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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

Offer homeowners multiple types of assessments

Several successful residential energy efficiency programs offered multiple types of home energy assessments to appeal to a wider spectrum of homeowner interests and needs. These ranged from online home assessments to brief walk-throughs to full diagnostic testing. A comprehensive evaluation of over...
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

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

Partnering with Utilities Part 1 -- Successful Partnerships and Lessons from the Field

Author(s)
Jennifer Clymer, ICF International,
Philip LaMay, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,
Christian Williss, Denver, Colorado,
Sharon Procopio, Denver, Colorado
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Denver Energy Challenge
This webcast served as a roundtable for communities to describe successful partnerships between local governments and utilities that enabled the local governments to implement new clean energy programs or enhance existing ones.
Resource - Webcast

The Dog Days of Summer: Capitalizing on the Pet Market

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how pet-based marketing can promote residential energy efficiency.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Using Social Media for Long Term Branding

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Denver Energy Challenge,
Energy Impact Illinois

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on using social media for long-term branding and marketing.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Working with Real Estate Home Inspectors, Exterminators, and Other Nontraditional Partners

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on leveraging home inspectors and others in the real estate transaction processes.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Tracking and Using Data to Support Revenue Streams

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart,
Denver Energy Challenge

This peer exchange call summary focused on tracking and using data to support revenue streams.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Information Technology Tools for Multifamily Building Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergySmart Colorado

This peer exchange call summary focused on multifamily information technology tools for project information, marketing, assessment, tracking and evaluation.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Social Media Tools & Strategies

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

This presentation provides a list of resources and tips for running a social media campaign.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Boulder, Colorado's SmartRegs: Minimum Performance Standards for Residential Rental Housing

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
In 2011 the City of Boulder, Colorado enacted its “SmartRegs” ordinances that require all single family and multifamily rental properties to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by January 2019. The SmartRegs initiative is designed to help the city achieve its ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals and to improve the quality, safety, and marketability of Boulder’s rental housing stock.
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

The Energy Advisor Model: Lessons Learned

Author(s)
Dave Hatchimonji, EnergySmart
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Overview of lessons learned from EnergySmart Colorado's energy advisor model.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

EnergySmart Program Progress Review

Author(s)
Navigant, Inc. (Prepared for Boulder County)
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This progress report provides community members and others interested in EnergySmart with a clear snapshot of its progress. The report also provides a timeline of energy efficiency policies and programs in Boulder County.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

The Leadership Academy: Motivating Contractors to Participate

Author(s)
Gary R. Myers, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
This presentation explains how to engage and motivate contractors and utility companies through the use of commitments, creating a dynamic program that they can become involved with, and the setting of standards for contractors.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Turning Around Your Residential Program: Lessons Learned - City and County of Denver

Author(s)
Elizabeth Babcock, City and County of Denver, Colorado
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Denver Energy Challenge
This presentation highlights key plan elements that helped a Denver energy efficiency program reorient toward success.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Using Data to Monitor Market Transformation

Author(s)
Melissa Glickman, Boulder County, Colorado (now EnergySmart)
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

EnergySmart Colorado uses surveys and a customer database to get feedback from homeowners that helps fine-tune program services and operations.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

March Energy Madness

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Denver Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
Energize Delaware,
Watt Watchers,
Empower Chattanooga,
Energy Upgrade California

This presentation includes examples of 16 programs' creative marketing materials.  The Better Buildings Residential Network held a March Madness tournament to find the most creative residential energy efficiency messages during March Peer Exchange Calls. Sixteen marketing campaigns were featured in a bracket challenge on the calls, and participants made their picks. Residential Network member the Fuel Fund of Maryland was chosen as the winning message for its Watt Watchers campaign.

Resource - Program Materials

EnergySmart 2014 Marketing Plan and Implementation Guide

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This marketing plan describes a social mobilization approach that leverages social networking, including social media, and word-of-mouth marketing to raise awareness and drive customers to program services. It provides strategies and tactics to target audiences most likely to participate, building on market research and audience segmentation to develop a message platform specifically designed to address their key motivating factors and barriers.

