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Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Assess & Improve Processes

Monitor the effectiveness of contractor and workforce development efforts, motivate improvement, address low performers, and adapt on a regular basis.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Deliver Program

Implement contractor coordination and workforce recruitment and training in concert with other program components
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Develop Resources

Develop workforce and contractor engagement procedures, forms, and materials
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Communicate Impacts

Communicate program results to contractor partners and workforce development stakeholders.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Develop Evaluation Plans

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

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Assess the Market

Learn about the capabilities and services of existing contractors and training providers working in your market.
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

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Make Design Decisions

Solidify your program strategy and decide which customers you will focus on; what products, services, and support you will provide; and how you will partner with contractors and others to deliver services to your customers.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Identify Partners

Establish relationships with contractors who will deliver program products and services, and with organizations that train and certify workers.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Set Goals & Objectives

Establish objectives, targets, and timeframes for your program to support local contractors and the type and quality of service they provide to help meet your program’s goals.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Overview

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, fostering clear communication, and refining program processes over time, in partnership with your workforce.
Handbook

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

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

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

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

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

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program Webinar Series: #4 Residential Energy Efficiency Deep Dive, Part Two

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

This webinar is the fourth (in a series of six) hosted by USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) and focusing on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP). The second 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. This webinar focuses on data collection and continuous improvement, partnering with financial institutions, community-based outreach, and quality assurance of contractor work. It also features a case study from Jackson Electric Member Corporation about their audit tools, rebates and loans, tracking and reporting, and marketing and advertising strategies.

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 - 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

Training: How to get Results - What Matters, What Doesn't

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
New Mexico Energy$mart,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Community Power Works

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on strategies for contractor training.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Keys to Successful Quality Assurance and Quality Control Programs (101)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energize Connecticut,
Michigan Saves

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on quality assurance of energy efficiency services.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Strengthening the Front Lines: Sales Training and Continuing Education for Contractors

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Build It Green

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focuses on how mentoring on sales skills and business management helped one contractor increase sales and become more profitable. The call also covered top tips for supporting contractors, such as helping contractors develop systems to be more efficient in completing projects and creating a service plan with customers for additional improvements in the future.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Contractor Sales Training

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks,
Efficiency Maine,
BetterBuildings for Michigan

This peer exchange call summary focused on sales training assistance programs for contractors.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Listening to Your Workforce: Lessons from Pilot Programs and Other Approaches For Workforce Feedback

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Long Island Green Homes

This peer exchange call summary focused on creating a dialogue between contractors, trainers and jobseekers about program design/implementation and results of workforce feedback.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Quality Control, Standardization of Upgrades, and Workforce Expectations

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Community Energy Challenge,
Community Power Works

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on quality assurance and control, standardization of upgrades and workforce expectations.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Energy Advising Services in the Post-ARRA World

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on energy advising and concierge services without American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Working With Municipal Utilities

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on working with smaller municipal and publicly owned facilities.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Contractor Pricing

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

This peer exchange call summary focused on the relationship between contract pricing and customers.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Home Energy Assessments

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2010
This video provides an overview of what's involved in home energy assessments
Resource - Topical Presentations

Contractor Outreach: Design & Implementation for Residential Retrofit Programs

Author(s)
Jared Asch, Efficiency First
Publication Date
2011

This presentation describes strategies for outreach to energy contractors and auditors, including contractor incentives.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Five Steps to a Profitable Contractor Base

Author(s)
Courtney Moriarta, SRA International, Inc.,
Emily Levin, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation,
Tiger Adolf, Building Performance Institute,
Brad Geyer, Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative,
Sammy Chu, Suffolk County Department of Labor,
Sam Flanery, Building Science Academy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Vermont,
Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Presentation on five steps to building a profitable contractor base. The steps include sensible program design and administration, certification and credentialing, communicating with contractors, contractor requirements (business vs. trade), and training and sales support.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Data Driven Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Author(s)
Patrick Roche, Conservation Services Group
Publication Date
2012

Presentation describing how Conservation Services Group uses data to monitor market transformation and for internal QA/QC purposes.

