is customer-friendly and efficient for contractors and other partners.
Handbook

Market Position & Business Model – Develop Evaluation Plans

Develop processes to evaluate your organization’s strengths, weaknesses, and market position on a regular basis.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Develop Evaluation Plans

Determine processes for collecting and sharing data about key contractor metrics and workforce development activities.
Handbook

Market Position & Business Model – Create a Business Plan

Create your organization’s business plan, which describes how your operational and financial structure will support the delivery of energy efficiency services.
Handbook

Financing – Develop Evaluation Plans

Establish an evaluation plan that will allow you to determine how your financing activities are impacting the market.
Handbook

Financing – Develop Implementation Plans

Develop a plan to implement your financing activities, with defined roles for financial institution partners, contractors, customers, and your program.
Handbook

Marketing & Outreach – Develop Evaluation Plans

Develop a plan and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing and outreach strategies.
Handbook

Marketing & Outreach – Develop Implementation Plans

Develop a marketing and outreach plan that details your strategies and tactics, workflows and timelines, staff roles and responsibilities, and budget.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Develop Implementation Plans

Develop contractor engagement, quality assurance, and workforce development plans that include strategies, workflow, timelines, and staff and partner roles and responsibilities.
Handbook

Evaluation & Data Collection – Develop Evaluation Plans

Identify the right questions to ask, appropriate metrics to collect, and the processes needed to initiate third-party impact and process evaluations.
Handbook

Program Design & Customer Experience – Develop Evaluation Plans

Establish metrics and measurement strategies for understanding whether you are effectively achieving your program goals and meeting your customers’ needs, while identifying areas that can be improved.
Handbook

Directly install measures during the assessment

Programs that enabled contractors to install energy saving measures during the home energy assessment were more successful than those that did not. Based on a comprehensive analysis of over 140 programs across the United States, programs that provided direct installation of some low-cost measures...
Tips for Success

Offer customers a range of upgrade paths, including single measures and staging upgrades over time

Programs that offered several paths for customers to upgrade their homes—for example through a choice of single or bundled measures, staged upgrades over time, or a comprehensive whole home upgrade—were found to motivate greater homeowner participation and generate higher energy savings, according...
Tips for Success

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

Consider a diversity of funding and revenue sources and make selections based on local opportunities when planning for long-term program sustainability

In order to craft a sustainable financial model, organizations need to identify long-term sustainable revenue sources. As with the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, grant funding can be a great way to get an effort off the ground; however, grant funding does run out, leaving the need to secure...
Tips for Success

Design a program that provides value for contractors and considers their seasonal business cycles

Many residential energy efficiency programs run into challenges maintaining an appropriately sized, well-trained workforce from program launch through maturity, as well as through the fluctuating demand of the seasons of the year. Some programs found that their contractors preferred a smooth annual...
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

Have clear rules and systems for identifying and remedying contractor problems

Even with the best contractor partners, a program may sometimes encounter difficulties that require remediation. Consistent with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program principles, many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners discovered that they could address these difficulties by...
Tips for Success

Maintain a sufficient workforce from program launch into program maturity

Your program will rely on its contractor base in order to succeed, so take steps to ensure that the capacity of the workforce is sufficient to launch your program and to maintain it as it grows. An evaluation of over 140 programs found that successful programs fostered and maintained relationships...
Tips for Success

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

Establish a clear system and process for ensuring quality work

A residential energy efficiency program’s success is dependent on the quality of work that contractors conduct in customers’ homes. Indeed, an in-depth examination of selected program strategies found that effective quality assurance and quality control programs provided a foundation for quality...
Tips for Success

Provide information to help customers pick the right contractor

Early on, many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners focused on providing customers with a range of contractors to choose from, while providing contractors with access to customers. Customer feedback received by some programs, however, indicated that customers were confused or overwhelmed...
Tips for Success