Resource - Program Materials

EnergySmart Residential Survey

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example survey about a homeowner's experience with a visit from an energy advisor as part of EnergySmart in Boulder County, Colorado.

Resource - Program Materials

Boulder County Request for Proposal: Colorado Retrofit Ramp-Up Support Services

Author(s)
Boulder County, Colorado
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide Boulder County, Colorado with support services for its Retrofit Ramp Up Program including a social mobilization campaign, database management services, and marketing/public relations services for the both the residential and commercial parts of the Program.

Resource - Program Materials

EnergySmart Colorado Assessment Process: Analyst Flowchart

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This contractor process flowchart from EnergySmart Colorado includes the phases of contractor qualifications review and preparation, site work, and follow up.

Resource - Program Materials

Sample RFP: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

A sample request for proposals from Boulder County, Colorado, to develop an energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate program.

Resource - Program Materials

Program Design Flowchart for Eagle County, Colorado

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
Example of a program design flowchart showing key steps and relationships for the energy efficiency program in Eagle County, Colorado.
Resource - Program Materials

Project Implementation Plan: Colorado Retrofit Ramp-Up Project

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example of an implementation plan developed by EnergySmart Colorado at the beginning of the implementation of its Better Buildings Neighborhood Program.

Resource - Program Materials

Strategic Marketing Services RFP

Author(s)
Eagle County, Colorado
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
This is a sample request for proposals (RFP) from Eagle County, Colorado, for marketing services.
Resource - Program Materials

Focus Series: Energy Advisor Program Helps Homeowners Go the Extra Mile in Mile-High City

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Denver Energy Challenge

This case study discusses Denver Energy Challenge's adjustment from focusing on door-to-door outreach to an energy advisor model that allowed customers to receive one on one support throughout the home energy upgrade process.

Resource - Case Studies

Financing Tool Fits the Bill

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

Clean Energy Works Oregon's (now Enhabit's) experience implementing an on-bill financing program.

Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (25)
  • Tips for Success (4)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (2)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (11)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (7)
  • Marketing & Outreach (13)
  • Financing (5)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (2)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (3)
  • Strategy Development (18)
  • Planning (15)
  • Implementation (18)
  • Evaluation (7)

States or Territories

  • Alaska (1)
  • Arizona (1)
  • California (4)
  • (-) Colorado (29)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Delaware (1)
  • Illinois (1)
  • Maine (1)
  • Maryland (2)
  • Massachusetts (2)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Missouri (1)
  • New York (1)
  • Nova Scotia (1)
  • Ohio (2)
  • Oregon (2)
  • Vermont (1)
  • Washington (1)

Organizations or Programs

  • (-) EnergySmart Colorado (20)
  • EnergySmart (14)
  • Enhabit (9)
  • (-) Denver Energy Challenge (8)
  • Elevate Energy (7)
  • Michigan Saves (7)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (6)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (5)
  • Energy Upgrade California (4)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (4)
  • City of Fort Collins Utilities (3)
  • Efficiency Maine (3)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (3)
  • Bend Energy Challenge (2)
  • Build It Green (2)
  • City of Chicago (2)
  • ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program (2)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (2)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (2)
  • Empower Chattanooga (2)
  • Energize Delaware (2)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (2)
  • EnergyWorks (2)
  • Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program (2)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (2)
  • Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program (2)
  • Mass Save (2)
  • NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad (2)
  • RePower Bainbridge (2)
  • Seattle City Light (2)
  • Set the PACE St. Louis (2)
  • Watt Watchers (2)
  • Arizona Public Service (APS) (1)
  • Austin Energy (1)
  • Built Green Colorado (1)
  • (-) Cambridge Energy Alliance (1)
  • Efficiency Vermont (1)
  • Energize Connecticut (1)
  • Energize New York (1)
  • Energize Phoenix (1)
  • EnergyLogic (1)
  • Focus on Energy (1)
  • ICAST’s ResourceSmart initiative (1)
  • Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star (1)
  • Kansas How$mart (1)
  • NOLA WISE (1)
  • RePower Kitsap (1)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (1)
  • Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) (1)
  • Texas LoanSTAR (1)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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