Skip to main content
Energy.gov Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Residential Program Guide
  • About
  • Common Topics

Secondary

  • Explore Residential Guide
    • Handbook Index
    • Program Components
    • Program Design Phases
  • Resources
    • Quick Answers
    • Proven Practices
    • Energy Data Facts
    • Tips For Success
    • Resource Library
    • Glossary
  • Tech Solutions
    • About Tech Solutions
    • HVAC
    • Heat Pump Water Heater

Breadcrumbs

EERE » Residential Program Guide » Common Search Topics » Search by Topic

Page title

Search by Topic

Showing results 1 - 24 of 24

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

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

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

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

The Dog Days of Summer: Capitalizing on the Pet Market

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how pet-based marketing can promote residential energy efficiency.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Incorporating Behavior Change Efforts Into Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
EnergyWorks KC

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how programs use behavior change strategies to reduce energy use.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Cost-Effectiveness Tests and Measuring Like a Utility

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on evaluating and demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of energy upgrades to programs.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Working with Real Estate Home Inspectors, Exterminators, and Other Nontraditional Partners

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on leveraging home inspectors and others in the real estate transaction processes.

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 Course Corrections Based on Evaluation Results

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge

This peer exchange call summary focused on effective program evaluation and incorporating changes into programs based off evaluation insight.

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

Connecticut Workshop Survey

Author(s)
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
Short survey for Connecticut's Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge workshop participants. The workshop allowed the program to share its energy efficiency offerings with homeowners.
Resource - Templates & Forms

Partnering with Utilities and Other Ratepayer-Funded Energy Efficiency Program Administrators

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Colorado ENERGY STAR Homes,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Silicon Valley Energy Watch Program,
The Home Energy Rebate Option,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
Efficiency Vermont,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
The objective of this document is to help state and local governments understand the role of program administrators (PAs) and assist them in developing successful partnerships with utility and other energy efficiency PAs. The majority of this paper presents information on partnering and leveraging current energy efficiency activities. However, it also includes information for governments in areas without active PAs, as well as an appendix with a case study describing how state and local governments can fill gaps and administer programs in the absence of a PA.
Resource - Publications

Leaders of the Pack: ACEEE's Third National Review of Exemplary Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Columbia Gas of Ohio,
National Grid,
CenterPoint Energy,
Nicor Gas,
United Illuminating Company,
Eversource Energy,
Yankee Gas,
Connecticut Natural Gas,
Southern Connecticut Gas,
Xcel Energy,
Connecticut Natural Gas

This report presents the results of ACEEE's third national review or utility-funded energy efficiency programs, completed in 2013. The report identifies and profiles 63 leading programs that span the wide array of program types offered to utility customers, and highlights key trends and observations that emerged from reviewing these programs.

Resource - Publications

Shared Value in Utility and Efficiency Partnerships - Lessons in Perseverance, Flexibility and Mutual Respect

Author(s)
Kerry O'Neill, Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
Connecticut's Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge's perspective on their partnership with Northeast Utilities.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Shared Value in Utility and Efficiency Partnerships - Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Author(s)
Nikki Kuhn, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energize Phoenix,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA),
Efficiency Vermont
Presentation that focuses on grantee program-utility partnership models.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Listening to Consumer Behavior

Author(s)
Kat Donnelly, Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
This presentation outlines the steps Connecticut's Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge program took to obtain and sort useful feedback from surveys and volunteer observations.
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

Using Data to Monitor Market Transformation

Author(s)
Melissa Glickman, Boulder County, Colorado (now EnergySmart)
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

EnergySmart Colorado uses surveys and a customer database to get feedback from homeowners that helps fine-tune program services and operations.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Technology Solutions and Programmatic Approaches: Driving Innovation in Residential Energy Efficiency Strategies

Author(s)
Kat Donnelly, EMpowerDevices,
Kerry O'Neill, Earth Markets
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge

Connecticut's Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge uses dashboards that display key project data for administrators and contractors to monitor progress over time. The program has evaluated performance at different steps in the process and identified strategies to improve performance where needed, such as sales training for contractors, energy advisors, monthly contractor scorecards, and multiple customer "touches." These improvements increased the close rate from 26 to 60 percent in one year.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

EnergySmart 2014 Marketing Plan and Implementation Guide

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This marketing plan describes a social mobilization approach that leverages social networking, including social media, and word-of-mouth marketing to raise awareness and drive customers to program services. It provides strategies and tactics to target audiences most likely to participate, building on market research and audience segmentation to develop a message platform specifically designed to address their key motivating factors and barriers.

Resource - Program Materials

EnergySmart Colorado Assessment Process: Analyst Flowchart

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This contractor process flowchart from EnergySmart Colorado includes the phases of contractor qualifications review and preparation, site work, and follow up.

Resource - Program Materials

Sample RFP: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

A sample request for proposals from Boulder County, Colorado, to develop an energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate program.

Resource - Program Materials

Project Implementation Plan: Colorado Retrofit Ramp-Up Project

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example of an implementation plan developed by EnergySmart Colorado at the beginning of the implementation of its Better Buildings Neighborhood Program.

Resource - Program Materials

Content Type

  • Resource (20)
  • Tips for Success (4)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (2)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (10)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (8)
  • Marketing & Outreach (8)
  • Financing (4)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (3)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (5)
  • Strategy Development (24)
  • (-) Planning (24)
  • Implementation (27)
  • Evaluation (24)

States or Territories

  • Arizona (1)
  • California (4)
  • Colorado (11)
  • Connecticut (10)
  • Maine (2)
  • Missouri (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • Ohio (1)
  • Oregon (1)
  • Vermont (1)

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.
Contact | Building Technologies Office

OFFICE of
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

Forrestal Building
1000 Independence Ave. SW
Washington DC 20585

Link to Facebook Link to Twitter Link to Youtube Link to Linkedin

An office of

Energy.Gov

About EERE

Careers and Internships

EERE Home

Publications Library

Contact EERE

Energy.gov Resources

Budget & Performance

Directives, Delegations & Requirements

FOIA

Inspector General

Privacy Program

Small Business

Staff & Contractor Resources

Federal Government

The White House

USA.gov

  • Web Policies
  • Privacy
  • No Fear Act
  • Whistleblower Protection
  • Information Quality
  • Open Gov
  • Accessibility
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Program