Recognize and reward good contractor performance

Many programs used the information they gathered through their quality assurance efforts to recognize contractors that deliver consistent, high-quality work. Rewarding good contractor performance can help you build trust, strengthen partnerships, and boost workforce morale. You can incentivize...
Tips for Success

Establish collaborative partnerships with contractors and communicate with them early and often

Contractors are more likely to serve as program champions when the program engages with them throughout program design, delivery, and improvement. Your contractors are the primary contact points with your customers, and the quality of their interactions and services strongly influences how customers...
Tips for Success

Use compatible formats for data sharing and reporting, and work with partners to implement standard data exchange protocols

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that it was critically important to use compatible formats for data sharing and reporting with partners. Aligning data formats and collection plans with national data formats (e.g., Home Performance XML schema (HPXML), Standard Energy...
Tips for Success

Develop data collection and evaluation plans in conjunction with program design

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that it was important to communicate during the program design phase with organizations and individuals that will collect or supply data for the evaluation. In this way, the involved individuals and organizations understand why the data is...
Tips for Success

Establish data sharing relationships as early as possible

Though potentially challenging, establishing relationships for sharing energy consumption data is critical for evaluating program impact on energy and cost savings. Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found success by approaching utilities during the program planning phase, or at...
Tips for Success

Invest in information and communications technology

Paper-based or spreadsheet-based information collection processes can be low cost to develop and easy to roll-out, but more often than not, they become cumbersome to aggregate and store the data from many sources. Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that investing in...
Tips for Success

Measure and evaluate performance at key points in the process

Measuring performance at key points in the upgrade process (e.g., assessments, conversion rates, and financing applications) has helped programs understand where their processes are working smoothly and where they are not. This information has helped them continuously improve their program design...
Tips for Success

Provide adequate time for data system development and testing

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that setting up their information technology (IT) systems early in the program design stage ensured that data terms and data entry procedures were consistently applied by all system users. Reaching agreement with stakeholders (e.g...
Tips for Success

Provide materials and training to ensure data quality, consistency, and accuracy

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that it is important to get buy-in from program staff and contractors on the importance of data integrity to the program mission and then to invest time to develop materials and train everyone who has a role in data collection and analysis...
Tips for Success

Set realistic expectations for launching and scaling up your program

Many program administrators have found that launching and scaling up a program often takes longer than planned for, especially when forming partnerships with contractors and lenders. New energy efficiency programs often need at least 2-3 years to launch and become fully operational. Across programs...
Tips for Success

Aim for early wins that give the program experience and showcase upgrades as a way to attract customers

Several residential energy efficiency programs have successfully launched their efforts by focusing on completing early upgrades that build visibility for their program, create momentum, and allow programs to learn how to reach homeowners effectively. This early success provides results that the...
Tips for Success

Develop partnerships based on an alignment of goals, strong collaboration, and consistent communication

Programs that have developed strong and lasting partnerships have done so by identifying shared goals and seeking ways in which programs and partners can mutually benefit by advancing each other's missions. Even if partners don’t have the same goals as your program, you can still try to find ways to...
Tips for Success

Incentivize the action you want your customer to take

Successful programs know that it is not enough to get customers interested in their services. They know that homeowners that receive assessments but don’t undertake upgrades don’t receive the benefits of energy efficiency—and programs don’t get credit for energy savings. Instead of emphasizing...
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

Keep the program simple for your customers

Given all of the other things that compete for your audience’s attention, it is critical that program participation steps are straightforward and easy to understand. Many programs have found that complexity makes it harder for interested homeowners to complete upgrade projects. These programs have...
Tips for Success

Provide customers with a single point of contact to help them through the upgrade process

While homeowners may be interested in the benefits of an energy upgrade, many are deterred from completing an upgrade project because of the complex and unknown process. Often, a significant portion of homeowners who receive energy assessments do not continue with the upgrades. As part of the Better...
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

Help contractors understand the program’s financing options and benefits, so they can communicate to homeowners

