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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

Good news is addictive – spread news about program accomplishments widely and often

Successful programs use many channels to communicate accomplishments and results to stakeholders. These include word of mouth and products such as press releases, announcements on websites, case studies, and presentations. Many programs use earned media—especially local media when possible—by giving...
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

Make upgrade benefits visible by showcasing completed projects and actual results

Unlike remodeling projects, home energy upgrade benefits are generally not immediately visible to the casual observer. Strategies that demonstrate tangible benefits from upgrades can help increase understanding and motivation with potential customers. To help energy efficiency become real, some...
Tips for Success

Peer Exchange Call: Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Home Energy Score Integration

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Focus on Energy,
Energize Connecticut,
Columbia Water & Light

Focus on Energy, Columbia Water & Light, and utilities from the Energize Connecticut program share how they integrate and implement the Home Energy Score and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs.

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

Who's Got Game? Interactive Customer Engagement Strategies

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Consumers Energy Smart Energy Challenge,
Focus on Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on key challenges and opportunities to deploy interactive engagement strategies including customer segmentation, loyalty and reward programs, and gamification. It features speakers from Fiveworx, ICF International, and Cool Choices.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Generating Demand for Multifamily Building Upgrades

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Focus on Energy,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
Mass Save

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on approaches to generate demand for energy efficiency upgrades at multifamily buildings.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Saving Watts to Save Drops: Inclusion of Water Efficiency in Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2018
Organizations or Programs
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Focus on Energy,
Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO),
Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company,
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E),
NV Energy

This study provides an overview of practices for quantifying and reporting avoided energy-water costs from demand-side measures. It also summarizes the regulatory guidance for incorporating water savings into cost-effectiveness screening for energy efficiency programs.

Resource - Publications

Behaving Ourselves: How Behavior Change Insights Are Being Applied to Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
Kira Ashby, Consortium for Energy Efficiency,
Monica Nevius, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority,
Bruce Ceniceros, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Pepco Holdings' Home Performance with Energy Audits Program,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Public Service of New Hampshire,
PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program,
FortisBC’s 20/20 Challenge Program,
Focus on Energy

This paper describes a wide variety of behavior change insights potentially applicable to the energy efficiency program context, provides examples of efficiency programs that have applied these insights, and explores some untapped opportunities to achieve energy savings through behavior change.

Resource - Publications

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

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

Better Buildings Residential Network Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No.4

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart,
Bend Energy Challenge,
Mass Save,
Focus on Energy,
Enhabit

This document summarizes top marketing and outreach takeaways shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members during spring 2015 Peer Exchange Calls.

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

Trusted Partners: Everyday Energy Efficiency Across the South

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
NOLA WISE

This report describes ACEEE's Deep South Ethnographic Project, which aimed to answer an overarching question: are end-users of energy in the Southeastern states interested in energy efficiency? This report includes the demographics of ACEEE's informants and responses to a set of questions about energy usage, bills, and money. The report also includes individual case studies from five different sites.

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

Home Energy Makeover Contests: Who Are the Winners and Losers in Motivating Existing Homeowners to Make "Whole House" Energy Saving Improvements

Author(s)
UtilityExchange.org,
Building Performance Institute
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Atlanta SHINE,
DecaturWISE,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Energy Upgrade California,
Help My House,
FirstEnergy,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
NOLA WISE

This paper first details industry best practices for contest administration, including tips for developing an overall contest plan and timeline, product sponsor recruitment, building a dynamic informational website, maximizing customer participation, selecting the winning home, seamless installation management, capturing and documenting project results, conducting a high profile media open house and facilitating customer workshops that educate homeowners and strengthen trade ally relationships. This paper then presents results and key lessons learned from more than 20 contests supported with funds from local community sustainability programs, utility energy efficiency programs, and U.S. Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds between 2008 and 2012.

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

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

Existing Homes Program Guide

Author(s)
Consortium for Energy Efficiency
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
Ameren Illinois Utilities,
Avista Utilities,
BC Hydro,
Cape Light Compact,
All-Electric Home Performance Tune-Up,
Efficiency Vermont,
New Jersey Natural Gas,
Northeast Utilities Home Energy Solutions,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
PSE&G Whole House Energy Efficiency Program,
Vectren Energy Delivery's Home Energy Savings Program,
Focus on Energy

This guide provides background on the home improvement market in the U.S. and Canada and end users and systems in existing homes, as well as a description of energy efficiency program approaches and strategies.

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

Wisconsin Focus on Energy 2017 Technical Reference Manual

Author(s)
The Cadmus Group, Inc.
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Focus on Energy

This Technical Reference Manual (TRM) defines the consensus calculations of the electric and natural gas energy savings and the electric demand reductions, achieved from installing energy efficiency and renewable energy measures that are supported by Focus on Energy programs.

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

Designing Custom Messages for Specific Markets: Global Green New Orleans

Author(s)
Global Green New Orleans
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Global Green New Orleans,
NOLA WISE

This presentation describes the Global Green New Orleans program and lessons learned about designing custom messages for specific markets.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

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

Focus on Energy Trade Ally and Co-Branding Guidelines

Author(s)
Focus on Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy created these co-branding and logo requirements that trade allies, or participating contractors, must adhere to when creating marketing materials related to the program.

Resource - Program Materials

New Jersey's Clean Energy Program: Making it Work for Contractors & Programs

Author(s)
New Jersey Clean Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

This presentation provides an overview of New Jersey Clean Energy's approach to contractor engagement, including contractor participation requirements, procedures for quality assurance and quality control, production incentives, training procedures, and an online contractor portal.

Resource - Program Materials

Engaging Neighbors Through Home Energy Showcases

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

In this video interview segment, Elizabeth Galante of NOLA WISE (New Orleans, Louisiana, Worthwhile Investments Save Energy), describes the program's home energy showcases, which were a successful marketing initiative that helped entice homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades.

Resource - Case Studies

Content Type

  • Resource (28)
  • Tips for Success (4)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (4)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (9)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (9)
  • Marketing & Outreach (17)
  • Financing (1)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (1)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (2)
  • Strategy Development (14)
  • Planning (15)
  • Implementation (18)
  • Evaluation (13)

States or Territories

  • Arizona (3)
  • Arkansas (1)
  • British Columbia (1)
  • California (8)
  • Colorado (2)
  • Connecticut (1)
  • Florida (1)
  • Georgia (2)
  • Illinois (3)
  • Louisiana (6)
  • Maine (1)
  • Massachusetts (5)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Minnesota (1)
  • Missouri (1)
  • Nevada (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Jersey (4)
  • New York (2)
  • Ohio (2)
  • Oregon (4)
  • Pennsylvania (2)
  • Rhode Island (3)
  • Texas (1)
  • Vermont (1)
  • Virginia (1)
  • Washington (1)
  • Washington DC (1)
  • Wisconsin (9)

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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