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Adapt messages to your primary target audience’s needs

Many programs found that market research can help identify, segment, and characterize audiences to understand how to prioritize them. A comprehensive evaluation of over 140 programs across the United States found that programs had greater success when they identified specific target populations...
Tips for Success

Setting Baselines for Planning and Evaluation of Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
Robert G. Ozar, Michigan Public Service Commission,
Carmen Best, California Public Utilities Commission,
Jeff Harris, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2016

The key challenge with quantifying savings from end-use efficiency activities is the identification of an accurate baseline from which to determine the savings. Regardless of the protocol or procedure applied, all savings values are determined by estimating likely energy use in the absence of the program or project (the “counterfactual” scenario, or baseline). This webcast provides an introduction to considerations and common practices for defining baselines, the relationship between baselines and savings attribution, and examples of how different jurisdictions are addressing market baseline studies, setting baselines for retrofit measures, and market transformation program baselines.

Resource - Webcast

Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness Testing

Author(s)
Snuller Price, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc.,
Tim Woolf, Synapse Energy Economics,
Tom Eckman, Northwest Power and Conservation Council,
Sami Khawaja, The Cadmus Group, Inc.,
Steven Schiller, Schiller Consulting, Inc.
Publication Date
2014

This webcast provides an introduction to cost-effectiveness testing for energy efficiency programs. It also covers key drivers in the cost-effectiveness results and cost-effectiveness tools developed for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Resource - Webcast

Cost-Effective Modeling and Savings Projections for Multifamily Projects

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on energy modeling in multifamily homes.

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

Energy Upgrade California - Post Home Tour Survey Form

Author(s)
Energy Upgrade California
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California
Survey form used by Energy Upgrade California to assess open house tour attendee interest in obtaining further information about upgrade opportunities.
Resource - Templates & Forms

2006 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Assessing the Needs of CaliforniaÕs Low-Income Population

Author(s)
KEMA Inc.
Publication Date
2006
This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of the energy-related needs of CaliforniaÕs low-income population. This study was commissioned to direct future policy regarding the various low-income energy programs offered in the state. These programs include the California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) Program, which provides a rate discount to qualified low-income customers, and the Low-Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program, which installs weatherization and energy efficiency measures in qualified dwellings at no charge.
Resource - Publications

Universal Audit Tool Impact Evaluation - Residential

Author(s)
California Public Utilities Commission
Publication Date
2017

This report presents findings from an impact evaluation of the Universal Audit Tool (UAT). UAT programs provide residential customers with advice on energy efficiency, insight into areas of high energy use, and tips and suggestions for saving both energy and money based on responses to an online survey regarding household appliances, occupancy, and other dwelling characteristics.

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

Verifying Energy Efficiency Job Creation: Current Practices and Recommendations

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA),
Energy Right Solutions for Buisness,
Energy Right Solutions for Industry,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
National Grid Energy Efficiency Program,
Energy Trust of Oregon,
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs,
Enhabit,
District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility,
BC Hydro,
Ontario Power Authority Industrial Accelerator Program,
Elevate Energy

Among the many benefits ascribed to energy efficiency is the fact that it can help create jobs. Although this is often used to motivate investments in efficiency programs, verifying job creation benefits is more complicated than it might seem at first. This paper identifies some of the issues that contribute to a lack of consistency in attempts to verify efficiency-related job creation. It then proposes an analytically rigorous and tractable framework for program evaluators to use in future assessments.

Resource - Publications

2006 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Assessing the Needs of California’s Low-Income Population

Author(s)
KEMA Inc.
Publication Date
2006
Organizations or Programs
California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) Program,
Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of the energy-related needs of California’s low-income population. This study was commissioned to direct future policy regarding the various low-income energy programs offered in the state. These programs include the California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) Program, which provides a rate discount to qualified low-income customers, and the Low-Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program, which installs weatherization and energy efficiency measures in qualified dwellings at no charge.

Resource - Publications

Is Energy Efficiency Capitalized into Home Prices? Evidence from Three US Cities

Author(s)
Resources for the Future
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

This study looks at evidence of capitalization of energy efficiency features in home prices using data from real estate multiple listing services (MLS) in three metropolitan areas: the Research Triangle region of North Carolina; Austin, Texas; and Portland, Oregon. These home listings include information on Energy Star certification and, in Portland and Austin, local green certifications. Our results suggest that Energy Star certification increases the sales prices of homes built between 1995 and 2006 but has no statistically significant effect on sales prices for newer homes.

Resource - Publications

Energy Benchmarking, Rating, and Disclosure for State Governments

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2012

This report provides information on how energy use data access can help state governments lead by example through benchmarking and disclosing results and implement benchmarking policies for the private sector.

Resource - Publications

Scoping Study to Evaluate Feasibility of National Databases for EM&V Documents and Measure Savings

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2011

This report presents the results of a scoping study to assess the need for national databases that can support best practices in energy efficiency program evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V).

Resource - Publications

Energy Benchmarking, Rating, and Disclosure for Local Governments

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2012

This report provides information on how access to energy use data can help local governments create policies for benchmarking and disclosing building energy performance for public and private sector buildings.

