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 - 100 of 110

Evaluation & Data Collection – Communicate Impacts

Communicate pertinent results of evaluations to program staff, partners, and stakeholders.
Handbook

Market Position & Business Model – Communicate Impacts

Publicize benefits and lessons learned resulting from your organization’s success in the market.
Handbook

Evaluation & Data Collection – Develop Resources

Identify and implement systems and tools that will support data collection and data quality necessary for effective evaluation.
Handbook

Program Design & Customer Experience – Make Design Decisions

Solidify your program strategy and decide which customers you will focus on; what products, services, and support you will provide; and how you will partner with contractors and others to deliver services to your customers.
Handbook

Program Design & Customer Experience – Identify Partners

Establish relationships with organizations that can help deliver your program by enhancing your knowledge, resources, capabilities and access to customers and contractors.
Handbook

Program Design & Customer Experience – Set Goals & Objectives

Establish program goals and objectives to clarify what you want your program to achieve and to guide program design and implementation over time.
Handbook

Market Position & Business Model – Develop a Business Model

Define your business model, including market position, products and services, type of customers, financial model, governance structure, and the assets and infrastructure your organization needs.
Handbook

Financing – Make Design Decisions

Determine if enhancements to existing financing products or the development of new products are necessary to allow you to achieve your goals and objectives.
Handbook

Financing – Identify Partners

Identify and partner with financial institutions that can provide capital, underwriting, and other functions to enable your customers to access financing.
Handbook

Financing – Set Goals & Objectives

Establish goals, objectives, and timeframes for your financing activities.
Handbook

Marketing & Outreach – Identify Partners

Establish relationships with organizations that will assist with program marketing and outreach.
Handbook

Financing – Assess the Market

Determine how your target audience currently funds energy efficiency services, to what extent upfront cost is a barrier, and whether improvements to their financing options would increase the uptake of energy efficiency measures.
Handbook

Market Position & Business Model – Set Goals & Objectives

Establish or update your organizational mission, vision, and goals to encompass energy efficiency programs.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Assess the Market

Learn about the capabilities and services of existing contractors and training providers working in your market.
Handbook

Program Design & Customer Experience – Communicate Impacts

Develop a strategy for communicating program impacts and benefits to key audiences to create and sustain support and engagement.
Handbook

Evaluation & Data Collection – Develop Evaluation Plans

Identify the right questions to ask, appropriate metrics to collect, and the processes needed to initiate third-party impact and process evaluations.
Handbook

Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development – Set Goals & Objectives

Establish objectives, targets, and timeframes for your program to support local contractors and the type and quality of service they provide to help meet your program’s goals.
Handbook

Program Design & Customer Experience – Assess the Market

Research and analyze the specific barriers, needs, and opportunities for a residential energy efficiency program in your community.
Handbook

Consider a diversity of funding and revenue sources and make selections based on local opportunities when planning for long-term program sustainability

In order to craft a sustainable financial model, organizations need to identify long-term sustainable revenue sources. As with the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, grant funding can be a great way to get an effort off the ground; however, grant funding does run out, leaving the need to secure...
Tips for Success

Leverage the many complementary benefits of energy efficiency programs to broaden your organization’s reach and partnership opportunities

Home energy assessments and upgrades can offer more than just energy savings benefits. They can make homes safer, enhance home value, and reduce health risks for residents. Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners found that emphasizing the full range of benefits that upgrades offered helped...
Tips for Success

Develop partnerships based on an alignment of goals, strong collaboration, and consistent communication

Programs that have developed strong and lasting partnerships have done so by identifying shared goals and seeking ways in which programs and partners can mutually benefit by advancing each other's missions. Even if partners don’t have the same goals as your program, you can still try to find ways to...
Tips for Success

Make sure there are enough customers in your target market to meet your goals and attract partners

Many programs that focused on a specific neighborhood or other small geographic areas have found it difficult to generate enough customer interest, partner interest, and upgrade activity to meet program goals. Regional or statewide approaches are often more attractive to contractors, lenders...
Tips for Success

Design your financing activities to enable long-term sustainability

In order to overcome lenders’ concerns over the risk associated with energy efficiency loans, many Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners offered credit enhancements to lenders (e.g., loan loss reserve funds) to attract lender participation and to mitigate lender losses in the event of loan...
Tips for Success

Partner with organizations or individuals that customers already trust

Many programs found it useful to partner with a range of trusted organizations or individuals to market program offerings to their constituencies or followers. Better Buildings Neighborhood Program participants enhanced their marketing and outreach efforts by partnering with trusted local groups...
Tips for Success

REEO Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities Webinar

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource,
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves,
ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program,
Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program,
Set the PACE St. Louis,
City of Chicago,
Energy Outreach Colorado,
Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program

This webinar covers the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities for Deep Energy Savings report published in 2016.n

Resource - Webcast

Better Together: Linking and Leveraging Energy Programs for Low-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2015

This presentation includes a series of case studies to highlight effective efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) to low-income households. It explores the topic of linking and leveraging EE/RE programs for limited-income households, including the need to coordinate with other energy assistance programs.

