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 - 24 of 24

Develop routine reports or dashboards to help monitor the collected data

Many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that program dashboards—regularly updated, easily accessed, summary reports of key metrics—helped them identify problems and monitor program progress toward their goals. Depending on the program’s goals and needs, dashboards included metrics...
Tips for Success

Make upgrade options clear and concise for customers

Programs in many regions of the U.S. find that the concept of home performance is new to homeowners. Homeowners may not know how energy efficiency measures compare (e.g., energy savings benefits of insulation versus new windows) or have not heard about some effective measures, such as air sealing...
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

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

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

State of the Union: Best Practices from 'Most Improved' Energy Efficient States in 2016

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
Michigan Saves

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how recent policy changes have impacted residential energy efficiency program implementation. Speakers include Efficiency Maine, Michigan Environmental Council, and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Do You Hear Me Now? Communicating the Value of Non-Energy Benefits (101)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on communicating non-energy benefits that homeowners and building owners are most interested in. Speakers include Elevate Energy, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, and Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Keys to Successful Quality Assurance and Quality Control Programs (101)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energize Connecticut,
Michigan Saves

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on quality assurance of energy efficiency services.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Using Loan Performance Data to Inform Program Implementation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves,
BeSmart Maryland

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how loan performance data is tracked and analyzed, and what the data shows.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Community Readiness Assessments

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on the benefits of community assessments and strategies for gathering information.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED): A New Source of Energy Efficiency Data and Resources

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2011

REED serves as a dashboard for the consistent reporting of electric and natural gas energy efficiency program energy and demand savings and associated costs, avoided emissions and job impacts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. REED is a project of NEEP's Regional Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Forum (EM&V Forum) and is based on the EM&V Forum's Common Statewide Energy Efficiency Reporting Guidelines.

Resource - Tools & Calculators

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

Recognizing the Value of Energy Efficiency's Multiple Benefits

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
Mass Save

The benefits of energy efficiency extend beyond energy savings. Homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities gain comfort, health, and safety benefits from energy efficiency programs. Additional benefits for businesses include savings on maintenance, materials, and the costs of regulatory compliance. On the supply side, electric utilities enjoy reduced system costs. Focusing on the residential, business, and utility sectors, this report examines each of these multiple benefits, their role in program marketing, and current best practices for including them in cost-effectiveness testing.

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

A Changing Landscape: The Regional Roundup of Energy Efficiency Policy in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2015

This report represents NEEP’s annual assessment of the major policy developments of 2014, as well as its look into the immediate future, where NEEP gauge states’ progress toward capturing cost-effective energy efficiency as a first-order resource. While looking at the region as a whole, NEEP also provides summary and analysis of some of the biggest building energy efficiency successes and setbacks from Maine to Maryland — including significant energy efficiency legislation and regulations and changes in funding levels for energy efficiency programs.

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

Berkshire Gas Home Energy Report Program Evaluation

Author(s)
Navigant Consulting, Inc.,
ILLUME Advising, LLC
Publication Date
2016

This report presents the results of the first‐year process and impact evaluation of Berkshire Gas' Home Energy Report (HER) program. The primary objective of the program is to provide residential households with information on their gas consumption and tips on how to save energy to prompt them to take action to reduce their natural gas usage.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Massachusetts Multifamily Program Improvement Strategies

Author(s)
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Publication Date
2017

This study identifies actionable strategies and innovations to improve the multifamily program performance, realization rates, and overall program cost-effectiveness for both the residential and commercial sectors.

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

Evaluation of Cape Light Compact's Creating Awareness for Power Efficiency Initiative

Author(s)
Navigant Consulting, Inc.,
ILLUME Advising, LLC
Publication Date
2016

This report presents findings of a process evaluation of Cape Light Compact's Creating Awareness for Power Efficiency Initiative, which included in-depth interviews with 27 customers of varying participation levels. It also includes the results of an impact evaluation using econometric analysis to estimate savings.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Ductless Mini‐Split Heat Pump Impact Evaluation

Author(s)
The Cadmus Group, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

The COOL SMART impact evaluation team conducted an in situ study of ductless mini‐split heat pumps (DMSHPs) in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This report presents the consumption and savings analysis of the DMSHP study.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Michigan Saves: Using Loan Performance Data to Inform Program Implementation

Author(s)
Mary Templeton, Michigan Saves
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves
This presentation describes the financial data Michigan Saves tracks and how the program uses the data to inform program implementation.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Better Buildings for Michigan Neighborhood Sweep Summary Report

Author(s)
BetterBuildings for Michigan
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Michigan
This report summarizes the results of five neighborhood sweeps, covering more than 2,000 households in Michigan.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Effective Incentive Structures: Michigan

Author(s)
Mary Templeton, BetterBuildings for Michigan
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Michigan

Presentation on how Michigan Saves realigned its incentives to encourage more projects with significant energy savings potential.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Content Type

  • Resource (21)
  • Tips for Success (3)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (3)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (3)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (13)
  • Marketing & Outreach (5)
  • Financing (2)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (1)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (6)
  • Strategy Development (71)
  • Planning (77)
  • Implementation (75)
  • (-) Evaluation (24)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (7)
  • Alberta (1)
  • Arizona (9)
  • Arkansas (3)
  • British Columbia (1)
  • California (40)
  • Colorado (19)
  • Connecticut (26)
  • Delaware (2)
  • (-) District of Columbia (1)
  • Florida (11)
  • Georgia (3)
  • Illinois (13)
  • Indiana (3)
  • Iowa (1)
  • Kansas (1)
  • Kentucky (1)
  • Louisiana (6)
  • Maine (13)
  • Maryland (10)
  • (-) Massachusetts (12)
  • (-) Michigan (11)
  • Minnesota (6)
  • Missouri (3)
  • Nebraska (1)
  • New Hampshire (8)
  • New Jersey (4)
  • New York (21)
  • North Carolina (5)
  • Nova Scotia (1)
  • Ohio (12)
  • Ontario (1)
  • Oregon (25)
  • Pennsylvania (8)
  • Rhode Island (9)
  • South Carolina (6)
  • Tennessee (5)
  • Texas (12)
  • U.S. Virgin Islands (3)
  • Utah (2)
  • Vermont (11)
  • Virginia (10)
  • Washington (27)
  • Washington D.C. (1)
  • Washington DC (2)
  • Wisconsin (6)

Organizations or Programs

  • Michigan Saves (7)
  • BetterBuildings for Michigan (2)
  • Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (2)
  • Focus on Energy (2)
  • Mass Save (2)
  • National Grid (2)
  • Austin Energy (1)
  • Bend Energy Challenge (1)
  • BeSmart Maryland (1)
  • Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED) (1)
  • Consumers Energy Smart Energy Challenge (1)
  • Denver Energy Challenge (1)
  • Efficiency Maine (1)
  • Elevate Energy (1)
  • Energize Connecticut (1)
  • EnergySmart (1)
  • Energy Upgrade California (1)
  • Enhabit (1)
  • Eversource (1)
  • Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) (1)
  • Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (1)
  • Massachusetts Department Of Energy Resources (1)
  • Puget Sound Energy (1)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (1)
  • Southern California Edison (1)
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