Skip to main content
Energy.gov Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Residential Program Guide
  • About
  • Common Topics

Secondary

  • Explore Residential Guide
    • Handbook Index
    • Program Components
    • Program Design Phases
  • Resources
    • Quick Answers
    • Proven Practices
    • Energy Data Facts
    • Tips For Success
    • Resource Library
    • Glossary
  • Tech Solutions
    • About Tech Solutions
    • HVAC
    • Heat Pump Water Heater

Breadcrumbs

EERE » Residential Program Guide » Common Search Topics » Search by Topic

Page title

Search by Topic

Showing results 1 - 33 of 33

Recognize and reward good contractor performance

Many programs used the information they gathered through their quality assurance efforts to recognize contractors that deliver consistent, high-quality work. Rewarding good contractor performance can help you build trust, strengthen partnerships, and boost workforce morale. You can incentivize...
Tips for Success

Ask customers about their program experience and for feedback on how your program can improve—and listen to their responses

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that conducting surveys of program participants that focus on tangible, easy-to-answer questions, such as the timeliness of service and the quality of work, resulted in better feedback. By including open-ended questions and questions about non...
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

Leverage financial sector marketing channels

Lenders can be a valuable partner for programs in marketing loan products and driving demand for home energy upgrades. They are often a trusted source of information in a community, and they have access to potential customers and partners such as existing customers, loan aggregators, and large...
Tips for Success

Engage with potential lending partners early, and make a clear business case for their involvement

Some lenders perceive home energy lending to be too risky or not profitable enough for them to get involved. Programs have found that engaging potential lending partners early in the program design process, especially in face-to-face meetings, helped them understand both lender needs and the risks...
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

How to Design a Community Energy Alliance

Author(s)
Ben Taube and Jolyn Newton, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Eric Mackres, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2010
Organizations or Programs
City of Decatur Kilowatt Crackdown,
Community Energy Challenge,
Go Green Nashville,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Webcast on how to design a community energy alliance.
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

Here Comes the Sun: Advances in Residential Solar (301)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on the intersection between solar and residential energy efficiency. Speakers include Ecolibrium3 and Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP).

Resource - Topical Presentations

Revenue From Contractor Fees

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
BetterBuildings for Michigan

This peer exchange call summary focused on how programs are devising plans for creating a contractor revenue stream and potential fee structures.

Resource - Topical Presentations

PowerSaver Loan Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

This peer exchange call summary focused on the background and features of the PowerSaver loan program.

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

Working With Schools

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on bringing energy efficiency programs to schools.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Assessing Revenue Streams: What Is Right for Your Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

This peer exchange call summary focused on assessing potential revenue streams.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Working with the Real Estate Sector

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energy Impact Illinois,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

This peer exchange call summary focused on the strategies, challenges and key interaction points with the real estate sector.

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

2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Valuing Energy Efficiency in the Real Estate Community

Author(s)
Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
The lack of documented value of retrofit measures is a barrier to many homeowners doing upgrades - as most appraisals do not include energy improvements in their comparables, and the homeÕs future sale can prevent the homeowner from earning a return on their investment via lower energy costs. Once the industry develops a process for valuing the energy improvements, it can unlock the significant potential for retrofit work through market pricing signals (energy efficient homes are worth more) and enhanced access to capital for those purchasing a more efficient home (energy efficient homes improve borrowersÕ cashflow because they cost less to operate).
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

2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Valuing Energy Efficiency in the Real Estate Community

Author(s)
Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

The lack of documented value of retrofit measures is a barrier to many homeowners doing upgrades - as most appraisals do not include energy improvements in their comparables, and the home’s future sale can prevent the homeowner from earning a return on their investment via lower energy costs. Once the industry develops a process for valuing the energy improvements, it can unlock the significant potential for retrofit work through market pricing signals (energy efficient homes are worth more) and enhanced access to capital for those purchasing a more efficient home (energy efficient homes improve borrowers’ cashflow because they cost less to operate).

Resource - Publications

Reactions to the Residential Retrofit Roundtable Recommendations

Author(s)
Richard Faesy and Chris Kramer, Energy Futures Group (Prepared for the Energy Foundation)
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
Michigan Saves,
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
Energy Works,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
Efficiency Maine,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

This report explores the approaches and research needs identified in the Building Retrofit Industry and Market (BRIM) Initiative through in-depth discussion with residential energy upgrade experts including a discussion of Marketing & Outreach and the program/contractor interface.

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

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

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

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

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

Strategies for Improving Efficiency in Delivering Efficiency

Author(s)
Cynthia Adams, Local Energy Alliance Program,
Larry Earegood, Consumers Energy (MI),
John Schott, NYSERDA,
Gavin Hastings, Arizona Public Service,
Emily Salzberg, Washington State University Energy,
Adam Buick, Community Power Works (WA),
Bob Knight, BKi
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Arizona Public Service (APS),
Community Power Works,
Energy Upgrade California,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Michigan Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
RePower Kitsap

Quick summaries of strategies various programs have used to improve the efficiency of delivering efficiency.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Shared Value in Utility and Efficiency Partnerships - Local Energy Alliance Program

Author(s)
Cynthia Adams, Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Presentation that focuses on grantee program-utility partnership models from the programs perspective.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Shared Value in Utility and Efficiency Partnerships - Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Author(s)
Nikki Kuhn, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Energize Phoenix,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA),
Efficiency Vermont
Presentation that focuses on grantee program-utility partnership models.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Pro Forma: Local Energy Alliance Program--Virginia

Author(s)
Local Energy Alliance Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
This presentation explains the pro forma spreadsheet used by Virginia's Local Energy Alliance Program to evaluate program impact.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Content Type

  • Resource (26)
  • Tips for Success (7)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (3)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (10)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (11)
  • Marketing & Outreach (11)
  • Financing (7)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (4)

Program Design Phases

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

States or Territories

  • Alabama (2)
  • Arizona (4)
  • California (4)
  • Colorado (2)
  • Florida (1)
  • Georgia (2)
  • Illinois (2)
  • Louisiana (1)
  • Maryland (1)
  • Massachusetts (2)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Minnesota (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • Ohio (4)
  • Oregon (5)
  • Pennsylvania (2)
  • Rhode Island (2)
  • Texas (1)
  • Virginia (17)
  • Washington (2)

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.
Contact | Building Technologies Office

OFFICE of
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

Forrestal Building
1000 Independence Ave. SW
Washington DC 20585

Link to Facebook Link to Twitter Link to Youtube Link to Linkedin

An office of

Energy.Gov

About EERE

Careers and Internships

EERE Home

Publications Library

Contact EERE

Energy.gov Resources

Budget & Performance

Directives, Delegations & Requirements

FOIA

Inspector General

Privacy Program

Small Business

Staff & Contractor Resources

Federal Government

The White House

USA.gov

  • Web Policies
  • Privacy
  • No Fear Act
  • Whistleblower Protection
  • Information Quality
  • Open Gov
  • Accessibility
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Program