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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resource - Topical Presentations

Rainbows and Leprechauns: Finding Gold in Partnerships

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

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

Resource - Topical Presentations

Community Organizing and Outreach

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart,
Bend Energy Challenge,
Energy Upgrade California

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on community-based outreach and organizing strategies to market home energy assessments and upgrades.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Update on Revenue Strategies

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart,
Energy Upgrade California,
Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on new and updated revenue strategies.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Structuring Rebate and Incentive Programs for Sustainable Demand

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This peer exchange call summary focused on developing rebate/incentive programs to generate a demand for sustainable programs and products.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Tenant Education and Training

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This peer exchange call summary focused on different tenant and resident education programs and how to make them complement larger programs.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Targeted Marketing and Program Design for Low- and Moderate-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Indianapolis Better Buildings Program,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

This peer exchange call summary focused on what energy efficiency programs are doing to target low- and moderate-income households.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Leveraging Holidays and Other Events

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

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

Resource - Topical Presentations

Business Models and Case Examples for Working with the Real Estate Sector

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on raising awareness and integrating the value of energy efficiency into transactions with the real estate sector.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Effective Strategies for Participating in Utility Planning

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on best practices, entry points, strategies and challenges of program integration and participation in utility planning efforts.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Do-It-Yourself Projects

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Neighborworks H.E.A.T Squad,
RePower Bainbridge

This peer exchange call summary focused on the challenges, benefits, quality assurance methods and incorporation of do-it-yourself projects into programs.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Information Technology Tools for Multifamily Building Programs

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

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

Resource - Topical Presentations

Program Management and Continuous Improvement for Financing Programs

Author(s)
Chris Lohmann, U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
emPowerSBC,
EnergySmart Colorado

Presentation providing an overview of financing programs, a strategy for continuous improvement, tools for program management, a risk management strategy, and common risks associated with financing programs.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Marketing Message Testing for Super-Efficient Dryers

Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
This presentation covers details of an in-store market test for Super-Efficient Dryer (SED) marketing collateral. Five different marketing message concepts were created based on previous consumer research. The concepts include: an image, a headline of the key benefit, and a brief product description to drive credibility.
Resource - Publications

Marketing Message Testing for Super-Efficient Dryers

Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This presentation covers details of an in-store market test for Super-Efficient Dryer (SED) marketing collateral. Five different marketing message concepts were created based on previous consumer research. The concepts include: an image, a headline of the key benefit, and a brief product description to drive credibility.

Resource - Publications

MF HERCC Recommendations Report: 2015 Update

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

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

Resource - Publications

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

Powering the New Energy Future From the Ground Up

Author(s)
Climate Solutions
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Hailey's Community Climate Challenge,
EnergySmart,
Eugene Water and Electric Board,
Community Energy Challenge,
Hailey's Community Climate Challenge,
Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project,
Knoxville,
TN,
Oberlin Project,
Energize New York,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton,
Burlington Sustainability Action Team,
Gainesville Regional Utilities,
Hillsboro Solar Advantage,
Issaquah,
WA,
MPower Madison Program,
Solarize Pendleton,
Clear the Air Challenge,
Santa Fe,
NM,
West Union,
IA,
Sustainable Williamson,
CharlestonWISE,
City of Aiken,
SC,
City Green Initiative,
Kilowatt Cruncher Challenge,
Smarter Sustainable Dubuque,
Small Cities Climate Action Partnership,
City of Grand Rapids,
MI,
Town of GreenÞeld,
MA,
City of Keene,
NH,
Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL),
Clean Local Energy Accessible Now,
RichmondBuild Pre-apprenticeship Construction Skills and Green Jobs Training Academy

This report from Climate Solutions analyzes small- to medium-sized American cities that are using successful methods to further clean energy economic development. Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners that are featured in the report include Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, Washington; Boulder, Colorado; Bedford, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The report includes details on the how the featured cities funded their projects, found successful models to reach their goals, and to see which new projects are off to a promising start.

