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Establish a clear system and process for ensuring quality work

A residential energy efficiency program’s success is dependent on the quality of work that contractors conduct in customers’ homes. Indeed, an in-depth examination of selected program strategies found that effective quality assurance and quality control programs provided a foundation for quality...
Tips for Success

Provide information to help customers pick the right contractor

Early on, many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners focused on providing customers with a range of contractors to choose from, while providing contractors with access to customers. Customer feedback received by some programs, however, indicated that customers were confused or overwhelmed...
Tips for Success

Establish collaborative partnerships with contractors and communicate with them early and often

Contractors are more likely to serve as program champions when the program engages with them throughout program design, delivery, and improvement. Your contractors are the primary contact points with your customers, and the quality of their interactions and services strongly influences how customers...
Tips for Success

Keep the program simple for your customers

Given all of the other things that compete for your audience’s attention, it is critical that program participation steps are straightforward and easy to understand. Many programs have found that complexity makes it harder for interested homeowners to complete upgrade projects. These programs have...
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

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

Presentation on the Energy Efficiency Reporting Tool for Public Power Utilities

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
American Public Power Association
Publication Date
2016

This presentation discusses the energy efficiency reporting tool for public power utilities. The tool is an Excel-based template is designed to produce consistent, useful metrics on program investments and performance for small to medium-sized administrators of public power efficiency programs.

Resource - Webcast

Behavior-Based Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
Bonneville Power Administration,
Snohomish County Public Utility District,
Puget Sound Energy,
Clark County Utilities
Publication Date
2013

This presentation describes behavior-based energy efficiency programs and the results of the implementation of pilots from the Snohomish County PUD, Puget Sound Energy, and Clark Public Utilities. These program design features included home energy reports, web portals, and social media platforms.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Diversifying Funding Sources and Building New Revenue Streams (201)

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how organizations can diversify and grow new revenue streams and types of financing approaches used to make resources stretch further and help homeowners finance upgrades. Speakers include Connecticut Green Bank, Sealed, and Craft3.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Connect 4: Energy Efficiency in Relation to Other Program and City Goals (101)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how energy efficiency could be used to achieve other goals. It features speakers from the City of Orlando and Seattle City Light.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Strategies to Address Split Incentives in Multifamily Buildings

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on strategies and challenges of working with rental property owners and tenants on multifamily upgrades.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Behavior Change Programs: Status and Impact

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Vermont Home Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
Narragansett EnergyWise,
Cool California Challenge,
San Diego Energy Challenge,
Narragansett Residential New Construction Program

Utilities and regulators increasingly rely on behavior change programs as essential parts of their demand side management (DSM) portfolios. This report evaluates the effectiveness of currently available programs, focusing on programs that have been assessed for energy savings. This report focuses on behavior change programs that primarily rely on social-science-based strategies instead of traditional approaches such as incentives, rebates, pricing, or legal and policy strategies. The objective is to help program administrators choose effective behavior change programs for their specific purposes.

Resource - Publications

Behavioral Perspectives on Home Energy Audits: The Role of Auditors, Labels, Reports, and Audit Tools on Homeowner Decision-Making

Author(s)
Portland State University,
Research Into Action, Inc.,
Earth Advantage Institute
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Seattle City Light

This study focused on homeowner decision-making in response to home energy assessments, combined with the quality of the recommendations, the home energy assessment, and home energy labels. This report analyzes what assessments provide and what homeowners seem to want. It presents the results of a study of an existing home energy audit program pilot offered by Seattle City Light. From mid-2010 to late 2011, approximately 1,350 home energy assessments were completed in Seattle as part of Seattle City Light's program.

Resource - Publications

Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No. 6

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Bridging the Gap,
Nexus Energy Center,
Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover

This document features lessons learned shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members during Peer Exchange Calls held during Fall 2015.

Resource - Publications

Lessons Learned: Peer Exchange Calls No. 7

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Bridging the Gap,
Nexus Energy Center,
Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover

This document features lessons learned shared by Better Buildings Residential Network members during Peer Exchange Calls held in Winter 2016.

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

Certified Home Performance: Assessing the Market Impacts of Third Party Certification on Residential Properties

Author(s)
Earth Advantage Institute
Publication Date
2009

The report presents an analysis of the market performance of third-party certified sustainable residential properties in the Portland and Seattle metropolitan areas. In each location, a sample of third-party certified homes was selected and comparable homes were found. The author documents that certified homes in the Seattle metro area sold at a price premium of 9.6% when compared to noncertified counterparts.