Resource - Webcast

Bringing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to Low-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2015

This webcast highlights effective efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to low-income households. It explores the topic of linking and leveraging energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for limited-income households, including the need to coordinate with other energy assistance programs. It also presents case studies of organizations that have successfully advanced connections among available programs and funding sources.

Resource - Webcast

Better Together: Linking and Leveraging Energy Programs for Low-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energy Outreach Colorado,
DTE Energy

This 90-minute webinar explored the topic of linking and leveraging energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) programs for limited-income households, including the need to coordinate with other energy assistance programs. It presented case studies of organizations that have successfully advanced connections among available programs and funding sources.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Beyond the Light Touch: Next Steps for Improving Energy Efficiency in Multi-Family Affordable Housing

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2016

This is the second webinar in a multi-part series highlighting efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) to low-income communities. This 90-minute webinar explored the specific challenges and opportunities faced by programs that aim to improve energy efficiency in multifamily affordable housing, with an emphasis on achieving multiple benefits through deeper retrofits.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Next Steps for Improving Energy Efficiency in Multi-Family Affordable Housing

Author(s)
National Housing Trust
Publication Date
2016

This presentation highlights the work and resources of the Energy Efficiency For All (EEFA) project and its mission to make multifamily homes healthy and affordable through energy efficiency. The families and individuals most in need of affordable housing are also most affected by high energy costs. Low-income families spend up to 20 percent of their income on energy. Efficiency investments in multifamily affordable housing mean energy savings, lower energy bills, more stable rental payments, reduced pollution, and a better quality of life for residents.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Challenging Topics in Cost-effectiveness - Health and Safety Impacts of Low-Income Weatherization

Author(s)
Greg Glendenning, NMR Group, Inc.
Publication Date
2017

This presentation describes a Massachusetts study on low-income weatherization, including its cost-effectiveness and impacts on health and safety.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Energy Efficiency Financing for Low and Moderate-Income Households

Author(s)
Greg Leventis,,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2017

This presentation provides an overview of energy efficiency financing for low- and moderate-income households, including a sector overview, consumer protections, financing products, and lessons learned.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Scaling Up Clean Energy Programs to the Next Level for Low and Moderate Income

Author(s)
Diana Duva, State of Connecticut,
Benjamin Healey, Connecticut Green Bank,
Joe Pereira, State of Colorado,
Jennifer Gremmert, Energy Outreach Colorado,
Michael DiRamio, U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Energize Connecticut,
Energy Outreach California,
Energy Outreach Colorado

In this presentation, state and nonprofit leaders in Colorado and Connecticut discuss their policy and program efforts to offer rooftop and community solar and weatherization services and how they are scaling their programs to meet the needs of the underserved income-eligible market.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Finance Products for Low and Middle Income Customers: What Works?

Author(s)
Greg Leventis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Bruce Schlein, Citi,
Curtis Wynn, Roanoke Electric Cooperative,
Karyn Sper, Fannie Mae,
Philip Henderson, Natural Resources Defense Council
Publication Date
2017

This presentation provides an overview energy efficiency financing products and opportunities for consumer protections and program expansion for low and moderate income customers in the single- and multifamily residential market sectors.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Leveraging Smart Meters to Benefit Low-Income Customers

Author(s)
Heather Roth, Oracle
Publication Date
2016

This presentation highlights the potential operational, financial and environmental benefits that smart meters offer to residential customers, particularly low-income customers. Low-income customers have a higher energy burden, making energy savings more impactful.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Making an Impact: Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on unique challenges for energy efficiency and weatherization programs serving lower income residents in single-family and multifamily housing. Speakers include American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Elevate Energy, and Energy Outreach Colorado.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Low-Income Non-Energy Impacts of Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
Low-Income Energy Affordability Network
Publication Date
2016

This presentation describes non-energy benefits from energy efficiency upgrades in low-income households, draws from research on health and related benefits of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and tailors insights to Massachusetts.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Better Together: Linking and Leveraging Energy Programs for Low-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Energy Outreach Colorado