Resource - Publications

Energy Benchmarking, Rating, and Disclosure for Regulators of Ratepayer-Funded Programs

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2012

This report provides information on how supporting access to building benchmarking data can help utilities increase efficiency and drive down energy demand.

Resource - Publications

A Regulator's Privacy Guide to Third-Party Data Access for Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2012

This report contains guidance on issues and policy options related to providing access to customer energy use information that can be used to support and enhance the provision of energy efficiency services while protecting customer privacy.

Resource - Publications

Energy Upgrade California Home Upgrade Program Process Evaluation 2014-2015

Author(s)
EMI Consulting
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California

This report presents the process evaluation results on the statewide Home Upgrade Program and includes findings on program operations, participant engagement, non-energy impacts, contractor characteristics, and contractor-customer interactions.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

California Public Utilities Commission Impact Evaluation of 2015 Marin Clean Energy Home Utility Report Program

Author(s)
DNV GL
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Marin Clean Energy (MCE)

This report presents the impact evaluation results of the Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Home Utility Reports (HUR) program for 2015.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Observations & Recommendations from Connecticut Residential Program Database Interviews

Author(s)
NMR Group, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

This report for the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board documents the difficulties that evaluators and programs in Connecticut faced in conducting evaluation studies and makes recommendations for improving data quality and consistency.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Final Report on Phase 2 Low Income Needs Assessment

Author(s)
KEMA Inc.
Publication Date
2007
Organizations or Programs
California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) Program,
Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program

This report presents the findings of Phase 2 of the California Public Utilities Commission Low Income Needs Assessment Study. The results of the needs assessment suggest that, over time, the programs have effectively targeted and provided services to low-income households that have the greatest need.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Low Income Energy Efficiency Program 2009-2010 Process Evaluation

Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program

This document constitutes the final report for the 2009-2010 process evaluation of the Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) program operated by the four investor-owned utilities (IOU) of California for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The IOUs include: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), Southern California Gas (SCG), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). Although the program is now referred to as Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP), this report will employ the nomenclature used for the 2009-2010 program cycle.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Southeast Consortium Process Evaluation - Phase 1

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This report presents the phase 1 process evaluation conducted of the 13 programs in the Southeast Consortium Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP).

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Southeast Consortium Process Evaluation-Phase 2

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This report presents the phase 2 process evaluation conducted of the 13 programs in the Southeast Consortium Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP).

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Southeast Consortium Impact Evaluation

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2013
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This report presents the impact evaluation conducted of the 13 programs in the Southeast Consortium Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP).

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Collecting and Using Data to Improve the Program: Pecan Street Project

Author(s)
Suzanne Russo, Pecan Street Project Inc.
Publication Date
2011
Headquartered at The University of Texas at Austin, Pecan Street Inc. is a research and development organization focused on developing and testing advanced technology, business model and customer behavior surrounding advanced energy management systems. Their flagship effort is the Pecan Street Demonstration Project that began in an Austin community. This presentation discusses collecting and using data to assess and improve the Pecan Street Project.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Content Type

  • Resource (25)
  • Tips for Success (1)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (3)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (12)
  • (-) Evaluation & Data Collection (26)
  • Marketing & Outreach (10)
  • Financing (8)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (6)

Program Design Phases

  • Strategy Development (15)
  • Planning (15)
  • Implementation (21)
  • (-) Evaluation (26)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (4)
  • Arizona (4)
  • Arkansas (2)
  • British Columbia (1)
  • (-) California (20)
  • Colorado (6)
  • Connecticut (17)
  • Delaware (1)
  • Florida (5)
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  • Maryland (4)
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  • Michigan (3)
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  • Nova Scotia (1)
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  • Ontario (1)
  • Oregon (9)
  • Pennsylvania (1)
  • Rhode Island (5)
  • South Carolina (4)
  • Tennessee (3)
  • (-) Texas (5)
  • (-) U.S. Virgin Islands (3)
  • Utah (1)
  • Vermont (6)
  • Virginia (4)
  • Washington (12)
  • Washington D.C. (1)
  • Washington DC (2)
  • Wisconsin (3)

Organizations or Programs

  • Energy Upgrade California (3)
  • Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program (3)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (3)
  • Austin Energy (2)
  • California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) Program (2)
  • BC Hydro (1)
  • Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED) (1)
  • Community Power Works (1)
  • District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (1)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (1)
  • Elevate Energy (1)
  • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs (1)
  • Energy Right Solutions for Buisness (1)
  • Energy Right Solutions for Industry (1)
  • EnergySmart Colorado (1)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (1)
  • Enhabit (1)
  • Marin Clean Energy (MCE) (1)
  • National Grid (1)
  • National Grid Energy Efficiency Program (1)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (1)
  • Ontario Power Authority Industrial Accelerator Program (1)
  • Puget Sound Energy (1)
  • RePower Bainbridge (1)
  • RePower Bremerton (1)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (1)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (1)
  • Southern California Edison (1)
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) (1)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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