Resource - Topical Presentations

National Housing & Rehabilitation Association Content Library

Author(s)
National Housing & Rehabilitation Association
Publication Date
2016

National Housing & Rehabilitation Association has collected a number of energy efficiency factsheets and resources on their Preservation Through Energy Efficiency Initiative Library.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

My ENERGY STAR Tutorial

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
2011

This document provides a tutorial of MY ENERGY STAR Account (MESA).  MESA is a Web portal that houses program marks for ENERGY STAR Sponsors and contractors as well as various marketing pieces.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Green for All Energy Efficiency Toolkit

Author(s)
Green For All
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC),
EnergyWorks KC,
Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge,
BetterBuildings for Greensboro,
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative,
Working Partnerships USA,
NYC Apollo Alliance,
Community Power Works,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
RePower Bremerton,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
RePower Bainbridge,
Better Buildings Near Eastside Neighborhood Sweeps Program,
RePower Kitsap,
Michigan Saves,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
EnergySmart,
Efficiency Vermont,
Long Island Green Homes,
Energy Impact Illinois,
Energize Bedford,
reEnergize

This practitioner-focused Toolkit for Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrade Programs was created by Green For All to assist new, established, and future energy efficiency programs launch and scale initiatives that can deliver the full promise of the green economy. It is intended as a practical resource that offers examples, tools, and templates that a program manager can deploy to implement a variety of aspects of their program including best practice briefs and summary documents, RFPs, contracts, and other program design and implementation templates that communities nationwide have used to create their own efficiency programs.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Small Town Energy Program (STEP) Toolkit

Author(s)
Small Town Energy Program
Publication Date
2013

The Small Town Energy Program (STEP) toolkit gives a complete overview of STEP from planning to implementation. It also includes access to a wide variety of materials developed by the program, including: local asset materials, partner materials, personnel materials, program administrative materials, outreach materials, and surveys. STEP has posted these toolkit documents with the hope that it will assist other small towns and communities in building and running more energy efficiency programs.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Better Building Residential Program Implementation Plan Template (Excel Version)

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

The Better Building Residential Program Implementation Plan Template will help you develop a strategy for planning, operating, and evaluating a successful residential energy efficiency program. The template includes sections for all six program components (i.e., Market Position & Business Model, Program Design & Customer Experience, Evaluation & Data Collection, Marketing & Outreach, Financing, and Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development).

Resource - Templates & Forms

Better Building Residential Program Implementation Plan Template (Word Version)

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

The Better Building Residential Program Implementation Plan Template will help you develop a strategy for planning, operating, and evaluating a successful residential energy efficiency program. The template includes sections for all six program components (i.e., Market Position & Business Model, Program Design & Customer Experience, Evaluation & Data Collection, Marketing & Outreach, Financing, and Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development).

Resource - Templates & Forms

Efficiency Maine Downloads and Forms Portal

Author(s)
Efficiency Maine
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

Efficiency Maine developed this online portal, where many of its program forms are available for download (e.g., program overviews and manuals, participation agreements, and related application materials).

Resource - Templates & Forms

Energy Impact Illinois Reporting Packet for Whole Home Projects

Author(s)
Energy Impact Illinois
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Energy Impact Illinois
This packet contains all the contractor reporting and verification forms required by Energy Impact Illinois.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Program Evaluation Topics & Questions Library for Program Participants

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
This document provides a menu of initial questions for a program administrator or implementer to build on and use in developing a real-time evaluation survey to collect qualitative data from program participants.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum

Author(s)
Appraisal Institute
Publication Date
2013
Form for appraisers intended to help analyze values of energy efficient home features.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Program Evaluation Topics & Questions Library for Contractors

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011

This document provides a menu of initial questions for a program administrator or implementer to build on and use in developing a real-time evaluation survey to collect qualitative data from contractors.

Resource - Templates & Forms

Example Phone Survey for Drop-Outs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011

This sample phone survey template for program drop-outs, created by the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, was designed for programs to find out why applicants that applied to participate in a program ultimately dropped out.

Resource - Templates & Forms

Example Phone Survey for Screened-out Applicants

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011

This sample phone survey template, created by the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, was designed for programs to use with applicants who have been screened out from participating in a program.

Resource - Templates & Forms

Example Survey for Successful Participants

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011

This sample email survey template, created by the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, was designed for programs to develop their own survey of successful program participants in order to assess customer experience.

Resource - Templates & Forms

Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No. 10

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

This document features lessons learned shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members during Peer Exchange Calls held during Autumn 2016.

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

Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No. 6

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Bridging the Gap,
Nexus Energy Center,
Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover

This document features lessons learned shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members during Peer Exchange Calls held during Fall 2015.

Resource - Publications

Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No. 7

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Bridging the Gap,
Nexus Energy Center,
Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover

This document features lessons learned shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members during Peer Exchange Calls held in Winter 2016.