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

California Statewide Marketing, Education and Outreach (ME&O) Evaluation Findings

Author(s)
Opinion Dynamics Corporation
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

The presentation covers evaluation findings from California’s Statewide Marketing, Education and Outreach (SW ME&O) program.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

California Statewide Marketing, Education, and Outreach Program: Verification and Integrated Effectiveness Study

Author(s)
Opinion Dynamics Corporation
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

The purpose of this study is to document the effects of California’s Statewide Marketing, Education and Outreach (SW ME&O) program. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of SW ME&O efforts overall, as well as against established performance metrics.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

California Statewide Marketing, Education, and Outreach Workshop: Evaluation Results and Recommendations

Author(s)
Opinion Dynamics Corporation
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

The presentation covers evaluation results and recommendations for California’s Statewide Marketing, Education and Outreach (SW ME&O) program.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

California Statewide Marketing, Education, and Outreach Program: Cross-Cutting Process Study

Author(s)
Opinion Dynamics Corporation
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This report presents findings from the Cross-Cutting Process Study of California’s 2013-2015 Marketing, Education and Outreach (ME&O) efforts. This study has three overarching goals: to assess how well coordination occurs between the Statewide ME&O administrator and the Investor Owned Utility (IOU) and Regional Energy Network (REN) Program Administrators (PAs); to document ME&O design and implementation activities, and to document how consumers engage with ME&O.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Upgrade California Website Assessment

Author(s)
Extractable
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This study reviews consumer-facing energy-focused websites and their related assets to provide a comprehensive roadmap for website development to transform and optimize the Energy Upgrade California web portal to better support the program efforts facilitating consumer and small business participation.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Upgrade California Brand Assessment

Author(s)
Opinion Dynamics Corporation
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This study of Energy Upgrade California aims to: establish baseline consumer brand awareness; understand consumer associations with the brand; and understand consumer awareness of energy management and bill savings opportunities and barriers to taking action on those opportunities.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Upgrade California Strategic & Creative: Power of One

Author(s)
DDB
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This presentation covers Energy Upgrade California marketing plan to educate and empower businesses and consumers across the state of California to promote energy efficient practices and product.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Marketing, Education, and Outreach Planning for Energy Upgrade California

Author(s)
Rory Cox, California Public Utilities Commission
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This presentation covers the strategies, objectives and metrics for Energy Upgrade California.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

California Public Utilities Commission Five-Year Marketing, Education and Outreach (ME&O) Strategic Roadmap

Author(s)
California Public Utilities Commission
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

The goal of the Marketing Education & Outreach (ME&O) Program is to motivate consumers to take action on energy efficiency/conservation measures and change their behavior. The program strives to both increase consumer awareness and facilitate the ability to act and incorporate technological advances or behavior change using all available resources to reduce energy and choose clean energy options. This Five-Year ME&O Strategic Roadmap includes two main sections: (1) the objectives, strategies, and metrics for customer engagement and how these strategies will lead greenhouse gas reduction and energy efficiency goals of the California Public Utilities Commission.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

California Public Utilities Commission Joint Consumer Action Plan

Author(s)
California Public Utilities Commission
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This document reflects what the California Public Utilities Commission’s customer engagement campaign will accomplish from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018. It also includes goals and objectives, target audiences, high-level approaches and strategies, metrics, and implementation roles and responsibilities for each strategy.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Using Community-Based Social Marketing to Drive Demand for Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
RePower Bainbridge
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
This presentation explores the community-based social marketing aspects of RePower Bainbridge and includes insights on knowing your audience, market barriers, and leverage opportunities.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

RePower Program -- People Will Talk: Making Energy Efficiency a Neighborhood Issue

Author(s)
Helen Biersack, RePower
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
This presentation describes Washington's RePower program and lessons learned on community engagement as a driver of demand.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Marketing & Outreach Strategy Research