This webcast highlight effective efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) to low-income households.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Beyond the Light Touch: Next Steps for Improving Energy Efficiency in Multi-Family Affordable Housing

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy

This webcast in a multi-part series highlighting efforts by state and local agencies, non-profits, and utilities to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) to low-income communities.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Addressing Barriers to Upgrade Projects at Affordable Multifamily Properties (201)

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on challenges of energy upgrades in affordable and low-income multifamily properties.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Serving Multifamily Building Owners: A Full Service Comprehensive Approach for Improving Existing Buildings

Author(s)
Peter Ludwig, Elevate Energy
Publication Date
2016

This presentation covers Elevate Energy's full service comprehensive approach for improving low income multifamily housing.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Messaging Strategies for Low-Income Participants

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011

This peer exchange call summary focused on messaging and delivery strategies of those messages to low-income program participants. 

Resource - Topical Presentations

Working With Weatherization Assistance Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves

This peer exchange call summary focused on integrating income-qualified programs into neighborhood sweeps.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Targeted Marketing and Program Design for Low- and Moderate-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2011
Organizations or Programs
Indianapolis Better Buildings Program,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

This peer exchange call summary focused on what energy efficiency programs are doing to target low- and moderate-income households.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Loan Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Households

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2014

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on strategies in building interest in and introducing energy efficiency to affordable housing.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Using Partnerships to Drive Demand and Provide Services in Communities

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2012
Organizations or Programs
EmPower New York,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Long Island Green Homes,
Energy Impact Illinois,
CNT Energy

This peer exchange call summary focused on leveraging effective partnerships for multi-family and low-income outreach and service delivery.

Resource - Topical Presentations

Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool

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

The Better Building Clean Energy for Low Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) was launched in 2016 to help state and local partners across the nation meet their goals for increasing uptake of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in low and moderate income communities. As a part of the Accelerator, DOE created a set of low and moderate income (LMI) energy data profiles to assist partners with understanding their LMI community characteristics. This LMI energy policy and program planning tool provides interactive state, county and city level worksheets with graphs and data including number of households at different income levels and numbers of homeowners versus renters. It provides a breakdown based on fuel type, building type, and construction year. It also provides average monthly energy expenditures and energy burden (percentage of income spent on energy).

Resource - Tools & Calculators

Clean Energy for Low Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) Program Funding Catalog

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017

The Better Building Clean Energy for Low Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) offers a list of federal funding and financing resources and technical assistance programs for low-to-moderate income community projects. It is a worksheet for program managers to map out relevant resources for their planning or program needs.

Resource - Templates & Forms

Making a Difference: Strategies for Successful Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2017
This report delves into programs that have overcome barriers such as lack of capital, lack of credit, and aging housing stock, to achieve high participation in low-income residential energy efficiency program. It also explores the key features that make these offerings successful.
Resource - Publications

Program Features: California's Low-Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program

Author(s)
Economic Opportunity Studies (EOS)
Publication Date
2014
In 2009, California utilities were authorized to spend $240 million for their low-income energy efficiency [LIEE] programs, an increase of 53% over 2008. Further increases are expected in each of the following two years. The utilities set about making state-required changes intended to deepen their LIEE programs‟ impact and widen their reach.
Resource - Publications

Program Features: Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)

Author(s)
Economic Opportunity Studies (EOS)
Publication Date
2014
Pennsylvania’s Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) is a statewide, utility-sponsored, free residential energy usage reduction program designed to help low-income households lower their energy bills and reduce energy consumption through Weatherization and energy education services.
Resource - Publications

The Benefits of Energy Efficiency for California's Low Income Households

Author(s)
Natural Resources Defense Council
Publication Date
2012
Improving energy efficiency significantly lowers energy bills, creates jobs, and reduces pollution – benefits which all utility customers enjoy. The benefits of efficiency may be greatest in California’s low income communities, however, where poorly weatherized homes, high unemployment rates, and proximity to fossil-fuel fired power plants are too often the norm.
Resource - Publications

State Low-Income Energy Assistance Snapshots

Author(s)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Publication Date
2017
The snapshots present a capsule view of each state's key LIHEAP characteristics, as well as details of its non-federal low-income energy programs (state- and utility-funded, and charitable).
Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Financing for Low and Moderate Income Households: Current State of the Market, Issues, and Opportunities

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2017
This report aims to improve low and moderate income (LMI) stakeholdersÕ understanding of financing options for LMI communities. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different options, consumer protections to consider, and lessons learned. LMI stakeholders addressed by this report include state and local policymakers, state utility regulators, program administrators, financial institutions, and consumer advocates.
Resource - Publications