Resource - Publications

Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No. 8

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

This document features lessons learned shared by Better Buidlings Residential Network members during Peer Exchange Calls held during Spring 2016.

Resource - Publications

Peer Diffusion: A Promising Way for Service Providers to Unlock Investments in Home Energy Upgrades

Author(s)
Rocky Mountain Institute,
Building Performance Institute
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Impact Illinois,
Renovate America’s HERO program

This report, informed by leading research and real-world examples, highlights practical online and in-person tactics that contractors can use to promote social interaction and social comparison among homeowners to make energy upgrades a "must-have" in U.S. homes.

Resource - Publications

Opportunities for Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) in Advancing Residential Energy Efficiency Programs

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

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the potential for HEMS as an evolving avenue to deeper residential energy savings, and it explains, in detail, the variations and characteristics of HEMS; what the market is and who the major market players are; what the major barriers to implementation look like; and finally, it attempts to outline potential program solutions with HEMS at the core of the strategy.

Resource - Publications

Verifying Energy Efficiency Job Creation: Current Practices and Recommendations

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA),
Energy Right Solutions for Buisness,
Energy Right Solutions for Industry,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
National Grid Energy Efficiency Program,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs,
Enhabit,
District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility,
BC Hydro,
Ontario Power Authority Industrial Accelerator Program,
Elevate Energy

Among the many benefits ascribed to energy efficiency is the fact that it can help create jobs. Although this is often used to motivate investments in efficiency programs, verifying job creation benefits is more complicated than it might seem at first. This paper identifies some of the issues that contribute to a lack of consistency in attempts to verify efficiency-related job creation. It then proposes an analytically rigorous and tractable framework for program evaluators to use in future assessments.

Resource - Publications

Building America Building Science Translator

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

The goal of the Building Science Translator is to begin this process by providing a new glossary of ‘Power Words’ that can be used across the industry to consistently reinforce the value of high-performance homes. This includes applying this new language consistently to all consumer-facing materials used by government programs and industry alike.

Resource - Publications

Better Buildings Residential Network Partnerships Toolkit

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

This Better Buildings Residential Network Partnerships Toolkit includes templates, tools, guides, and examples to help energy efficiency organizations engage in partnerships that leverage resources and strengthen their programs.

Resource - Publications

Better Buildings Residential Network Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls

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

This document summarizes top takeaways shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members on Peer Exchange Calls, from tips to collaborating with utilities to cost-effective rebate models.

Resource - Publications

Contractor Sales Training: Providing the Skills Necessary to Sell Comprehensive Home Energy Upgrades

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

This Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Clean Energy Policy Brief describes how adding sales skills to contractors' existing technical expertise helps convert more assessments into comprehensive home energy upgrades. It profiles Efficiency Maine's contractor sales training and includes a list of resources.

Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Quick Start Programs: A Guide to Best Practices

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

SEEA created this document to inform the planning, design and delivery of early-stage energy efficiency programs in the Southeast. This document captures general concepts essential to the successful development and implementation of robust program portfolios, as well as lessons learned from prior experience on the regional and national levels.

Resource - Publications

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Contractor Manual

Author(s)
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) developed this manual for use by contractors participating in their New York Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) program. The manual is intended to help contractors understand and navigate the HPwES program. It provides important information about HPwES program rules, opportunities, incentives, and forms. The manual is an example of a comprehensive contractor handbook in which programs will find many useful examples of forms, procedures, and other resources.

Resource - Publications

Better Buildings Program Element Flowcharts

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

Flowcharts showing the key program elements (financing; workforce development; marketing and outreach; and data, evaluation; and reporting).

Resource - Publications

Energy Island: A Guide to Creating Your Island Energy Challenge

Author(s)
RePower Bainbridge,
Conservation Services Group,
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
This guide is designed to serve as a "how-to" reference for island communities (or small, similarly sized, more isolated communities) that want to develop and implement a residential energy-efficiency and conservation program. The purpose of this guide is to help communities chart a course for successful program development based on the lessons learned during implementation and operation of RePower Bainbridge, an energy-efficiency program on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Resource - Publications

10 New Year's Resolutions to Keep the Customers Coming

Author(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Energy Impact Illinois
This article provides 10 tips home energy contractors can use to update their marketing outreach and improve their customer service.
Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Job Creation: Real World Experiences