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Cambridge Energy Alliance,
Energy Impact Illinois,
Enhabit,
Energy Upgrade California

This presentation summarizes the market research that was performed by various Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Los Angeles County Energy Program Marketing Technical Advisory Group Presentation

Author(s)
Los Angeles County, California
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
Los Angeles County presented its market research analysis.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

RePower Considers Business Model Options

Author(s)
RePower Bainbridge
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
The RePower programs in Washington State convened local community leaders, organizations, contractors, and program partners for a planning summit to consider the benefits and challenges of different business models for the post-grant period. Participants considered four models: non-profit organization, utility, county or city government, and private sector.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Energy Upgrade California 2013-2014 Marketing Plan

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

This plan outlines a brand and marketing strategy to establish Energy Upgrade California as California's central energy management brand and motivate residential and small business energy consumers to take action to better manage their energy use through the brand's comprehensive statewide marketing, education, and outreach campaigns.

Resource - Program Materials

Sample RFP: Energy Efficiency Credit Enhancement Grant

Author(s)
State of Washington Department of Commerce
Publication Date
2009
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
A sample request for proposals from Washington state to develop an energy efficiency credit enhancement grant program.
Resource - Program Materials

Sample RFP: City of Bainbridge Island Energy Revolving Loan Fund/Loan Loss Reserve Administration

Author(s)
City of Bainbridge Island, Washington
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
A sample request for proposals from Bainbridge Island, Washington, related to establishing a revolving loan fund and loan loss reserve.
Resource - Program Materials

Partnerships Can Benefit Energy Efficiency Programs and Utilities

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

In this video interview segment, Yvonne Kraus of Conservation Services Group describes how program and utility partnerships can co-benefit each other.

Resource - Case Studies

Understanding Your Market

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

In this video interview segment, Will Ranes of RePower Kitsap discusses the importance of understanding your market, including being able to speak the language of utilities and other key players.

Resource - Case Studies

Messaging to Motivate

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
In this video interview segment, Yvonne Kraus of Conservation Services Group in Bainbridge Island, Washington, discusses why the RePower program created multiple branding and messaging themes.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (41)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (8)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (9)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (2)
  • Marketing & Outreach (26)
  • Financing (8)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (4)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (4)
  • Strategy Development (43)
  • (-) Planning (47)
  • Implementation (38)
  • Evaluation (18)

States or Territories

  • California (32)
  • Colorado (4)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Florida (1)
  • Illinois (1)
  • Indiana (1)
  • Louisiana (1)
  • Maine (2)
  • Maryland (2)
  • Minnesota (1)
  • New Jersey (1)
  • New York (2)
  • Oregon (3)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • Texas (1)
  • Vermont (2)
  • Virginia (1)
  • Washington (14)

Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (45)
  • (-) Energy Upgrade California (29)
  • Austin Energy (27)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (26)
  • Efficiency Maine (19)
  • Michigan Saves (19)
  • Elevate Energy (18)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (16)
  • (-) RePower Bainbridge (16)
  • Efficiency Vermont (15)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (14)
  • RePower Kitsap (14)
  • EnergySmart (13)
  • RePower Bremerton (13)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (12)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (11)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (11)
  • Community Power Works (10)
  • EnergyWorks (10)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (9)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (9)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (8)
  • Focus on Energy (8)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (8)
  • Mass Save (7)
  • Long Island Green Homes (6)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (6)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (6)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (5)
  • Cambridge Energy Alliance (5)
  • Energize Phoenix (5)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (5)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (5)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (5)
  • Be SMART (4)
  • Build It Green (4)
  • Community Energy Challenge (4)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (4)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (4)
  • Energize Connecticut (4)
  • Kansas How$mart (4)
  • Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) (4)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (4)
  • BetterBuildings for Greensboro (3)
  • CharlestonWISE (3)
  • Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL) (3)
  • NOLA WISE (3)
  • Public Service of New Hampshire (3)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (3)
  • 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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