Homeowners do not benefit from access to financing if they don’t know about or understand options available to them. Contractors are often the primary transaction point for selling upgrades, and many programs have found that ongoing collaboration with contractors through sales training, regular...
Tips for Success

Leverage financial sector marketing channels

Lenders can be a valuable partner for programs in marketing loan products and driving demand for home energy upgrades. They are often a trusted source of information in a community, and they have access to potential customers and partners such as existing customers, loan aggregators, and large...
Tips for Success

Conduct one-on-one outreach where people gather and help them take action right away

Programs that conducted one-on-one outreach found that community events provided good opportunities for the program and its partners to connect and build credibility with potential customers. Particularly successful events were ones that attracted the program’s target audience and aligned with their...
Tips for Success

Engage media to garner attention and credibility

Many successful programs found that getting media attention for their offerings and benefits helped add credibility to marketing efforts and expand their reach. By positioning "green" stories or home improvement mini-segments on local television or radio stations, they provided timely content that...
Tips for Success

Foster “word of mouth” communication from satisfied customers

Programs found that encouraging word of mouth outreach by asking satisfied customers to promote their program experience to peers helped attract more homeowners who completed energy upgrades. Referrals from neighbors and friends who are happy with their energy improvements can provide a good source...
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

REEO Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities Webinar

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource,
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves,
ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program,
Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program,
Set the PACE St. Louis,
City of Chicago,
Energy Outreach Colorado,
Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program

This webinar covers the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities for Deep Energy Savings report published in 2016.n

Resource - Webcast

Enhance Your Home Inspection Business with Home Energy Score

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

Using the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) free Home Energy Score, home inspectors can provide a miles-per-gallon type rating to their clients. By offering the rating and accompanying recommendations for efficiency improvements, home inspectors can help clients become eligible for mortgage incentives from FHA.

Resource - Webcast

Valuing Energy Efficiency: Considering Energy Performance in Real Estate Appraisals and Valuation

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

This webinar focused on energy efficiency and sustainability in the appraisal and valuation industries. Colliers International explained how they have adapted their processes to ensure that they realize the full value of energy efficiency and sustainability upgrades. Inspyrod discussed various techniques and data challenges that might be encountered during the valuation process. Sustainable Values provided an introduction and overview to the recently launched Energy Matters! training course that teaches appraisers how to incorporate energy and sustainability metrics into their property valuation.

Resource - Webcast

Better Together: Linking and Leveraging Energy Programs for Low-Income Households

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

This presentation includes a series of case studies to highlight effective efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) to low-income households. It explores the topic of linking and leveraging EE/RE programs for limited-income households, including the need to coordinate with other energy assistance programs.

Resource - Webcast

Lessons Learned and the Better Buildings Residential Program Solution Center

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

Take you on a tour of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Residential Program Solution Center content and functionality and explore how you can use the Solution Center to help design, implement, and evaluate residential energy efficiency programs. Program examples focus on contractor engagement and workforce development. Learn how to support and partner with the workforce who will deliver your program’s energy efficiency services by understanding their capacity, recruiting contractor partners, enabling technical training and business development support, and refining program processes over time.

Resource - Webcast

Bringing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to Low-Income Households

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

This webcast highlights effective efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to low-income households. It explores the topic of linking and leveraging energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for limited-income households, including the need to coordinate with other energy assistance programs. It also presents case studies of organizations that have successfully advanced connections among available programs and funding sources.

Resource - Webcast

Capturing Energy Efficiency in Residential Real Estate Transactions Webcast

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

This webcast covers DOE's new white paper, Capturing Energy Efficiency in Residential Real Estate Transactions, which highlights how residential energy efficiency programs can help make homes' energy efficiency visible to appraisers, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, homebuyers and sellers. The webcast provides examples of programs around the U.S. that are successfully engaging the real estate community and overcoming barriers to valuing energy efficiency in the home resale process.

