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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

Offer homeowners multiple types of assessments

Several successful residential energy efficiency programs offered multiple types of home energy assessments to appeal to a wider spectrum of homeowner interests and needs. These ranged from online home assessments to brief walk-throughs to full diagnostic testing. A comprehensive evaluation of over...
Tips for Success

Provide adequate time for data system development and testing

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that setting up their information technology (IT) systems early in the program design stage ensured that data terms and data entry procedures were consistently applied by all system users. Reaching agreement with stakeholders (e.g...
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

Make sure there are enough customers in your target market to meet your goals and attract partners

Many programs that focused on a specific neighborhood or other small geographic areas have found it difficult to generate enough customer interest, partner interest, and upgrade activity to meet program goals. Regional or statewide approaches are often more attractive to contractors, lenders...
Tips for Success

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

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

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

Working with the Real Estate Sector

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Impact Illinois,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

This peer exchange call summary focused on the strategies, challenges and key interaction points with the real estate sector.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Boulder, Colorado's SmartRegs: Minimum Performance Standards for Residential Rental Housing

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
In 2011 the City of Boulder, Colorado enacted its “SmartRegs” ordinances that require all single family and multifamily rental properties to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by January 2019. The SmartRegs initiative is designed to help the city achieve its ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals and to improve the quality, safety, and marketability of Boulder’s rental housing stock.
Resource - Publications

2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Valuing Energy Efficiency in the Real Estate Community

Author(s)
Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
The lack of documented value of retrofit measures is a barrier to many homeowners doing upgrades - as most appraisals do not include energy improvements in their comparables, and the homeÕs future sale can prevent the homeowner from earning a return on their investment via lower energy costs. Once the industry develops a process for valuing the energy improvements, it can unlock the significant potential for retrofit work through market pricing signals (energy efficient homes are worth more) and enhanced access to capital for those purchasing a more efficient home (energy efficient homes improve borrowersÕ cashflow because they cost less to operate).
Resource - Publications

2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Valuing Energy Efficiency in the Real Estate Community

Author(s)
Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

The lack of documented value of retrofit measures is a barrier to many homeowners doing upgrades - as most appraisals do not include energy improvements in their comparables, and the home’s future sale can prevent the homeowner from earning a return on their investment via lower energy costs. Once the industry develops a process for valuing the energy improvements, it can unlock the significant potential for retrofit work through market pricing signals (energy efficient homes are worth more) and enhanced access to capital for those purchasing a more efficient home (energy efficient homes improve borrowers’ cashflow because they cost less to operate).

Resource - Publications

The Energy Advisor Model: Lessons Learned

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

Overview of lessons learned from EnergySmart Colorado's energy advisor model.

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

Shared Value in Utility and Efficiency Partnerships - Local Energy Alliance Program

Author(s)
Cynthia Adams, Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Presentation that focuses on grantee program-utility partnership models from the programs perspective.
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

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

EnergySmart Residential Survey

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example survey about a homeowner's experience with a visit from an energy advisor as part of EnergySmart in Boulder County, Colorado.

Resource - Program Materials

Program Design Flowchart for Eagle County, Colorado

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
Example of a program design flowchart showing key steps and relationships for the energy efficiency program in Eagle County, Colorado.
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 (15)
  • Tips for Success (5)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (6)
  • (-) Program Design & Customer Experience (20)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (11)
  • Marketing & Outreach (19)
  • Financing (16)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (7)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (2)
  • Strategy Development (15)
  • Planning (12)
  • Implementation (12)
  • Evaluation (4)

States or Territories

  • Arizona (3)
  • California (1)
  • Colorado (10)
  • Georgia (1)
  • Illinois (1)
  • Maine (1)
  • Maryland (2)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • Oregon (2)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • Virginia (5)
  • Washington (2)

Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (17)
  • Austin Energy (15)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (15)
  • Elevate Energy (12)
  • Efficiency Maine (11)
  • Efficiency Vermont (11)
  • (-) EnergySmart Colorado (9)
  • Energy Upgrade California (9)
  • (-) Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (9)
  • RePower Bainbridge (9)
  • Community Power Works (8)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (8)
  • RePower Kitsap (8)
  • EnergySmart (7)
  • Michigan Saves (7)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (7)
  • RePower Bremerton (7)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (6)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (6)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (6)
  • Focus on Energy (5)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (5)
  • Energize Phoenix (4)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (3)
  • BetterBuildings for Greensboro (3)
  • EmPOWER Maryland (3)
  • EnergyWorks (3)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (3)
  • PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program (3)
  • (-) Be SMART (2)
  • Build It Green (2)
  • City of Fort Collins Utilities (2)
  • Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED) (2)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (2)
  • Energize Connecticut (2)
  • Energize New York (2)
  • Healthy Homes Incentive Program (2)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (2)
  • Long Island Green Homes (2)
  • Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (2)
  • Mass Save (2)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (2)
  • New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (2)
  • Public Service of New Hampshire (2)
  • Puget Sound Energy (2)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (2)
  • Seattle City Light (2)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (2)
  • Southern California Edison (2)
  • Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) (2)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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