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2012
This report illustrates concrete ways in which energy efficiency has, in recent years, stimulated the creation of direct, indirect, and induced jobs. This report provides examples of job creation that have resulted from energy efficiency by profiling programs, policies, investments, partnerships, and business models that have catalyzed regional increases in employment.
Resource - Publications

Powering the New Energy Future from the Ground Up: Profiles in City-Led Clean Energy Innovation

Author(s)
Climate Solutions
Publication Date
2012

This report profiles the early results of a diverse range of small- to medium-sized American cities with different economic and energy profiles that are pioneering the clean energy economy. Many communities used federal grants to jumpstart long-term strategies to test and refine various clean energy and energy efficiency solutions. Others developed innovative financing strategies in the absence of grant money. These city-led efforts to catalyze local clean energy economic development are important to watch as federal grants sunset, especially in the absence of a comprehensive national energy or climate policy.

Resource - Publications

Reactions to the Residential Retrofit Roundtable Recommendations

Author(s)
Richard Faesy and Chris Kramer, Energy Futures Group (Prepared for the Energy Foundation)
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
Michigan Saves,
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
Energy Works,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
Efficiency Maine,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

This report explores the approaches and research needs identified in the Building Retrofit Industry and Market (BRIM) Initiative through in-depth discussion with residential energy upgrade experts including a discussion of Marketing & Outreach and the program/contractor interface.

Resource - Publications

Strategy Guideline: Transitioning HVAC Companies to Whole House Performance Contractors

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
This guide discusses the findings of research in moving existing companies, with a focus on HVAC, to deliver more comprehensive energy saving upgrade services. It also helps the industry understand the business processes and strategies for transitioning to such an approach.
Resource - Publications

Building Retrofit Industry and Market (BRIM) Market Research Scan

Author(s)
Innovation Network for Communities (Prepared for the Rockefeller Foundation)
Publication Date
2011

This research report and slides provide a detailed segmentation of the building energy upgrade market and summarize market research on each segment. Market segments include single-family homes, multi-family homes, and several types of commercial and institutional buildings.

Resource - Publications

Community Workforce Agreements: The Pathway to Coalitions Between Labor and Community

Author(s)
Emerald Cities Planning Committee
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Emerald Cities Collaborative,
City of Milwaukee Residents Preference Program,
City of Los Angeles,
CA,
Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles,
Port of Oakland,
Cleveland University Hospital Vision 2010,
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Water System Improvement Program
This guide to Community Workforce Agreements is an appendix to the Road Map to Emerald Cities and provides a framework to use an innovation on the traditional Project Labor Agreement to give life and meaning to the social compact.
Resource - Publications

Valuing High Performance Houses

Author(s)
Sandra K. Adomatis, SRA International
Publication Date
2010

This article discusses valuing high performance houses in the appraisal process.

Resource - Publications

Job Quality, Equitable Access and Quality Assurance Standards in Leading Residential Weatherization Programs

Author(s)
Community Benefits Law Center
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
New Jersey Weatherization Assistance Program,
Delaware Weatherization Assistance Program,
Washington State Energy Program,
Community Power Works,
Santa Clara County AB811 Pilot Program

Summary of the standards that support job quality, equitable access and quality assurance in several residential energy efficiency programs from different parts of the country.

Resource - Publications

Review of Selected Home Energy Auditing Tools

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Florida Weatherization Assistance Program,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
This report presents a review of selected home energy auditing tools. The energy audit tools reviewed in this study include REM/Rate, BEACON Home Energy Advisor, EnergyInsights, Home Energy Tune-uP, EnergyGauge, TREAT, the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT), Home Energy Saver Professional (HESPro), and RealHomeAnalyzer.
Resource - Publications

Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades: Guidance for Achieving Safe and Healthy Indoor Environments During Home Energy Retrofits

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

These protocols provide recommended minimum specifications and best practices for protection of occupant health associated with home energy upgrades.

Resource - Publications

Quality Assurance Best Practices: Home Energy Performance with ENERGY STAR Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011

This publication includes best practices for how to create a quality assurance plan and the key components that these plans should include.

Resource - Publications

DOE Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center Website

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
This website for DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program provides a virtual library of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for helping low-income families reduce energy costs.
Resource - Publications

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Business Models Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012

This report serves as a resource for program administrators and building contractors who are or may be interested in starting or expanding their services into the residential energy efficiency market.

