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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

Have clear rules and systems for identifying and remedying contractor problems

Even with the best contractor partners, a program may sometimes encounter difficulties that require remediation. Consistent with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program principles, many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners discovered that they could address these difficulties by...
Tips for Success

Contractors are your sales team – educate and empower them with the skills to sell home energy upgrades

Many home performance programs have confronted the challenge of how to reach out to more customers and to improve conversion rates of customer interest into completed upgrades. Realizing that the contractor is a primary face-to-face link between customers and the program, some Better Buildings...
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

Aim for early wins that give the program experience and showcase upgrades as a way to attract customers

Several residential energy efficiency programs have successfully launched their efforts by focusing on completing early upgrades that build visibility for their program, create momentum, and allow programs to learn how to reach homeowners effectively. This early success provides results that the...
Tips for Success

Incentivize the action you want your customer to take

Successful programs know that it is not enough to get customers interested in their services. They know that homeowners that receive assessments but don’t undertake upgrades don’t receive the benefits of energy efficiency—and programs don’t get credit for energy savings. Instead of emphasizing...
Tips for Success

Provide customers with a single point of contact to help them through the upgrade process

While homeowners may be interested in the benefits of an energy upgrade, many are deterred from completing an upgrade project because of the complex and unknown process. Often, a significant portion of homeowners who receive energy assessments do not continue with the upgrades. As part of the Better...
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

Follow through with customers

Following up on leads that result from your marketing and outreach efforts quickly and consistently will help your program convert them from interested parties to satisfied customers. Many programs found a sizable drop-off in action if they or their contractors were not able to follow up within a...
Tips for Success

Engage media to garner attention and credibility

Many successful programs found that getting media attention for their offerings and benefits helped add credibility to marketing efforts and expand their reach. By positioning "green" stories or home improvement mini-segments on local television or radio stations, they provided timely content that...
Tips for Success

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

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

Workforce Development and Sales Training for Energy Efficiency Contractors

Author(s)
Elizabeth Stuart, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
Efficiency Vermont
This webcast reports on the energy efficiency services sector workforce size, expectations for growth, and training needs and features a case studies from Efficiency Vermont and Efficiency Maine.
Resource - Webcast

Keeping Up With Your Audience, So They Keep Up With Your Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) PowerSaver
This webcast discussed how market research can help spur demand for home energy efficiency programs.
Resource - Webcast

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

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

State of the Union: Best Practices from 'Most Improved' Energy Efficient States in 2016

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
Michigan Saves

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how recent policy changes have impacted residential energy efficiency program implementation. Speakers include Efficiency Maine, Michigan Environmental Council, and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.

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

Opportunities through the PowerSaver Loan Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on the features and eligibility of the PowerSaver Loan Program. 

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

Unique Fee-for-Service Revenues

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on unique fee-for-service revenues as related to program sustainability.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Moving Multifamily Buildings From Assessments to Upgrades

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Maine

This peer exchange call summary focused on moving from assessments to upgrades in multifamily buildings.

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

Program Management and Continuous Improvement for Financing Programs

Author(s)
Chris Lohmann, U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
emPowerSBC,
EnergySmart Colorado

Presentation providing an overview of financing programs, a strategy for continuous improvement, tools for program management, a risk management strategy, and common risks associated with financing programs.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Community-Based Social Marketing Toolkit

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Small Town Energy Program (STEP),
Baltimore Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Maine,
Energy Impact Illinois,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
CoMo Energy Challenge,
Empower Chattanooga,
Somerville Energy Efficiency Now!,
PG&E,
Seattle City Light,
City of Fort Collins

This toolkit describes how to strengthen residential energy efficiency program outreach and marketing efforts through data-driven, tailored efforts to change behaviors. One of the greatest challenges facing the residential energy efficiency market is motivating people to take steps to save energy. This toolkit provides guidance, resources, and examples for applying community-based social marketing (CBSM) to increase the number of homes that are energy efficient.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

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

Efficiency Maine Downloads and Forms Portal

Author(s)
Efficiency Maine
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

Efficiency Maine developed this online portal, where many of its program forms are available for download (e.g., program overviews and manuals, participation agreements, and related application materials).