Resource - Webcast

Briefing on the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Evaluation

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

This presentation describes the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program evaluation findings, including goal and objective attainment, energy and CO2e impacts, program implementation lessons learned, market effects findings, and recommendations.

Resource - Webcast

The Value of Energy Efficiency in the Real Estate Market

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

This webcast discusses the value of energy efficiency in the real estate market.

Resource - Webcast

Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals Project

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
2015

This webinar discusses the guidelines for home energy professionals project. The goal of the project is to collaborate with industry to develop the tools needed for a high-quality residential energy upgrade industry, supported by accredited training programs, and a skilled and credentialed workforce. It also discusses Standard Work Specifications (SWS) which define the minimum requirements for high-quality, safe, and durable installations.

Resource - Webcast

Using Integrated Resource Planning to Encourage Investment in Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency Measures

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2013

This webcast reviews the SEE Action report that describes how utility planning processes that allow demand-side resources to compete with supply-side resources can promote cost-effective energy efficiency.

Resource - Webcast

State, Regional and National Energy Efficiency Forecasting

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2013

This webcast provides approaches for projecting, analyzing and representing end-use energy efficiency potential and its impacts on state, regional and national energy use.

Resource - Webcast

A Field Guide to Utility-Run Behavior Programs: Making Sense of Variety

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Vermont

This webcast covers a report that is a comparative analysis of utility-run behavior programs, which lays the groundwork for further program development by developing a classification scheme, or taxonomy, that sorts programs into discrete categories.

Resource - Webcast

Behavior-Based Energy Efficiency: Behavioral Persistence

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

This webcast explores residential behavior-based energy efficiency programs and provides data to support issues and recommendations.

Resource - Webcast

Overview and Preliminary Results of ARRA-Funded SGIG Consumer Behavior Studies

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

This webcast discusses the background for U.S. Department of Energy’s Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) consumer behavior study effort; the various utilities who are participating and what they each plan to include their respective studies; the quantitative results and qualitative lessons learned thus far from these studies; and the types of research will be undertaken by LBNL over the next several years.

Resource - Webcast

The Role of Behavioral Programs in Portfolios

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

This webcast discusses policy and planning considerations for incorporating behavior programs into efficiency portfolios.

Resource - Webcast

Energy Efficiency Financing Programs: Financing Energy Improvements on Utility Bills

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

This webcast provides a market update and key program design considerations for on-bill financing programs.

Resource - Webcast

Community-Based Social Marketing

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Small Town Energy Program (STEP)

This webcast provides an overview of community-based social marketing and provides examples from programs that have used it.

Resource - Webcast

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program Webinar Series: #3 Residential Energy Efficiency Deep Dive, Part One

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014

This webinar is the third (in a series of six) hosted by USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) and focusing on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP). The first in a two-part series, this webinar shares best practices from the more than 40 competitively selected state and local governments who participated in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, including market position and business model, program design and customer experience, evaluation and data collection, marketing and outreach, financing, and contractor engagement and workforce development.

Resource - Webcast

Financing Energy Improvements on Utility Bills: Case Studies from the Field

Author(s)
Eleni Pelican, U.S. Department of Energy,
Mark Zimring, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Greg Leventis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Merrian Borgeson, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Charles Goldman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Peter Thompson, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Ian Hoffman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Power Smart,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)

This webcast provided an overview of on-bill financing programs, and presented three case studies: Manitoba Hydro, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Pacific Gas & Electric (California).

Resource - Webcast

PowerSaver Loan

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
This webcast provided an overview to the PowerSaver Loan; described the role of financing in home energy efficiency projects and examples of program's experience; introduced how DOE program sponsors and partners can utilize PowerSaver to offer affordable energy efficiency loans to homeowners; and discussed options, strategies and next steps for interested programs to partner with participating PowerSaver lender(s).
Resource - Webcast

Loan Loss Reserves: Lessons from the Field

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2010

This webcast highlights lessons learned from programs that have used loan loss reserve funds.