Journalist Guide to Energy Efficiency Investments in Low-Income Multifamily Housing

Author(s)
California Delivers
Publication Date
2017
As California moves forward with implementation of new energy efficiency targets in the residential sector, California Delivers offers this background resource for journalists. It includes: an overview of CaliforniaÕs energy efficiency targets and state/federal efficiency programs; a review of barriers to efficiency investments in low-income multifamily housing and strategies to overcome them; relevant facts, figures, and definitions; and a list of experts available for interview.
Resource - Publications

Multifamily Energy Efficiency: What We Know and What's Next

Author(s)
Energy Programs Consortium (EPC)
Publication Date
2013
This Energy Programs Consortium report identifies barriers that have been found to increase investment in low income multi-family housing as well as current efforts to address those barriers and increase building owner investment. This report also identifies strategies for deploying public and provide sector resources that can be used to increase the effectiveness of current efforts to address energy efficiency barriers in the low income multi-family housing sector.
Resource - Publications

Segmenting Chicago Multifamily Housing to Improve Energy Efficiency Programs

Author(s)
Elevate Energy
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy
Elevate Energy constructed a database of 143,000 Chicago multifamily buildings and segmented them based on age, size, and other traits in order to better understand the Chicago multifamily sector. The segmentation findings point to opportunities to improve ChicagoÕs energy efficiency programs. The size of the unsubsidized lower-cost multifamily market in Chicago, added benefits of improved health outcomes for low-income residents, and greater investment in disadvantaged neighborhoods strengthen the case for prioritizing multifamily market for energy efficiency. The report is organized into three parts. The first part describes the datasets used to build a database of ChicagoÕs multifamily buildings. The second reviews key findings from the analysis. The third section provides recommended improvements to efficiency programs based on the segmentation.
Resource - Publications

Well-Suited Energy Efficiency Tailoring Programs for Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
2017
The Midwest is home to a significant stock of multifamily buildings that represent a huge energy savings opportunity. Multifamily housing makes up 11 to 22% of the housing stock in Midwest states. The majority of multifamily housing is renter-occupied, and a large proportion of those renters are low income customers for whom the cost of high utility bills is the most burdensome. This report examines the mixture of multifamily energy efficiency programs in four states Ð Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota and Iowa Ð since 2010. The analysis looks at investment, energy savings and program models offered in each state. These states are not the only states working on multifamily energy efficiency in the Midwest, but they provide a good contrast in terms of energy efficiency policies and performance, as well as having sufficient available data for the analysis.
Resource - Publications

Affordable Multifamily Housing Efficiency Project Factsheet

Author(s)
Natural Resources Defense Council
Publication Date
2014
This fact sheet outlines the opportunities and challenges to be considered in expanding energy efficiency in the affordable multifamily housing sector. Making affordable rental housing more energy efficient is a cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption, maintain housing affordability, create healthier and more comfortable living environments for moderate- and low income families, and reduce pollution.
Resource - Publications

The Power of Energy Efficiency: Expanding Access to Energy Efficiency Improvements for Low and Moderate Income North Carolina Households

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
North Carolina Justice Center
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
Improving energy efficiency can make energy more affordable, transform unhealthy buildings into comfortable homes, and create thousands of jobs. While there are opportunities across the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, some of the greatest need and most profound gains can be made in low- and moderate-income housing. This report outlines why focusing on energy efficiency programs to serve North Carolinians of modest means can return benefits to everyone across the state, and discusses many of the steps that can be taken to increase the adoption of energy efficiency in North Carolina.
Resource - Publications

Lifting the High Energy Burden in AmericaÕs Largest Cities: How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Low Income and Underserved Communities

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
Energy Efficiency For All (EEFA)
Publication Date
2016
The report analyzes data from the U.S. Census BureauÕs 2011 and 2013 American Housing Survey to determine energy burden values for 48 of the largest U.S. Cities. On average, low-income households pay 7.2 percent of household income on utilitiesÑmore than twice as much as the median household and three times as much as higher income households. If low-income housing stock were brought up to the efficiency level of the average U.S. home, this would eliminate 35 percent of the average low-income energy burden of low-income households. The second half of the report focuses on strategies for alleviating high energy burdens including policies and programs to increase the impact of energy efficiency initiatives in these communities.
Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Financing for Low and Moderate-Income Households: Current State of the Market, Issues, and Opportunities

