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Develop data collection and evaluation plans in conjunction with program design

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that it was important to communicate during the program design phase with organizations and individuals that will collect or supply data for the evaluation. In this way, the involved individuals and organizations understand why the data is...
Tips for Success

Establish data sharing relationships as early as possible

Though potentially challenging, establishing relationships for sharing energy consumption data is critical for evaluating program impact on energy and cost savings. Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found success by approaching utilities during the program planning phase, or at...
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

Develop partnerships based on an alignment of goals, strong collaboration, and consistent communication

Programs that have developed strong and lasting partnerships have done so by identifying shared goals and seeking ways in which programs and partners can mutually benefit by advancing each other's missions. Even if partners don’t have the same goals as your program, you can still try to find ways to...
Tips for Success

Consider tiered financing or rebates to encourage deeper upgrades

Without an incentive, homeowners and contractors may limit themselves to smaller upgrade projects. Programs in search of more energy savings have found that some homeowners already interested in an upgrade are amenable to a bigger upgrade when coupled with better financing terms or larger rebates...
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

Promote existing loan products when possible before developing new ones

Developing new energy efficiency loan products requires financial expertise and resources that not every program has available or that might not even be necessary. Finding and promoting existing energy efficiency loan products, such as loans that may be offered by a local credit union, your state...
Tips for Success

Communicate with audiences at least three times; once is not enough

All residential energy efficiency programs have found that outreach needs to be repeated to connect with and remind potential participants about program offerings. As marketing gurus note, the majority of people need to be exposed to a product message at least three times (on separate occasions) to...
Tips for Success

Streamline the financing process with easy loan applications and quick approvals

Complicated loan and program application processes have deterred many potential customers from following through with an upgrade. Delays and overly burdensome requirements raise barriers to participation. Many programs have successfully employed strategies to reduce the number of requirements that...
Tips for Success

Language matters – use words that resonate with your target audience

Words have power, so many programs decided to use language with positive associations. For example, the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program encouraged use of the term "assessment" instead of "audit" to avoid the negative connotation of a tax audit. "Home energy upgrade" sounds more positive than...
Tips for Success

Financial Program Management for Continuous Improvement

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado,
emPowerSBC
This webcast discussed financial program management.
Resource - Webcast

Contractor Sales Training

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks,
Efficiency Maine,
BetterBuildings for Michigan

This peer exchange call summary focused on sales training assistance programs for contractors.

Resource - Topical Presentations

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

Mastermind Session: EnergyWorks Philadelphia

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on loan product structure and using market research to identify candidates for upgrades of occupied commercial 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

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

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

Energy Efficiency Residential Marketing Keep it Simple. Keep it Focused.

Author(s)
Nancy L. Hohns, EnergyWorks
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
This presentation describes the brand, messaging strategy, and campaign tactics used by Philadelphia EnergyWorks to reach its target audience.
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

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

City of Greensboro Request for Proposal: Business Process Management Information Technology Tool

Author(s)
BetterBuildings for Greensboro
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Greensboro
Example Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide The City of Greensboro with an estimate for the work required to create a Business Process Management Information Technology Tool (BPM IT Tool) for a municipal energy efficiency project.
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

Request for Proposals for the EnergyWorks Public Information and Marketing Campaign for the City of Philadelphia

Author(s)
City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
This is a sample request for proposals (RFP) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for public information and marketing support.
Resource - Program Materials

Marketing and Outreach Partnerships

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
In this video interview segment, Liz Robinson with EnergyWorks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, talks about the faith-based partnerships EnergyWorks developed to help promote the program.
Resource - Case Studies

EnergyWorks Grabs Attention in Calm and Stormy Weather with Intuitive Ads

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
EnergyWorks' phased marketing campaign appeals to Philadelphia homeowners based on the current weather conditions.
Resource - Case Studies

In the City of Brotherly Love, Sharing Know-How Leads to Sustainability

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
Philadelphia EnergyWorks helped sustain future programs by sharing marketing insights and program data with a local utility partner.
Resource - Case Studies

Low-Interest Rates Entice Philadelphians to Reach for the Stars

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergyWorks
Outlines Philadelphia's EnergyWorks program's use of low-interest loans to incentivize homeowners by tying the interest rate to the number of energy efficiency measures incorporated into the home.
Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (20)
  • Tips for Success (10)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (3)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (7)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (4)
  • Marketing & Outreach (11)
  • Financing (13)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (2)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (5)
  • Strategy Development (20)
  • Planning (15)
  • Implementation (17)
  • Evaluation (5)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (1)
  • Arizona (2)
  • California (4)
  • Colorado (2)
  • Florida (1)
  • Georgia (1)
  • Louisiana (2)
  • Maine (2)
  • Maryland (1)
  • Michigan (2)
  • North Carolina (6)
  • Ohio (1)
  • Oregon (5)
  • Pennsylvania (18)
  • Texas (1)
  • Virginia (3)

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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