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

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Sponsor Guide and Reference Manual (v1.5)

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

This guide assists with developing an implementation plan for a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. It covers key elements of the plan, including the scope and objectives of the program and the policies and procedures that will ensure its success, including co-marketing and brand guidelines (section 1), workforce development and contractor engagement (section 3), assessment and report requirements (section 4), installation specifications and test-out procedures (section 5), and quality assurance (section 6).

Resource - Publications

Program Experiences: Lessons Learned from the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program

Author(s)
Danielle Sass Byrnett, U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014

This presentation provides an overview of the results and lessons learned from 41 community partners that participated in the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program. It also provides an overview of the Better Buildings Residential Program Solution Center.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energize Phoenix Energy Efficiency on an Urban Scale: Year Three Summary Report

Author(s)
Energize Phoenix
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Energize Phoenix

This summary report provides scientific results, lessons learned, and recommendations for driving energy efficiency in existing buildings on an urban scale. It includes program marketing lesson learned, such as: personal outreach and call to action events are critical marketing opportunities.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Pro3: Benchmarking Job Creation in the Southeast

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

This report provides an independent analysis of the job creation impact of DOE's investment in energy efficiency programs, from 2010 to 2013. The analysis calculates the job creation results that would have occurred in the Southeast, based on the prevailing economic conditions from 2010 to 2013, had DOE invested in sectors other than energy efficiency.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Home Energy Savings Program Insight on Workforce Development

Author(s)
Dana Fischer, Efficiency Maine Trust
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

Insights from Efficiency Maine related to Workforce Development.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Strategies (th)at Work

Author(s)
Mary Templeton, Michigan Saves,
George Clark, Energy Efficiency Contractor
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves
Overview of Michigan Saves' employer outreach initiative to drive uptake of home energy upgrades.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

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

Deploying HPXML: Building a Framework for the Future

Author(s)
Gavin Hastings, Arizona Public Service
Publication Date
2014

This presentation describes how APS' decision to switch to flexible requirements for energy assessment and modeling software and data transfer using HPXML standards reduced administrative time and improved contractor satisfaction.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Seattle Community Power Works Fall 2012 Progress Report

Author(s)
Washington State University Energy Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This mid-program evaluation includes extensive analysis of program sectors, including results of surveys of participants, and summarizes lessons learned to date.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Pro3: Productivity, Progress and Prosperity for the Southeast

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

This report demonstrates the results achieved to date by the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance. It highlights the experiences of Consortium programs, their successes driving further investments in energy efficiency improvements, and the challenges that hindered their progress. It also details the infrastructure, resources, and opportunities that support the deployment of energy efficiency programming, and the approaches that the Consortium has found best suited to the region.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

High Road Outcomes in Portland's Energy Efficiency Upgrade Pilot

Author(s)
Stacy Ho and Jeremy Hays, Green For All
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit

This report highlights the impact of investment for Portland, Oregon in terms of high-quality job creation, equitable hiring, inclusive business opportunities, standardized training, and energy conservation.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Community Power Works of Seattle Planning Presentation

Author(s)
Community Power Works
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This planning document from Community Power Works of Seattle, Washington, includes flow charts and tables designed to help guide both the initial launch of the program, which includes setting goals, and its ongoing development.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

The Leadership Academy: Motivating Contractors to Participate

Author(s)
Gary R. Myers, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
This presentation explains how to engage and motivate contractors and utility companies through the use of commitments, creating a dynamic program that they can become involved with, and the setting of standards for contractors.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Efficiency Workforce Development in Maryland

Author(s)
Lauren Swiston, Maryland Energy Administration
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EmPOWER Maryland
This presentation discusses workforce development experiences with residential energy efficiency programs in Maryland, including early successes, work with moderate-income populations, partnerships with utilities and colleges, challenges, and lessons learned.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Market Transformation in Connecticut: Integrating Home Performance into Existing Trades

Author(s)
Jane Bugbee, The United Illuminating Company
Publication Date
2012
This presentation highlights the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund's efforts to integrate HVAC contractors, builders, and remodelers into its home performance program, which expanded its customer base and significantly scaled up the program. It includes lessons on outreach strategies for integrating these types of contractors into the program.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

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Content Type

  • Resource (105)
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Resource Type

Program Components

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Organizations or Programs

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  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (3)
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  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (3)
  • Bridging the Gap (2)
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  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (2)
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  • Arizona Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (1)
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  • Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star (1)
  • New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (1)
  • New Mexico Energy$mart (1)
  • Southwest Gas (1)
  • SustainableWorks (1)
  • Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC) (1)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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