Author(s)
State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network
Publication Date
2017
This SEE Action report offers state and local policymakers, state utility regulators, program administrators, financial institutions, consumer advocates and other low- and moderate-income (LMI) household stakeholders an understanding of the relationship between LMI communities and energy efficiency; lessons learned from existing energy efficiency financing programs serving LMI households; and the financing products these programs use and their relative advantages and disadvantages.
Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency Loans for Low and Moderate Income Households: The Warehouse for Energy Efficiency Loans (WHEEL) as a Case Study

Author(s)
Energy Programs Consortium
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
This report examines participation of low and moderate income borrowers (LMI) in the first WHEEL portfolio. This is the first report in a multiyear project by EPC on Residential Energy Finance and the LMI Market that will take a close look at the market for residential energy efficiency and renewable energy loans to in order to increase the number and rate of the retrofits they facilitate.
Resource - Publications

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: A Baseline Assessment of Programs Serving the 51 Largest Cities

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2017
This paper is a baseline assessment of electric and natural gas energy efficiency programs that target low-income households in the largest metropolitan areas in the country. ACEEE surveyed over 70 electric and natural gas utilities on their 2015 low-income program spending, energy savings, customer participation, and best practices.
Resource - Publications

Lending for Energy Efficiency Upgrades in Low- to Moderate-Income Communities: Bank of America's Energy Efficiency Finance Program

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
This paper analyzes Bank of America's $55 million initiative to provide low-cost funding and grant support to advance energy efficiency investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The funding supported community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in developing and enhancing efficiency programs for residential, commercial, and multifamily buildings. We report on loan performance, energy savings, and the degree to which the savings offset the cost of the energy efficiency investment.
Resource - Publications

Lifting the High Energy Burden in America's Largest Cities: How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Low-Income and Underserved Communities

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Energy burden is the percentage of household income spent on home energy bills. In this report, ACEEE, along with the Energy Efficiency for All coalition, measures the energy burden of households in 48 of the largest American cities. The report finds that low-income, African-American, Latino, low-income multifamily, and renter households all spend a greater proportion of their income on utilities than the average family. The report also identifies energy efficiency as an underutilized strategy that can help reduce high energy burdens by as much as 30%. Given this potential, the report goes on to describe policies and programs to ramp up energy efficiency investments in low-income and underserved communities.
Resource - Publications

Building Better Energy Efficiency Programs for Low-Income Households

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Vermont
This report details opportunities for scaling up program activity and increasing savings from programs reaching the people who need it most. It discussed best practices from existing programs for overcoming many of the key challenges that program administrators face, including how to address housing deficiencies that prevent energy efficiency upgrades, how to address cost effectiveness challenges, and how to serve hard-to-reach households.
Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency and the Clean Power Plan: Steps to Success

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy
This paper examines the current state of energy efficiency financing, highlighting segments of strength such as cars, green buildings, and energy service companies, and offering areas that are underserved, including residential low-income and moderate-income households and multifamily housing
Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency through Tenant Engagement: A Pilot Behavioral Program for Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
In 2014, ACEEE launched a pilot program to test a variety of behavioral strategies to promote energy efficiency among tenants in low- to moderate-income multifamily housing in Takoma Park, Maryland. The program included behavioral messaging, events, educational information, and the distribution of energy saving devices. ACEEE measured energy use in the months before and after the pilot. The white paper includes these results, insights for the development of future behavioral change programs, and recommended engagement strategies for targeted communities.
Resource - Publications

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

2014 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Myths of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: Implications for Outreach

Author(s)
Opower
Publication Date
2014
Low-income energy efficiency programs provide financially vulnerable utility customers with important energy savings. To date, low-income programs have faced challenges in driving participation -- fueling myths that suggest low-income populations are difficult to reach. This paper explores these myths in turn.
Resource - Publications

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: A Baseline Assessment of Programs Serving the 51 Largest Cities

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2017

This paper is a baseline assessment of electric and natural gas energy efficiency programs that target low-income households in the largest metropolitan areas in the country. ACEEE surveyed over 70 electric and natural gas utilities on their 2015 low-income program spending, energy savings, customer participation, and best practices.

Resource - Publications

Massachusetts Special and Cross-Cutting Research Area: Low-Income Single-Family Health- and Safety-Related Non-Energy Impacts (NEIs) Study

Author(s)
Three3, Inc.,
NMR Group, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

This study assesses and monetizes a sub-set of non-energy benefits experienced by recipients of energy efficiency services residing in income-eligible households in MA, including: reduced asthma; reduced cold-related thermal stress; reduced heat-related thermal stress; reduced missed days at work; reduced use of short-term, high interest loans; increased home productivity due to improvements in sleep; reduced carbon monoxide poisoning; and reduced home fires.

