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Establish data sharing relationships as early as possible

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

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

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

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

Communicate with audiences at least three times; once is not enough

All residential energy efficiency programs have found that outreach needs to be repeated to connect with and remind potential participants about program offerings. As marketing gurus note, the majority of people need to be exposed to a product message at least three times (on separate occasions) to...
Tips for Success

Streamline the financing process with easy loan applications and quick approvals

Complicated loan and program application processes have deterred many potential customers from following through with an upgrade. Delays and overly burdensome requirements raise barriers to participation. Many programs have successfully employed strategies to reduce the number of requirements that...
Tips for Success

Language matters – use words that resonate with your target audience

Words have power, so many programs decided to use language with positive associations. For example, the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program encouraged use of the term "assessment" instead of "audit" to avoid the negative connotation of a tax audit. "Home energy upgrade" sounds more positive than...
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

How to Design a Community Energy Alliance

Author(s)
Ben Taube and Jolyn Newton, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Eric Mackres, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
City of Decatur Kilowatt Crackdown,
Community Energy Challenge,
Go Green Nashville,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Webcast on how to design a community energy alliance.
Resource - Webcast

Marketing, Communication, and Outreach: Lessons Learned In and Outside Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.,
Clean Energy Solutions, Inc.,
Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This webcast presents lessons learned in marketing, communication, and outreach, including lessons related to marketing plans.

Resource - Webcast

Collaborating With Utilities on Residential Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
EnergyWorks

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how a residential energy efficiency program can work with, for or as utilities.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Better Buildings Program: Brands & Websites

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Community Power Works,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Maine,
emPowerSBC,
Energize Bedford,
Energize Phoenix,
EnergySmart Colorado,
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergyWorks,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Green Madison,
BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,
Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2),
Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team - A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New Hampshire BetterBuildings,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
reEnergize,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

This presentation includes the brands, website addresses, and images for most of the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Resource - Topical Presentations

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

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Grantee Incentives

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Atlanta SHINE,
Be SMART,
Beacon Communities Project,
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
BetterBuildings for Greensboro,
BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,
Camden POWER - A Better Buildings Initiative,
CarrboroWISE,
City of Indianapolis Better Buildings Program,
Chapel Hill WISE,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Community Alliance for Energy Efficiency (Cafe2),
Community Power Works,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
DecaturWISE,
Efficiency Maine,
emPowerSBC,
Energize Phoenix,
EnergyFit Nevada,
Energy Impact Illinois,
EnergySmart,
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergyWorks,
Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Huntsville WISE,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Michigan Saves,
Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team - A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
reEnergize,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton,
Richmond Regional Energy Alliance (RREA),
ShopSmart with JEA,
Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF),
Small Town Energy Program (STEP),
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC),
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This publication summarizes some of the incentives offered by Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Resource - Publications

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

SEEA Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (Interim Report)

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

This interim evaluation report examines the design, delivery, and market effects of each of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance's (SEEA) thirteen sub-grantee programs and identifies opportunities to increase each program's success, and quantifies and verifies the energy savings achieved through the programs' funded home energy improvements and the cost-effectiveness of those savings.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Request for Proposal for Branding and Communications

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
This request for proposal from the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance is for branding and communications support.
Resource - Program Materials

Request for Proposals for the EnergyWorks Public Information and Marketing Campaign for the City of Philadelphia

Author(s)
City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
This is a sample request for proposals (RFP) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for public information and marketing support.
Resource - Program Materials

EnergyWorks Grabs Attention in Calm and Stormy Weather with Intuitive Ads

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
EnergyWorks' phased marketing campaign appeals to Philadelphia homeowners based on the current weather conditions.
Resource - Case Studies

In the City of Brotherly Love, Sharing Know-How Leads to Sustainability

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
Philadelphia EnergyWorks helped sustain future programs by sharing marketing insights and program data with a local utility partner.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (13)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (4)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (6)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (5)
  • Marketing & Outreach (11)
  • Financing (4)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (2)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (5)
  • Strategy Development (20)
  • Planning (16)
  • (-) Implementation (19)
  • Evaluation (11)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (2)
  • Arizona (2)
  • Arkansas (1)
  • California (1)
  • Colorado (1)
  • Florida (2)
  • Georgia (2)
  • Louisiana (2)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Ohio (2)
  • Oregon (2)
  • Pennsylvania (10)
  • Texas (1)
  • Virginia (2)

Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (46)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (34)
  • Efficiency Maine (25)
  • Austin Energy (23)
  • Energy Upgrade California (23)
  • Michigan Saves (19)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (18)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (17)
  • RePower Bainbridge (16)
  • Efficiency Vermont (15)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (15)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (15)
  • RePower Kitsap (15)
  • Elevate Energy (14)
  • RePower Bremerton (13)
  • Community Power Works (12)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (12)
  • EnergySmart (12)
  • (-) EnergyWorks (12)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (12)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (9)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (8)
  • Focus on Energy (8)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (7)
  • Energize Phoenix (7)
  • Long Island Green Homes (7)
  • Mass Save (7)
  • (-) Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (7)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (6)
  • Energize Connecticut (6)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (6)
  • reEnergize (6)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (6)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (6)
  • BetterBuildings for Greensboro (5)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (5)
  • NOLA WISE (5)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (5)
  • Small Town Energy Program (STEP) (5)
  • Be SMART (4)
  • Cambridge Energy Alliance (4)
  • CharlestonWISE (4)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (4)
  • Energize Delaware (4)
  • Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star (4)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (4)
  • New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (4)
  • emPowerSBC (3)
  • Energize New York (3)
  • Kansas How$mart (3)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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