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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

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

Green with Envy: Neighbor Comparisons and Social Norms in Five Home Energy Report Programs

Author(s)
Kira Ashby and Hilary Forster, Consortium for Energy Efficiency,
Bruce Ceniceros, Sacramento Municipal Utility District,
Bobbi Wilhelm, Puget Sound Energy,
Kim Friebel, Commonwealth Edison,
Rachel Henschel, National Grid,
Shahana Samiullah, Southern California Edison
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
National Grid,
Southern California Edison,
Puget Sound Energy,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED)

This paper explores ways in which program administrators are using social norms to spur behavior change and, as a result, curb energy use. In recent years, home energy reports (HER) programs have applied the concept of social norms to the energy efficiency context. These feedback programs inform customers of how their energy consumption compares to their neighbors' and provide other information about their usage, with the goal of enticing customers to change their energy use behavior to improve their relative neighborhood ranking.

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

State Energy Efficiency Program Evaluation Inventory

Author(s)
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
AEP Ohio,
Alabama Power Company,
Alleghany Power,
Alliant-IPL,
Ameren Illinois Utilities,
Ameren Missouri,
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation,
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company,
Black Hills Energy,
Board of Public Utilities,
Bonneville Power Administration,
Centerpoint Energy Arkansas Gas,
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED),
Consumers Energy Company,
Connecticut Energy Conservation Management Board,
Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility,
Delmarva Power & Light,
Detroit Edison Company,
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company,
Dominion North Carolina Power,
DP&L,
Duke Energy,
Duquesne Light,
Efficiency Maine,
Efficiency United,
Efficiency Vermont,
Empire District Electric Company,
Entergy Arkansas,
Entergy New Orleans,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Eummot,
Florida Public Service Commission,
Hawaii Public Utilities Commission,
Idaho Power,
Kansas City Power & Light,
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA),
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources,
NSTAR,
National Grid,
Massachusetts Cape Light Compact,
Massachusetts Department Of Energy Resources,
Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council,
Maryland Public Service Commission,
Metropolitan Edison Company,
Michigan Electric Cooperative Association,
Mid-American Energy,
Nevada Power Company,
New Hampshire Utilities,
Northwestern Energy,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Oklahoma Corporation Commission,
Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company,
Pacific Power,
PacifiCorp,
Peco Energy Company,
Pennsylvania Electric Company,
Pepco,
PNM,
Potomac Edison,
PPL Electric Utilities,
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC),
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC),
Progress Energy Carolinas,
Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC),
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission,
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO),
Puget Sound Energy,
Rhode Island Energy Efficiency and Resource Management,
RMP,
Rocky Mountain Power,
Salt River Project,
Sierra Pacific Power Company,
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO),
SourceGas Arkansas,
South Carolina Electric & Gas,
Southwestern Gas Corporation,
Southwestern Electric Power Company,
State Corporation Commission,
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA),
Toledo Edison,
Ohio Edison,
United Illuminating,
West Pen Power Co,
Xcel Energy
For this inventory, EIA reviewed and catalogued 329 data sources containing state energy efficiency program evaluation results into an inventory. The focus of this inventory is to support the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) and to research cost information in state-mandated energy efficiency program evaluations.
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

Model Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2007
Organizations or Programs
National Grid,
New York Energy $mart Program,
Focus on Energy

This guide describes a structure and several model approaches for calculating energy, demand, and emissions savings resulting from energy efficiency programs that are implemented by cities, states, utilities, companies, and similar entities.

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

Impact Evaluation of 2014 EnergyWise Single Family Program

Author(s)
DNV GL
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
National Grid

This report presents the results of the evaluation of National Grid Rhode Island's 2014 EnergyWise program. EnergyWise is designed to achieve energy savings in single family (1-4 unit) residential homes by directly installing efficient lightbulbs and water heating measures, providing devices for homeowner use, and offering building shell retrofit rebates.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

National Grid Rhode Island Multifamily Impact Evaluation

Author(s)
DNV GL
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
National Grid

This report provides the electric and natural gas impacts from the suite of National Grid Multifamily Retrofit Programs as determined through a billing analysis.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Summary of the Massachusetts Behavioral Program Impact Evaluations

Author(s)
Navigant Consulting, Inc.,
ILLUME Advising, LLC
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
National Grid,
Eversource

This report summarizes the impact analyses of National Grid's and Eversource Energy's Home Energy Report (HER) programs. The evaluation team conducted three distinct impact analyses related to these HER programs: Cohort-Specific Impact Analysis; Mapping Analysis; and Dual Treatment Analysis.

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

Seattle Community Power Works Fall 2012 Progress Report

Author(s)
Washington State University Energy Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This mid-program evaluation includes extensive analysis of program sectors, including results of surveys of participants, and summarizes lessons learned to date.
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

Community Power Works Monthly Indicator Dashboard, March 2015

Author(s)
Community Power Works
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works

The Community Power Works program in Seattle, WA uses a program dashboard to track progress against targets. This is an example dashboard from March 2015, which is updated on a monthly basis with progress toward goals for sign-ups, energy audits, home energy upgrades, and energy savings.

Resource - Program Materials

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

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 (22)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (2)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (9)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (11)
  • Marketing & Outreach (10)
  • Financing (4)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (11)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (2)
  • Strategy Development (12)
  • Planning (11)
  • Implementation (13)
  • Evaluation (11)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Arizona (3)
  • California (3)
  • Florida (2)
  • Illinois (2)
  • Kansas (1)
  • Maine (1)
  • Maryland (3)
  • Massachusetts (2)
  • Missouri (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Mexico (1)
  • New York (2)
  • Ohio (2)
  • Oregon (4)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • Rhode Island (2)
  • Texas (2)
  • Washington (16)

Organizations or Programs

  • Enhabit (64)
  • Energy Upgrade California (49)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (45)
  • Efficiency Maine (37)
  • Austin Energy (34)
  • Michigan Saves (28)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (26)
  • RePower Bainbridge (25)
  • Efficiency Vermont (24)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (24)
  • Elevate Energy (23)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (23)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (23)
  • RePower Kitsap (22)
  • (-) Community Power Works (21)
  • RePower Bremerton (21)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (20)
  • EnergySmart (20)
  • EnergyWorks (20)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (16)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (15)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (15)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (13)
  • Focus on Energy (12)
  • Energize Phoenix (11)
  • Energize Connecticut (9)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (9)
  • Mass Save (9)
  • BetterBuildings for Greensboro (8)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (8)
  • NOLA WISE (8)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (8)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (8)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (7)
  • Be SMART (7)
  • Long Island Green Homes (7)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (7)
  • (-) National Grid (7)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (7)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (7)
  • CharlestonWISE (6)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (6)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (6)
  • New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (6)
  • reEnergize (6)
  • Build It Green (5)
  • Cambridge Energy Alliance (5)
  • Community Energy Challenge (5)
  • emPowerSBC (5)
  • Energize New York (5)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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