Resource - Publications

Non-Energy Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Programs in Multifamily Housing: The Clean Power Plan and Policy Implications

Author(s)
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
Publication Date
2016

This literature review explores how residential energy efficiency and health interventions can confer positive economic, health, and environmental non-energy benefits at the individual and community level, thereby leading to significant savings while improving the quality of life and resiliency of low income households. The paper closes with policy recommendations to unlock the savings of non-energy benefits from smart energy efficient investments.

Resource - Publications

Green & Healthy Homes Initiative: Improving Health, Economic, and Social Outcomes Through Integrated Housing Intervention

Author(s)
Environmental Justice
Publication Date
2014

This paper found that improved health outcomes and more stable, productive homes in primarily African American, low-income neighborhoods are related to the mitigation of asthma triggers and home-based environmental health hazards and that upstream investments in low-income housing have the potential for generating sustainable returns on investment and cost savings related to improved health, productivity gains, and wealth retention due to energy conservation.

Resource - Publications

Indoor Environmental Quality Benefits of Apartment Energy Retrofits

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2013

This paper describes the changes in indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions (air quality and thermal comfort conditions) from health and home performance improvements in 16 apartments serving low-income populations within three buildings in different California climates and seasons.

Resource - Publications

Health and Household-Related Benefits Attributable to the Weatherization Assistance Program

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
2014

This report describes and monetizes numerous health and home performance benefits attributable to the weatherization of low-income homes by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

Resource - Publications

California Senate Bill (SB) 350 Low-Income Barriers Study

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Publication Date
2016

This study focused on barriers to, and opportunities for, solar photovoltaic energy generation; opportunities for, access to other renewable energy by low-income customers; contracting opportunities for local small businesses in disadvantaged communities; low-income customers to energy efficiency and weatherization investments, including those in disadvantaged communities. It also provides recommendations on how to increase access to energy efficiency and weatherization investments to low-income customers.

Resource - Publications

Multifamily Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Barriers and Opportunities for Deep Energy Savings

Author(s)
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource,
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Michigan Saves,
ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program,
Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program,
Set the PACE St. Louis,
City of Chicago,
Energy Outreach Colorado,
Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program

This report was developed to help inform national stakeholders about the strategies that have been used to achieve deep energy savings in the multifamily housing sector through energy efficiency upgrades. These strategies could be used as models in areas where utility program administrators and policymakers seek to achieve deep energy savings in the multifamily building stock for the purposes of reducing energy costs, creating comfortable and healthy homes, meeting regulatory requirements, or reducing the environmental impacts of energy consumption. This report includes a national multifamily market characterization, barriers and opportunities for program and policy efforts, and eight exemplary case studies from across the country.

Resource - Publications

Public Housing: A Tailored Approach to Energy Retrofits

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

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building America research team, Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions Collaborative (ARIES), worked with four public housing authorities (PHAs) to develop packages of energy-efficiency retrofit measures that PHAs can cost-effectively implement with their own staffs during the normal course of housing operations when units are refurbished between occupancies. More than 1 million public housing units supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide rental housing for eligible low-income families across the country, ranging from single-family houses to multifamily, high-rise apartments.

Resource - Publications

Lending for Energy Efficiency Upgrades in Low- to Moderate-Income Communities: Bank of America's Energy Efficiency Finance Program

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy,
Enhabit

This paper analyzes Bank of America's $55 million initiative to provide low-cost funding and grant support to advance energy efficiency investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The funding supported community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in developing and enhancing efficiency programs for residential, commercial, and multifamily buildings. We report on loan performance, energy savings, and the degree to which the savings offset the cost of the energy efficiency investment.

Resource - Publications

Building Better Energy Efficiency Programs for Low-Income Households

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Vermont

This report details opportunities for scaling up program activity and increasing savings from programs reaching the people who need it most. It discussed best practices from existing programs for overcoming many of the key challenges that program administrators face, including how to address housing deficiencies that prevent energy efficiency upgrades, how to address cost effectiveness challenges, and how to serve hard-to-reach households.

Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency and the Clean Power Plan: Steps to Success

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Elevate Energy

This paper examines the current state of energy efficiency financing, highlighting segments of strength such as cars, green buildings, and energy service companies, and offering areas that are underserved, including residential low-income and moderate-income households and multifamily housing.

