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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

Maintain a sufficient workforce from program launch into program maturity

Your program will rely on its contractor base in order to succeed, so take steps to ensure that the capacity of the workforce is sufficient to launch your program and to maintain it as it grows. An evaluation of over 140 programs found that successful programs fostered and maintained relationships...
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

Provide materials and training to ensure data quality, consistency, and accuracy

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that it is important to get buy-in from program staff and contractors on the importance of data integrity to the program mission and then to invest time to develop materials and train everyone who has a role in data collection and analysis...
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

Adapt messages to your primary target audience’s needs

Many programs found that market research can help identify, segment, and characterize audiences to understand how to prioritize them. A comprehensive evaluation of over 140 programs across the United States found that programs had greater success when they identified specific target populations...
Tips for Success

How to Design and Market Energy Efficiency Programs to Specific Neighborhoods

Author(s)
Michelle Leigh, County of Volusia, Florida,
Andrea Petzel, City of Seattle, Washington,
Lilah Glick, Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works,
Volusia County,
FL,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

This webcast offers information on successful marketing strategies, as well as design considerations and market research insights for creating and marketing successful projects in specific neighborhoods.

Resource - Webcast

Training: How to get Results - What Matters, What Doesn't

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
New Mexico Energy$mart,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Community Power Works

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on strategies for contractor training.

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

Programs: Operating as a Prime Contractor

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
SustainableWorks,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
CharlestonWISE

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on the challenges, strategies and advantages of  operating as a prime contractor.

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

Green for All Energy Efficiency Toolkit

Author(s)
Green For All
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC),
EnergyWorks KC,
Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge,
BetterBuildings for Greensboro,
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative,
Working Partnerships USA,
NYC Apollo Alliance,
Community Power Works,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
RePower Bremerton,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
RePower Bainbridge,
Better Buildings Near Eastside Neighborhood Sweeps Program,
RePower Kitsap,
Michigan Saves,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
EnergySmart,
Efficiency Vermont,
Long Island Green Homes,
Energy Impact Illinois,
Energize Bedford,
reEnergize

This practitioner-focused Toolkit for Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrade Programs was created by Green For All to assist new, established, and future energy efficiency programs launch and scale initiatives that can deliver the full promise of the green economy. It is intended as a practical resource that offers examples, tools, and templates that a program manager can deploy to implement a variety of aspects of their program including best practice briefs and summary documents, RFPs, contracts, and other program design and implementation templates that communities nationwide have used to create their own efficiency programs.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Home Energy Makeover Contests: Who Are the Winners and Losers in Motivating Existing Homeowners to Make "Whole House" Energy Saving Improvements

Author(s)
UtilityExchange.org,
Building Performance Institute
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Atlanta SHINE,
DecaturWISE,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Energy Upgrade California,
Help My House,
FirstEnergy,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
NOLA WISE

This paper first details industry best practices for contest administration, including tips for developing an overall contest plan and timeline, product sponsor recruitment, building a dynamic informational website, maximizing customer participation, selecting the winning home, seamless installation management, capturing and documenting project results, conducting a high profile media open house and facilitating customer workshops that educate homeowners and strengthen trade ally relationships. This paper then presents results and key lessons learned from more than 20 contests supported with funds from local community sustainability programs, utility energy efficiency programs, and U.S. Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds between 2008 and 2012.

Resource - Publications

Job Quality, Equitable Access and Quality Assurance Standards in Leading Residential Weatherization Programs

Author(s)
Community Benefits Law Center
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
New Jersey Weatherization Assistance Program,
Delaware Weatherization Assistance Program,
Washington State Energy Program,
Community Power Works,
Santa Clara County AB811 Pilot Program

Summary of the standards that support job quality, equitable access and quality assurance in several residential energy efficiency programs from different parts of the country.

