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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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Think Again! A Fresh Look at Home Performance Business Models and Service Offerings (301)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
SaveGreen Project,
Enhabit

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on changing an organization's home performance business model and expanding the services offered.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Voluntary Initiative on Incentives: Toolkit Training Webinar

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Maine

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on types of incentives.

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

Strategies to Overcome Split Incentive Tenant / Landlord Issues

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Cambridge Energy Alliance

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on challenges and strategies related to split incentives for tenants and landlords.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Coordinating Energy Efficiency With Water Conservation Services

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks KC,
Austin Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on strategies and advantages of combining energy and water conservation services.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Cost-Effective Modeling and Savings Projections for Multifamily Projects

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on energy modeling in multifamily homes.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Outreach to Multifamily Landlords and Tenants

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Clean Energy Durham,
Austin Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on ways to reach out to landlords.

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

Trends in Multifamily Programs: What's Working and What's Challenging

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
MPower Oregon

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on introducing and building interest in multi-family energy efficiency.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Trends in Real Estate and Energy Efficiency - Update on Program Experience

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2)

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on working with the real estate sector to promote and drive demand for energy efficiency.

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

Moving Multifamily Buildings From Assessments to Upgrades

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Maine

This peer exchange call summary focused on moving from assessments to upgrades in multifamily buildings.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Insights from UT Austin Energy Poll on U.S. Consumer Attitudes

Author(s)
The University of Texas at Austin
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy
This presentation shares the results of the Austin Energy Poll, including insights on U.S. consumer opinions and attitudes toward energy efficiency, climate change, energy consumption, pricing, development, and regulation.
Resource - Topical Presentations

Using Social Media to Engage the Community in Energy Efficiency
Projects

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Cambridge Energy Alliance,
Energize Clackamas County,
Green Homes Challenge
This webinar presented ways various programs use social media tools to enhance and promote their energy programs among their communities.
Resource - Topical Presentations

Better Buildings Residential Network Social Media Toolkit

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
Enhabit,
EnergyFit Nevada

The Better Buildings Residential Network Social Media toolkit can be used to help residential energy efficiency programs learn to engage potential customers through social media. Social media can build brand awareness concerning home energy upgrades and the entities working on them, which can lead to more energy upgrade projects taking place in the long run. This toolkit will help program managers and their staff with decisions like what social media works best for various program needs. When aligned with other marketing and outreach efforts, social media can be a useful tool in attracting home energy upgrade customers. Note that social media changes constantly, so users of this toolkit need to regularly reassess their methods and review results to ensure goals are being met.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Intelligent Efficiency Technology and Market Assessment

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

The adoption of intelligent efficiency applications is increasing across multiple sectors of the economy. This report analyzes over two dozen of these applications in the buildings, manufacturing, transportation, and government sectors. We describe the technologies involved, characterize their use, and quantify their deployment. We also look at several enabling and cross-cutting technologies and the use of intelligent efficiency in utility-sector energy efficiency programs.

Resource - Publications

Catalyzing Efficiency: Unlocking Energy Information and Value in Apartment Buildings

Author(s)
Institute for Market Transformation
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy,
Austin Energy,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Mass Save,
City of New York’s Retrofit Accelerator,
Seattle RENEW Multi-Family Housing Program

This report explores how governments and energy efficiency implementers could help stakeholders better analyze and act upon building performance data to unlock savings.

Resource - Publications

Reaching More Residents: Opportunities for Increasing Participation in Multifamily Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Focus on Energy,
National Grid Rhode Island,
DC Sustainable Energy Utility Low-Income Multifamily Initiative,
Bay Area Regional Energy Network Multifamily Building Enhancements,
Con Edison Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program,
Con Edison Multifamily Low Income Program,
Puget Sound Energy,
Xcel Energy,
Elevate Energy,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Public Service Electric and Gas Multifamily Program,
Pacific Gas & Electric Company,
Arizona Public Service (APS) Company,
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Vermont,
CenterPoint Energy,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

The multifamily sector can be hard to reach when it comes to energy efficiency programs. Besides being diverse and complex, the sector presents a unique set of challenges to efficiency investments. The result is that multifamily customers are often underserved by energy efficiency programs. Drawing on data requests and interviews with program administrators, this report summarizes the challenges to program participation and identifies best practices that programs can use to reach and retain large numbers of multifamily participants.