Resource - Webcast

Revolving Loan Funds: An Introduction

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2009
This webcast provides an introduction to revolving loans funds, highlighting basics and best practices.
Resource - Webcast

Tools for Designing & Implementing Better Finance Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Rather than selecting from two or three fixed models, a successful clean energy finance program will require a sponsor to make a number of design decisions, based on resources available and the needs of the community served. This webinar outlines these key areas for consideration (including potential program sponsors, institutional structure, and potential sources of program revenue) and examples of how organizations across the country have blended design decisions into successful programs.
Resource - Webcast

Clean Energy Program Funding: EPA Local Climate and Webcast Series

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Green Works Orlando,
Community Energy Challenge,
Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL)

Three-part webinar series. Part I discusses how to design and implement funding programs, line up partners, and gain support for clean energy programs through both conventional and non-conventional methods. Part II discusses how to locate available sources of funding. Part III explains how to leverage existing funds and make clean energy investments more affordable for clean energy program audiences.

Resource - Webcast

Part III: Keeping it Going: Financing Options for your Clean Energy Programs

Author(s)
Neelam Patel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Pat McGuckin, The Cadmus Group, Inc.,
Niko Dietsch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Keith Canfield, Clinton Climate Initiative,
James Christensen and Yvette Rincon, City of Sacramento, California
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL)
This webcast (Part III of a three-part series) covers how to choose and implement financing options that meet local needs.
Resource - Webcast

Part I: Getting Started: Answering Big Picture Funding Questions

Author(s)
Neelam Patel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Pat McGuckin, The Cadmus Group, Inc.,
Richard Dooley, Arlington County, Virginia,
Shawn Collins, Opportunity Council,
Alex Ramel, Sustainable Connections
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Community Energy Challenge,
Green Works Orlando

This webcast (Part I of a three-part series) covers the big picture questions that local governments should consider for funding clean energy programs. What resources are available? What are the program priorities? How can these programs pay for themselves? What funding is available? The webinar guides local governments through these and other questions in the context of their own unique circumstances and illustrates the concepts through case studies that explore how local governments have used both conventional and unconventional methods to gain support, line up partners, and design and implement their funding programs.

Resource - Webcast

Part II: Getting it Funded: Finding Funding for your Clean Energy Programs

Author(s)
Neelam Patel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Pat McGuckin, The Cadmus Group, Inc.,
Marvin Lee, School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Nate Boyd, City of Orlando, Florida
Publication Date
2012

This webcast (Part II of a three-part series) discusses how climate and clean energy programs can find funding.

Resource - Webcast

Financing Programs: RFP & Contract Terms and Conditions

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
SustainableWorks,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton,
Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2),
City of San Diego Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program

This webcast discusses financing program RFPs and contract terms and conditions.

Resource - Webcast

Revolving Loan Fund Basics and Best Practices

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2009
Organizations or Programs
Texas LoanSTAR,
Montana Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program
This webcast featured four presentations providing examples and best practices for revolving loan funds.
Resource - Webcast

Furthering Your Local Governments' Energy Efficiency Goals: Part 1 - Getting Support From Local Leaders

Author(s)
Chuck Clinton, National Association of State Energy Officials,
Jay Fisette, Arlington County, Virginia,
Michael Yambrach, Washington, D.C.,
Kaci Radcliffe, Skagit County, Washington,
Jennifer Clymer, ICF International
Publication Date
2011

This webcast shares useful and effective strategies for getting local leaders to support local government's energy efficiency goals.

Resource - Webcast

Marketing & Outreach: Working with and Learning from Contractors

Author(s)
Karen Villeneuve, NYSERDA,
Peter Krajsa, AFC First Financial Corporation,
Michael Rogers, GreenHomes America,
Matt Golden, Recurve
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Connecticut Solar Lease,
Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund,
Kentucky Home Performance,
AFC First's EnergyLoan Program

This webcast highlights programs that actively engage the contractor community in program design and implementation. Several contractors share their views on best practices for Marketing & Outreach.

