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Motivate action through financial incentives and time-limited offers

Incentives can be the easiest approach to overcome motivation barriers and attract customers’ and contractors’ attention, as long as the upgrade and reimbursement processes are kept simple and easy to follow. Successful programs have found incentives help entice customers to complete upgrades...
Tips for Success

REEO Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities Webinar

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource,
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves,
ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program,
Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program,
Set the PACE St. Louis,
City of Chicago,
Energy Outreach Colorado,
Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program

This webinar covers the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities for Deep Energy Savings report published in 2016.n

Resource - Webcast

Designing Effective Incentives to Drive Residential Retrofit Program Participation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Maine,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Efficiency Vermont

This webcast covers information about designing effective incentives to drive residential retrofit program participation.

Resource - Webcast

Leveraging Partnerships with Faith-Based Organizations

Author(s)
Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith,
Paul C. Raver, Jr., Green Market Solutions,
Alexis Chase, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light's Power Wise,
GreenFaith,
Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program
This webcast explores how faith-based organizations and their partners have used energy efficiency as an organizing motivator to upgrade the institutional building and then members' homes.
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities for Deep Energy Savings

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource,
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves,
ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program,
Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program,
Set the PACE St. Louis,
City of Chicago,
Energy Outreach Colorado,
Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program

This report was developed to help inform national stakeholders about the strategies that have been used to achieve deep energy savings in the multifamily housing sector through energy efficiency upgrades. These strategies could be used as models in areas where utility program administrators and policymakers seek to achieve deep energy savings in the multifamily building stock for the purposes of reducing energy costs, creating comfortable and healthy homes, meeting regulatory requirements, or reducing the environmental impacts of energy consumption. This report includes a national multifamily market characterization, barriers and opportunities for program and policy efforts, and eight exemplary case studies from across the country.

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

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

Partnering with Utilities and Other Ratepayer-Funded Energy Efficiency Program Administrators

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Colorado ENERGY STAR Homes,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Silicon Valley Energy Watch Program,
The Home Energy Rebate Option,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
Efficiency Vermont,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
The objective of this document is to help state and local governments understand the role of program administrators (PAs) and assist them in developing successful partnerships with utility and other energy efficiency PAs. The majority of this paper presents information on partnering and leveraging current energy efficiency activities. However, it also includes information for governments in areas without active PAs, as well as an appendix with a case study describing how state and local governments can fill gaps and administer programs in the absence of a PA.
Resource - Publications

Going Beyond Code: A Guide to Creating Energy Efficient and Sustainable Buildings in the Southwest

Author(s)
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Publication Date
2008
Organizations or Programs
Buckeye Green Building Program,
Chandler Green Building Program,
Pima County Residential Green Building Program,
Scottsdale Green Building Program,
Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership,
Rohnert Park Green Building Program,
Green County San Bernardino,
Albuquerque Green Path Program,
City of Boulder,
CO,
Boulder County BuildSmart Program,
Nevada Sierra Green,
Santa Fe Residential Green Building Code,
Eagle County ECObuild,
Aspen & Pitkin County,
CO Efficient Building Program,
Austin Energy,
EnergySmart

This guide helps states and localities develop voluntary or mandatory programs that go well beyond minimum code requirements for new buildings. It addresses energy efficiency materials and resource conservation, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and site development and land use.

Resource - Publications

New Jersey's Clean Energy Program: Community Engagement as a Driver for Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
Chris Badger, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
This presentation describes the New Jersey Clean Energy program and lessons learned on community engagement as a driver of demand.
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 (20)
  • Tips for Success (1)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • (-) Market Position & Business Model (10)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (19)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (3)
  • (-) Marketing & Outreach (11)
  • Financing (3)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (7)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (1)
  • Strategy Development (16)
  • Planning (17)
  • Implementation (15)
  • Evaluation (2)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Alaska (1)
  • Arizona (4)
  • Arkansas (1)
  • California (3)
  • Colorado (3)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Delaware (1)
  • Florida (3)
  • Georgia (2)
  • Hawaii (1)
  • Illinois (5)
  • Kansas (1)
  • Kentucky (1)
  • Maine (3)
  • Manitoba (1)
  • Maryland (1)
  • Massachusetts (5)
  • Michigan (3)
  • Minnesota (2)
  • Missouri (5)
  • Montana (1)
  • Nevada (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Jersey (5)
  • New York (6)
  • North Carolina (1)
  • Ohio (1)
  • Oklahoma (1)
  • Oregon (5)
  • Pennsylvania (2)
  • Rhode Island (2)
  • South Dakota (1)
  • Texas (14)
  • Utah (1)
  • Vermont (3)
  • Virginia (1)
  • Washington (2)
  • Washington DC (3)
  • Wisconsin (3)

Organizations or Programs

  • Energy Upgrade California (36)
  • Enhabit (26)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (22)
  • (-) Austin Energy (16)
  • Efficiency Maine (15)
  • Efficiency Vermont (15)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (14)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (13)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (13)
  • RePower Bainbridge (13)
  • Elevate Energy (12)
  • Michigan Saves (12)
  • RePower Bremerton (12)
  • RePower Kitsap (12)
  • EnergyWorks (11)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (11)
  • Community Power Works (10)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (9)
  • Energize Phoenix (8)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (8)
  • Focus on Energy (8)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (7)
  • EnergySmart (7)
  • NOLA WISE (7)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (6)
  • Mass Save (6)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (6)
  • CharlestonWISE (5)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (5)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (5)
  • (-) New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (5)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (5)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (5)
  • Cambridge Energy Alliance (4)
  • Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) (4)
  • Small Town Energy Program (STEP) (4)
  • Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) (4)
  • Better Buildings Program San Jose (3)
  • Build It Green (3)
  • Community Energy Challenge (3)
  • emPowerSBC (3)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (3)
  • Green Works Orlando (3)
  • Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL) (3)
  • Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star (3)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (3)
  • PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program (3)
  • Puget Sound Energy (3)
  • reEnergize (3)
  • Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative (2)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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