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

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

Request for Proposals for Energy Efficiency Loan Products

Author(s)
Dan Curry, BetterBuildings for Greensboro
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Greensboro

This presentation provides an overview of the lending RFP issued by the city of Greensboro's Better Buildings Program, including a description of the roles and responsibilities for the city and its financial partners.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Community Power Works of Seattle Planning Presentation

Author(s)
Community Power Works
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This planning document from Community Power Works of Seattle, Washington, includes flow charts and tables designed to help guide both the initial launch of the program, which includes setting goals, and its ongoing development.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

City of Greensboro Better Buildings Project: Market Assessment

Author(s)
Environmental Finance Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Greensboro
This market assessment for the City of Greensboro, North Carolina identifies the customers and potential demand for an energy efficiency upgrade financing program.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Expanding North Carolina Energy Efficiency and Renewable Lending Programs: Market Snapshot

Author(s)
Environmental Finance Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Greensboro,
Charlotte NC,
CarrboroWISE,
Chapel Hill WISE,
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA),
Raleigh NC,
Asheville NC

This market assessment evaluates lending options for funding energy efficiency upgrades in North Carolina.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Using Data to Monitor Market Transformation - Charleston WISE

Author(s)
Betsy Kleinfelder, The Sustainability Institute
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
CharlestonWISE
As part of its "intentional learning" process, Charleston WISE collects information from homeowners that helps the program systematically test assumptions and implement continuous improvement.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Community High-Road Agreement for Seattle's Residential Retrofit Programs

Author(s)
Community Power Works
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works

This agreement outlines the goals, contractor standards, hiring standards, training program standards, and procedures for contractor participation in Seattle's Community Power Works program. As a "high-road" agreement, the employment and contracting standards are designed to ensure broad access to economic opportunities for all types of businesses and workers, support training on sustainable career paths, and ensure high-quality work.

Resource - Program Materials

Sample RFP: Greensboro Energy Efficiency Loan Products

Author(s)
BetterBuildings for Greensboro
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Greensboro

A sample RFP from Greensboro, North Carolina, for energy efficiency loan products.

Resource - Program Materials

Program Design Flowchart for Greensboro, North Carolina

Author(s)
BetterBuildings for Greensboro
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Greensboro

Example of a program design flowchart showing key steps and relationships for the energy efficiency program in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Resource - Program Materials

Seattle Community Power Works Implementation Plan

Author(s)
Community Power Works
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
Example of an implementation plan developed by Seattle's Community Power Works at the beginning of the implementation of its Better Buildings Neighborhood Program.
Resource - Program Materials

Data-Driven Mailing Helps Heat Up Untapped Seattle Market

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This case study explains how Community Power Works segmented its primary audience by focusing on owners of oil-heated homes with great results. This case study shares the program's outreach strategy and tactics for recruiting owners of oil-heated homes.
Resource - Case Studies

Spotlight on Seattle, Washington: Community Partnerships Work to Extend Program Reach

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This case study shares how Seattle's Community Power Works engaged a vast network of partners to build on existing capacity and knowledge, extending the reach of its program in a short period of time.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (21)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (3)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (9)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (4)
  • Marketing & Outreach (10)
  • Financing (8)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (10)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (2)
  • (-) Strategy Development (20)
  • Planning (16)
  • (-) Implementation (17)
  • Evaluation (7)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Arizona (3)
  • California (3)
  • Florida (2)
  • Illinois (1)
  • Kansas (1)
  • Maine (1)
  • Maryland (3)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Missouri (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Mexico (1)
  • New York (2)
  • North Carolina (5)
  • Ohio (1)
  • Oregon (4)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • South Carolina (2)
  • Texas (2)
  • Washington (14)

Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (61)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (38)
  • Energy Upgrade California (34)
  • Efficiency Maine (32)
  • Austin Energy (31)
  • Michigan Saves (25)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (24)
  • RePower Bainbridge (24)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (23)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (21)
  • RePower Kitsap (21)
  • Efficiency Vermont (20)
  • RePower Bremerton (20)
  • (-) Community Power Works (19)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (19)
  • Elevate Energy (19)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (19)
  • EnergySmart (18)
  • EnergyWorks (18)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (15)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (14)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (11)
  • Focus on Energy (10)
  • Energize Phoenix (9)
  • Mass Save (9)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (9)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (8)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (8)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (7)
  • Be SMART (7)
  • (-) BetterBuildings for Greensboro (7)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (7)
  • Energize Connecticut (7)
  • Long Island Green Homes (7)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (7)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (7)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (7)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (6)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (6)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (6)
  • New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (6)
  • NOLA WISE (6)
  • reEnergize (6)
  • Cambridge Energy Alliance (5)
  • (-) CharlestonWISE (5)
  • Small Town Energy Program (STEP) (5)
  • Build It Green (4)
  • Community Energy Challenge (4)
  • Energize Delaware (4)
  • Kansas How$mart (4)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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