Resource - Webcast

Workforce Development and Sales Training for Energy Efficiency Contractors

Author(s)
Elizabeth Stuart, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
Efficiency Vermont
This webcast reports on the energy efficiency services sector workforce size, expectations for growth, and training needs and features a case studies from Efficiency Vermont and Efficiency Maine.
Resource - Webcast

Keeping Up With Your Audience, So They Keep Up With Your Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) PowerSaver
This webcast discussed how market research can help spur demand for home energy efficiency programs.
Resource - Webcast

Leveraging Partnerships with Faith-Based Organizations

Author(s)
Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith,
Paul C. Raver, Jr., Green Market Solutions,
Alexis Chase, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light's Power Wise,
GreenFaith,
Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program
This webcast explores how faith-based organizations and their partners have used energy efficiency as an organizing motivator to upgrade the institutional building and then members' homes.
Resource - Webcast

EM&V Basics, Tools and Resources to Assist EECBG and SEP Grantees

Author(s)
Julie Michals, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.,
Phil Sieper, The Cadmus Group, Inc.,
Mark Stetz, Stetz Consulting
Publication Date
2010

This webinar offers an introduction to EM&V basics, including data collection, tracking tools, M&V approaches, and reporting energy savings.

Resource - Webcast

Exploring Opportunities for Energy Efficiency as a Revenue Stream in the Forward Capacity Markets

Author(s)
Terri Esterly, PJM Capacity Market Operations,
Doug Hurley, Synapse Energy Economics Inc.
Publication Date
2012
Webcast on utility forward capacity markets and how energy efficiency programs may access these markets as a potential source of revenues.
Resource - Webcast

Finance Planning

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves
This webcast discussed the broad spectrum of needs financing mechanisms must address within integrated energy efficiency programs.
Resource - Webcast

Residential Retrofit Program Design Guide Overview

Author(s)
Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group,
Andy Meyer, Efficiency Maine,
Nikki Kuhn, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

Webcast on the DOE Residential Retrofit Program Design Guide, which focuses on the key elements and design characteristics of building and maintaining a successful residential upgrade program.

Resource - Webcast

Concierge Programs for Contractors - They're Not Just for Consumers Anymore

Author(s)
Jonathan Cohen, U.S. Department of Energy,
Ryan Clemmer, Clean Energy Works Oregon (now Enhabit),
Melanie Paskevich, NeighborWorks,
Jay Karwoski, ICF International
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad

This webcast includes slides and information on programs' use of concierge programs to support contractors. It highlights two program examples: Clean Energy Works Oregon (now Enhabit) and Vermont NeighborWorks.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Using Social Media to Promote Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2011

This ENERGY STAR presentation provides an overview of the power of social media to promote energy efficiency with programmatic examples offered by expert presenters.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Better Together: Linking and Leveraging Energy Programs for Low-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energy Outreach Colorado,
DTE Energy

This 90-minute webinar explored the topic of linking and leveraging energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) programs for limited-income households, including the need to coordinate with other energy assistance programs. It presented case studies of organizations that have successfully advanced connections among available programs and funding sources.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Beyond the Light Touch: Next Steps for Improving Energy Efficiency in Multi-Family Affordable Housing

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2016

This is the second webinar in a multi-part series highlighting efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) to low-income communities. This 90-minute webinar explored the specific challenges and opportunities faced by programs that aim to improve energy efficiency in multifamily affordable housing, with an emphasis on achieving multiple benefits through deeper retrofits.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Building More Knowledge About Whole Building EM&V

Author(s)
Tim Guiterman, EnergySavvy,
Sarah Zaleski, U.S. Department of Energy,
Ethan Goldman, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation,
Diane Duva, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection,
Bill Norton, Opinion Dynamics
Publication Date
2017