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 Island: A Guide to Creating Your Island Energy Challenge

Author(s)
RePower Bainbridge,
Conservation Services Group,
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
This guide is designed to serve as a "how-to" reference for island communities (or small, similarly sized, more isolated communities) that want to develop and implement a residential energy-efficiency and conservation program. The purpose of this guide is to help communities chart a course for successful program development based on the lessons learned during implementation and operation of RePower Bainbridge, an energy-efficiency program on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Resource - Publications

Pacific Power Washington Low-Income Weatherization Program Evaluation March 2009 – February 2011

Author(s)
The Cadmus Group, Inc.
Publication Date
2012

Pacific Power contracted with The Cadmus Group, Inc., to conduct impact and process evaluations of its Washington low-income weatherization program for the program period extending from March 2009 through February 2011. The impact evaluation assessed energy savings and cost-effectiveness associated with the program, and in doing so quantified select non-energy benefits. The process evaluation assessed program delivery and efficacy, potential bottlenecks, opportunities for improvements, and participants’ experiences and satisfaction with the program.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Seattle Community Power Works Evaluation Reports

Author(s)
Washington State University Energy Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Seattle Community Power Works

Evaluation reports from the Seattle Community Power Works program. The city of Seattle worked to encourage efficiency upgrades for single-family and multi-family residences, small businesses, hospitals, and large commercial and municipal buildings.

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

Seattle Community Power Works Fall 2012 Progress Report

Author(s)
Washington State University Energy Program
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works
This mid-program evaluation includes extensive analysis of program sectors, including results of surveys of participants, and summarizes lessons learned to date.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Seattle Community Power Works Fall 2012 Progress Report

Author(s)
Washington State University Energy Program
Publication Date
2012

This mid-program evaluation includes extensive analysis of program sectors, including results of surveys of participants, and summarizes lessons learned to date.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

RePower Program -- People Will Talk: Making Energy Efficiency a Neighborhood Issue

Author(s)
Helen Biersack, RePower
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton
This presentation describes Washington's RePower program and lessons learned on community engagement as a driver of demand.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Going Deep Green: A Whole House Approach: Lessons Learned

Author(s)
Kellie Stickney, SustainableWorks
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
SustainableWorks
Presentation on the SustainableWorks non-profit general contractor model for supporting energy upgrades in Washington state and lessons learned for implementing a whole house approach.
Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Community Power Works Monthly Indicator Dashboard, March 2015

Author(s)
Community Power Works
Publication Date
2015
Organizations or Programs
Community Power Works

The Community Power Works program in Seattle, WA uses a program dashboard to track progress against targets. This is an example dashboard from March 2015, which is updated on a monthly basis with progress toward goals for sign-ups, energy audits, home energy upgrades, and energy savings.

Resource - Program Materials

Content Type

  • Resource (24)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (4)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (17)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (15)
  • Marketing & Outreach (9)
  • Financing (6)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (8)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (5)
  • Strategy Development (66)
  • Planning (67)
  • Implementation (65)
  • (-) Evaluation (30)

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

  • RePower Bainbridge (5)
  • Community Power Works (4)
  • RePower Bremerton (4)
  • RePower Kitsap (4)
  • Enhabit (3)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (3)
  • Bridging the Gap (2)
  • EnergySmart (2)
  • Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover (2)
  • NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (2)
  • Nexus Energy Center (2)
  • Austin Energy (1)
  • Commonwealth Edison Company (ComED) (1)
  • Cool California Challenge (1)
  • Efficiency Maine (1)
  • Efficiency Nova Scotia (1)
  • Energize Connecticut (1)
  • Energize New York (1)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (1)
  • Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) (1)
  • Long Island Green Homes (1)
  • Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (1)
  • Narragansett EnergyWise (1)
  • Narragansett Residential New Construction Program (1)
  • National Grid (1)
  • NYSERDA (1)
  • Puget Sound Energy (1)
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) (1)
  • San Diego Energy Challenge (1)
  • Seattle City Light (1)
  • Seattle Community Power Works (1)
  • ShopSmart with JEA (1)
  • Small Town Energy Program (STEP) (1)
  • Southern California Edison (1)
  • SustainableWorks (1)
  • Vermont Home Energy Challenge (1)
Residential Program Guide is a resource of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office.
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