Resource - Publications

A Policymaker’s Guide to Scaling Home Energy Upgrades

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

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

Resource - Publications

Is Energy Efficiency Capitalized into Home Prices? Evidence from Three US Cities

Author(s)
Resources for the Future
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

This study looks at evidence of capitalization of energy efficiency features in home prices using data from real estate multiple listing services (MLS) in three metropolitan areas: the Research Triangle region of North Carolina; Austin, Texas; and Portland, Oregon. These home listings include information on Energy Star certification and, in Portland and Austin, local green certifications. Our results suggest that Energy Star certification increases the sales prices of homes built between 1995 and 2006 but has no statistically significant effect on sales prices for newer homes.

Resource - Publications

Best Practices for Energy Retrofit Program Design: Business Models Recommendations

Author(s)
Home Performance Resource Center
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Long Island Green Homes,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Enhabit

This paper, which is based on detailed case studies of nine existing state and local programs, presents recommendations for energy upgrade programs to facilitate industry growth and support contractor business models.

Resource - Publications

State and Regional Policies that Promote Energy Efficiency Programs Carried out by Electric and Gas Utilities

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2007
Organizations or Programs
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Flex Your Power Program,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
Focus on Energy,
Austin Energy
This report provides comprehensive information on state, federal, local, and utility incentives and policies that are in place to support renewable energy and energy efficiency.
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

Cambridge Energy Alliance's Residential and Small Business Communications and Marketing Strategy

Author(s)
Hattaway Communications
Publication Date
2007
Organizations or Programs
Cambridge Energy Alliance
This marketing strategy includes the goals and objectives the Cambridge (Massachusetts) Energy Alliance set out to meet.
Resource - Publications

Clean Energy Financing Programs: A Decision Resource for States and Communities

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Bridgeport Housing Authority Energy Efficiency,
City of Pendleton,
OR,
Enhabit,
ClimateSmart Initiative,
Colorado ENERGY STAR Homes,
Connecticut Solar Lease,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
Long Island Green Homes,
Montana Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program,
Palm Desert Energy Independence Program,
Sonoma County Energy Independence Program,
Sustainable Connections: Energy Challenge,
Texas LoanSTAR

This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resource is intended to help state and local governments design finance programs for their jurisdiction. It describes financing program options, key components of these programs, and factors to consider as they make decisions about getting started or updating their programs.

Resource - Publications

Overview of Marketing Methods for Local Retrofit Programs

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Cambridge Energy Alliance,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership,
WeatherizeDC
This report shares strategies for marketing local energy efficiency programs, particularly through focused messaging, leveraging partnerships, and social media.
Resource - Publications

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

Spotlight on Austin, Texas: Let Your Contractor Be Your Guide for Big Rewards

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy
This case study discusses strategies that Austin Energy, a municipally owned utility, used to collaborate closely with building contractors to launch a new Best Offer Ever promotion quickly and effectively.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (30)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (8)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (12)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (3)
  • Marketing & Outreach (12)
  • Financing (2)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (7)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (6)
  • Strategy Development (35)
  • (-) Planning (36)
  • Implementation (29)
  • Evaluation (11)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Alaska (1)
  • Arizona (3)
  • Arkansas (1)
  • California (5)
  • Colorado (2)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Delaware (1)
  • Florida (4)
  • Georgia (2)
  • Hawaii (1)
  • Illinois (4)
  • Kansas (2)
  • Kentucky (1)
  • Maine (4)
  • Manitoba (1)
  • Maryland (3)
  • Massachusetts (5)
  • Michigan (3)
  • Minnesota (2)
  • Missouri (3)
  • Montana (1)
  • Nevada (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Jersey (3)
  • New York (8)
  • North Carolina (2)
  • Ohio (2)
  • Oklahoma (1)
  • Oregon (9)
  • Pennsylvania (4)
  • Rhode Island (2)
  • South Dakota (1)
  • Texas (24)
  • Utah (1)
  • Vermont (4)
  • Virginia (1)
  • Washington (5)
  • Washington DC (3)
  • Wisconsin (5)

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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