Resource - Templates & Forms

Contractor Sales Training: Providing the Skills Necessary to Sell Comprehensive Home Energy Upgrades

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

This Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Clean Energy Policy Brief describes how adding sales skills to contractors' existing technical expertise helps convert more assessments into comprehensive home energy upgrades. It profiles Efficiency Maine's contractor sales training and includes a list of resources.

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

Overview of Marketing Methods for Local Retrofit Programs

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Cambridge Energy Alliance,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership,
WeatherizeDC
This report shares strategies for marketing local energy efficiency programs, particularly through focused messaging, leveraging partnerships, and social media.
Resource - Publications

Home Energy Savings Program Insight on Workforce Development

Author(s)
Dana Fischer, Efficiency Maine Trust
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

Insights from Efficiency Maine related to Workforce Development.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Insight from Maine Incentives

Author(s)
Efficiency Maine
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine
This presentation from Efficiency Maine shows early adopters and higher income residents tend to take advantage of large incentives, but smaller incentives may be a way to engage a broader range of income levels.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

What's Working in Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrade Programs: Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance

Author(s)
Andy Holzhauser, Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)
Presentation on the organization, funding structure, and market focus of the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Keeping It Simple from the Customer's Perspective - Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance

Author(s)
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)
Presentation describing the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance program and tactics used to drive demand and enhance service delivery to make the program simpler for customers.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Sample Energy Reduction Plan: 1234 Any Street

Author(s)
Efficiency Maine
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine
Sample energy reduction plan that details specific steps to be taken by the ownership and management at 1234 Any Street to achieve estimated energy savings based on an energy assessment.
Resource - Program Materials

Ivy Knoll Senior Retirement Community Invests with PACE

Author(s)
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

Ivy Knoll Senior Retirement Community used PACE financing to make significant building improvements of systems that were outdated or energy inefficient. Through PACE financing, Ivy Knoll management was able to select improvements that had the highest energy savings but also came with higher upfront costs for the 7-story, all-electric building.

Resource - Case Studies

Early Investment in Infrastructure is a Key to Success

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

In this video interview segment, Andy Holzhauser of Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance discusses the importance of making early investments in infrastructure (i.e., staff and technology).

Resource - Case Studies

20-Unit Windham Apartment Building Gains Energy Savings and Comfort

Author(s)
Efficiency Maine
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine
This case study highlights a 20-unit apartment building that gained energy savings and comfort through Efficiency Maine.
Resource - Case Studies

A Seven Unit Apartment Building in Bangor is more Energy Efficient and more Comfortable

Author(s)
Efficiency Maine
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine
This case study highlights the first project completed under Efficiency Maine's Multifamily Efficiency Program.
Resource - Case Studies

Spotlight on Maine: Contractor Sales Training Boosts Energy Upgrade Conversions

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

This case study explains how Efficiency Maine provided contractor sales training to boost upgrade conversions.

Resource - Case Studies

Spotlight on Maine: Transition to a Sustainable Level of Incentives

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine
This case study describes Efficiency Maine's Home Energy Savings Program (HESP), one of the few large residential energy efficiency programs that has attempted to navigate the transition from rebate-focused offerings to financing focused offerings that better align with its limited budget.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (30)
  • Tips for Success (11)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (5)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (13)
  • Marketing & Outreach (19)
  • Financing (7)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (8)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (8)
  • Strategy Development (34)
  • Planning (34)
  • (-) Implementation (41)
  • Evaluation (20)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Arizona (1)
  • California (2)
  • Colorado (5)
  • Connecticut (2)
  • Florida (3)
  • Illinois (2)
  • Maine (23)
  • Maryland (2)
  • Massachusetts (1)
  • Michigan (5)
  • Missouri (1)
  • Nebraska (1)
  • Nevada (1)
  • New York (2)
  • North Carolina (1)
  • Ohio (12)
  • Oregon (6)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • South Carolina (1)
  • Tennessee (1)
  • Texas (7)
  • Vermont (3)
  • Virginia (1)
  • Washington (3)
  • Wisconsin (1)

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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