This presentation covers the current pilot project testing M&V2.0 as an evaluation tool facilitated by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).  Speakers on this panel presented examples of how whole building modeling is currently being used for M&V now and its potential future applications. Speakers also discussed benchmarking, data access and other protocols, and how experience with efficiency programs teach us so we can build upon the current experience.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Free Money and Where to Find It: Today's Hottest Sources for Multifamily Retrofits

Author(s)
Becky Schaaf, Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future,
Dick Santangelo, Apollo Engineering Solutions,
Stefen Samarripas, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2017

This presentation provides an overview of ACEEE's nationwide study of utility provider incentives for the multifamily buildings sector, as well as a broad overview of other sources of funds for energy and water conservation. This session covered the latest news regarding state energy programs, local green banks, weatherization funds, tax credits, and more.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Next Steps for Improving Energy Efficiency in Multi-Family Affordable Housing

Author(s)
National Housing Trust
Publication Date
2016

This presentation highlights the work and resources of the Energy Efficiency For All (EEFA) project and its mission to make multifamily homes healthy and affordable through energy efficiency. The families and individuals most in need of affordable housing are also most affected by high energy costs. Low-income families spend up to 20 percent of their income on energy. Efficiency investments in multifamily affordable housing mean energy savings, lower energy bills, more stable rental payments, reduced pollution, and a better quality of life for residents.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Efficiency at the Meter Using AMI data to unlock new value in EE

Author(s)
Noah Proser, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)

This presentation describes how PG&E is using advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to enhance their advanced home upgrade whole-house retrofit program, on-bill financing, and residential pay for performance (P4P) program.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Emerging Trends in Public-Private Financing Programs: Lessons Learned for PACE, On-Bill and Credit Enhancements

Author(s)
Kevin Moyer, Toledo Port Authority,
Ben Taube, Ygrene Energy Fund,
Greg Leventis,,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings Northwest Ohio

This presentation covers lesson learned for PACE from the Toledo Port Authority, innovative real estate finance solutions from the Ygrene Energy Fund, and financing energy improvements on utility bills.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Energy Efficiency Financing for Low and Moderate-Income Households

Author(s)
Greg Leventis,,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2017

This presentation provides an overview of energy efficiency financing for low- and moderate-income households, including a sector overview, consumer protections, financing products, and lessons learned.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Scaling Up Clean Energy Programs to the Next Level for Low and Moderate Income

Author(s)
Diana Duva, State of Connecticut,
Benjamin Healey, Connecticut Green Bank,
Joe Pereira, State of Colorado,
Jennifer Gremmert, Energy Outreach Colorado,
Michael DiRamio, U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energize Connecticut,
Energy Outreach California,
Energy Outreach Colorado

In this presentation, state and nonprofit leaders in Colorado and Connecticut discuss their policy and program efforts to offer rooftop and community solar and weatherization services and how they are scaling their programs to meet the needs of the underserved income-eligible market.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Multifamily Smart Tech, Health, and Utility Data - A Joint Call With NEWHAB and the DOE Better Buildings Residential Network

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call summary focused on leveraging smart tech, health and/or utility data to increase participation in multifamily energy efficiency programs. It featured speakers from The Network for Energy, Water and Health in
Affordable Buildings, New Ecology, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, and Emerald Cities Collaborative.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Effecting Behavior Change: Energy Report Data Usage

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on home energy reports to inform homeowners about their home energy use and use of customer research and segmentation to improve the results from these reports. Speakers include Opinion Dynamics and Pacific Gas & Electric.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Master Key: Unlocking Innovative Approaches to Program Design

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on behavior change program design and design thinking to increase program reach. It features speakers from See Change Institute, Efficiency Vermont, and Navitas Partners, Inc.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Making an Impact: Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on unique challenges for energy efficiency and weatherization programs serving lower income residents in single-family and multifamily housing. Speakers include American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Elevate Energy, and Energy Outreach Colorado.

Resource - Topical Presentations

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  • NOLA WISE (3)
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  • Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) (3)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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