Resource - Publications

Shared Renewable Energy for Low- to Moderate-Income Consumers: Policy Guidelines and Model Provisions

Author(s)
Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
Publication Date
2016

This report provides information and tools for policymakers, regulators, utilities, shared renewable energy developers, program administrators and others to support the adoption and implementation of shared renewables programs specifically designed to provide tangible benefits to low income and moderate income individuals and households.

Resource - Publications

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Low-Income Communities: a Guide to EPA Programs

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
2016

This guide is designed to help state and local governments reduce carbon emissions by connecting them with EPA programs that can help them expand or develop their own energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in ways that benefit low-income communities. The guide can also be used by low-income community leaders and stakeholder groups to better understand how they might participate in and take advantage of EPA initiatives to help their communities save energy.

Resource - Publications

Lifting the High Energy Burden in America's Largest Cities: How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Low-Income and Underserved Communities

Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
2016

Energy burden is the percentage of household income spent on home energy bills. In this report, ACEEE, along with the Energy Efficiency for All coalition, measures the energy burden of households in 48 of the largest American cities. The report finds that low-income, African-American, Latino, low-income multifamily, and renter households all spend a greater proportion of their income on utilities than the average family. The report also identifies energy efficiency as an underutilized strategy that can help reduce high energy burdens by as much as 30%. Given this potential, the report goes on to describe policies and programs to ramp up energy efficiency investments in low-income and underserved communities.

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

Multifamily Housing Rehabilitation Process Improvements

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

The research described in this report holds great potential to significantly improve the process for including energy efficiency in developing and implementing federally funded multifamily rehabilitation projects through the USDA, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and other programs.

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

Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Energy Programs: Performance and Possibilities

Author(s)
APPRISE Inc.
Publication Date
2007

The purpose of this study is to furnish comprehensive information on ratepayer-funded low-income energy programs. This study includes information on and analysis of the energy needs of low-income households, the legal and regulatory framework supporting ratepayer-funded programs, program design options, and the findings from evaluations of program effectiveness.

Resource - Publications

2014 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Myths of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: Implications for Outreach

Author(s)
Opower
Publication Date
2014

Low-income energy efficiency programs provide financially vulnerable utility customers with important energy savings. To date, low-income programs have faced challenges in driving participation -- fueling myths that suggest low-income populations are difficult to reach. This paper explores these myths in turn.

Resource - Publications

Less Is More: Transforming Low-Income Communities Through Energy Efficiency

Author(s)
Habitat for Humanity
Publication Date
2015

This report discusses how low income communities can be transformed through energy efficiency. Many of our fellow citizens face energy costs that are excessive compared with their overall incomes, yet they cannot afford to invest in the energy efficiency measures that would reduce their energy cost burden. Families nationwide are often forced to choose between necessities such as food or medications and paying their energy bills to heat and cool their homes. Private and public resources are available to help Americans, but these resources reach only a small percentage of underserved households.

Resource - Publications

Reducing Energy Costs in Rental Housing: The Need and the Potential

Author(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Publication Date
2013

Low-income tenants bear a particularly large burden for energy costs. Because their costs nearly equal those of higher income renters, energy accounts for larger shares of their incomes and overall housing costs. In 2011, more than one-fourth of all renter households had incomes below $15,000. These lowest-income renters devoted $91 per month to tenant paid utilities, while renters with incomes above $75,000 paid $135.

Resource - Publications

Unlocking Energy Efficiency for Low-Income Utility Customers: Four Key Lessons from Real-World Program Experience

Author(s)
Opower
Publication Date
2014

With so much to gain, how can we optimize low-income energy efficiency programs to maximize the benefits for financially vulnerable citizens, as well as program implementers and the broader population of ratepayers? This paper shares four important lessons for engaging low-income customers based on Opower’s experience in partnering with utilities to serve the low-income population.

Resource - Publications

Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
2011

This report provides state and local policymakers with information on successful approaches to the design and implementation of residential efficiency programs for households ineligible for low-income programs.

Resource - Publications

Left to Our Own Devices: Financing Efficiency for Small Businesses and Low-Income Families

Author(s)
Environmental Defense Fund
Publication Date
2009
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart,
Windsor Efficiency PAYS,
Berkeley Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology (FIRST)

Report that identifies and evaluates the sufficiency of available financing options to help low-income populations, particularly communities that have been historically overburdened by air pollution (i.e., "environmental justice communities"), invest in resource-saving measures, such as energy efficiency and water conservation.

Resource - Publications

DOE Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center Website

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
2017
This website for DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program provides a virtual library of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for helping low-income families reduce energy costs.
Resource - Publications

A Short Guide to Setting up a City-Scale Retrofit Program

Author(s)
Green For All,
Center on Wisconsin Strategy
Publication Date
2009

This guide provides energy efficiency program design guidance for local and regional programs. It focuses on cost-saving energy efficiency strategies, creation of high quality jobs, and services for the low-income sector.

Resource - Publications

BayREN Energy Efficiency Business Plan 2018­-2025

Author(s)
Bay Area Regional Energy Network
Publication Date
2017
Organizations or Programs
Bay Area Regional Energy Network

This business plan outlines the Bay Area Regional Energy Network's (BayREN) ten-year vision, with goals, strategies, and tactics to increase the access and availability of energy efficiency services to a broad range of ratepayers and sectors, including moderate income residents, multifamily property owners, small and medium commercial businesses, and local government municipalities.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Efficiency Maine Low-Income Multifamily Weatherization Evaluation Report

Author(s)
NMR Group, Inc.,
Energy Futures Group
Publication Date
2016
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine

This report presents the results from a comprehensive impact and process evaluation of Efficiency Maine's Low-Income Multifamily Weatherization Program.

Resource - Program Presentations & Reports

Pagination

  • 1
  • 2
  • ›› Next page
  • Last » Last page

Content Type

  • Resource (86)
  • Handbook (18)
  • Tips for Success (6)

Resource Type

Program Components

  • Market Position & Business Model (27)
  • Program Design & Customer Experience (56)
  • Evaluation & Data Collection (11)
  • Marketing & Outreach (11)
  • Financing (20)
  • Contractor Engagement & Workforce Development (4)

Program Design Phases

  • Overview (3)
  • Strategy Development (63)
  • Planning (48)
  • Implementation (33)
  • Evaluation (13)

States or Territories

  • Alabama (2)
  • Arizona (3)
  • California (22)
  • Colorado (11)
  • Connecticut (6)
  • DC (1)
  • Florida (6)
  • Georgia (4)
  • Illinois (11)
  • Indiana (4)
  • Kansas (2)
  • Kentucky (1)
  • Louisiana (2)
  • Maine (3)
  • Maryland (11)
  • Massachusetts (10)
  • Michigan (7)
  • Minnesota (2)
  • Missouri (4)
  • Nevada (3)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Jersey (2)
  • New York (9)
  • North Carolina (4)
  • Ohio (3)
  • Oklahoma (1)
  • Oregon (6)
  • Pennsylvania (6)
  • Rhode Island (2)
  • Tennessee (1)
  • Texas (6)
  • Vermont (5)
  • Virginia (3)
  • Washington (7)
  • Washington DC (2)
  • West Virginia (1)
  • Wisconsin (4)

Organizations or Programs

  • Elevate Energy (7)
  • Energy Outreach Colorado (6)
  • Efficiency Vermont (4)
  • Better Buildings Program San Jose (3)
  • Enhabit (3)
  • Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) Program (3)
  • Michigan Saves (3)
  • Be SMART (2)
  • California Alternate Rate for Energy (CARE) Program (2)
  • City of Chicago (2)
  • ConEdison’s Brooklyn Queens Demand Management Program (2)
  • EmPOWER Maryland (2)
  • Florida's Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program (2)
  • Massachusetts Low-Income Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program (2)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (2)
  • Set the PACE St. Louis (2)
  • Austin Energy (1)
  • Bay Area Regional Energy Network Multifamily Building Enhancements (1)
  • Beacon Communities Project (1)
  • Berkeley Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology (FIRST) (1)
  • CenterPoint Energy (1)
  • CNT Energy (1)
  • Community Power Works (1)
  • Con Edison Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (1)
  • DC Sustainable Energy Utility Low-Income Multifamily Initiative (1)
  • Efficiency Maine (1)
  • EmPower New York (1)
  • Energize Connecticut (1)
  • Energize Phoenix (1)
  • Energy Impact Illinois (1)
  • Energy Outreach California (1)
  • EnergySmart (1)
  • Energy Trust of Oregon (1)
  • EnergyWorks (1)
  • EnergyWorks KC (1)
  • Focus on Energy (1)
  • Indianapolis Better Buildings Program (1)
  • Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) (1)
  • Long Island Green Homes (1)
  • National Grid Rhode Island (1)
  • Puget Sound Energy (1)
  • RePower Bainbridge (1)
  • RePower Bremerton (1)
  • RePower Kitsap (1)
  • Small Town Energy Program (STEP) (1)
  • Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) (1)
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) (1)
  • Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) (1)
  • Windsor Efficiency PAYS (1)
  • Xcel Energy (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