Resources | Residential Program Guide

Catalyzing Efficiency: Unlocking Energy Information and Value in Apartment Buildings

Author(s)

Institute for Market Transformation

Publication Date

2016

Organizations or Programs

Elevate Energy,

Austin Energy,

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),

Mass Save,

City of New York’s Retrofit Accelerator,

Seattle RENEW Multi-Family Housing Program

This report explores how governments and energy efficiency implementers could help stakeholders better analyze and act upon building performance data to unlock savings.

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.

A Policymaker’s Guide to Scaling Home Energy Upgrades

Author(s)

State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network

Publication Date

2015

Organizations or Programs

EnergySmart,

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),

Enhabit,

Mass Save,

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA),

Manitoba Hydro,

Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),

Michigan Saves,

Warehouse for Energy Efficiency Loans,

Austin Energy,

Efficiency Vermot,

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,

Illinois Home Performance with Energy Star,

Build It Green,

Earth Advantage,

Elevate Energy,

Arizona Public Service (APS),

Pacific Gas and Electric Company,

NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad

This Guide is designed to help state and local policymakers to take full advantage of new policy developments by providing them with a comprehensive set of tools to support launching or accelerating residential energy efficiency programs. The Guide focuses on four categories of policies that have proven particularly effective in providing a framework within which residential energy efficiency programs can thrive: incentives and financing, making the value of energy efficiency visible in the real estate market, data access and standardization, and supporting utility system procurement of energy efficiency.

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.

Better Buildings Neighborhood Program Grantee Incentives

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

Atlanta SHINE,

Be SMART,

Beacon Communities Project,

BetterBuildings for Michigan,

BetterBuildings for Greensboro,

BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,

Camden POWER - A Better Buildings Initiative,

CarrboroWISE,

City of Indianapolis Better Buildings Program,

Chapel Hill WISE,

CharlestonWISE,

Enhabit,

Community Alliance for Energy Efficiency (Cafe2),

Community Power Works,

Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,

DecaturWISE,

Efficiency Maine,

emPowerSBC,

Energize Phoenix,

EnergyFit Nevada,

Energy Impact Illinois,

EnergySmart,

Energy Upgrade California,

EnergyWorks,

Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative,

Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),

Huntsville WISE,

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),

Michigan Saves,

Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team - A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO),

NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),

reEnergize,

RePower Kitsap,

RePower Bainbridge,

RePower Bremerton,

Richmond Regional Energy Alliance (RREA),

ShopSmart with JEA,

Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF),

Small Town Energy Program (STEP),

Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC),

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)

This publication summarizes some of the incentives offered by Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Early Investment in Infrastructure is a Key to Success

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

In this video interview segment, Andy Holzhauser of Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance discusses the importance of making early investments in infrastructure (i.e., staff and technology).

Messaging to Motivate

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

RePower Kitsap,

RePower Bainbridge,

RePower Bremerton

In this video interview segment, Yvonne Kraus of Conservation Services Group in Bainbridge Island, Washington, discusses why the RePower program created multiple branding and messaging themes.

Partnerships Can Benefit Energy Efficiency Programs and Utilities

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

RePower Kitsap,

RePower Bainbridge,

RePower Bremerton

In this video interview segment, Yvonne Kraus of Conservation Services Group describes how program and utility partnerships can co-benefit each other.

Powering the New Energy Future From the Ground Up

Author(s)

Climate Solutions

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

Hailey's Community Climate Challenge,

EnergySmart,

Eugene Water and Electric Board,

Community Energy Challenge,

Hailey's Community Climate Challenge,

Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project,

Knoxville,

TN,

Oberlin Project,

Energize New York,

RePower Kitsap,

RePower Bainbridge,

RePower Bremerton,

Burlington Sustainability Action Team,

Gainesville Regional Utilities,

Hillsboro Solar Advantage,

Issaquah,

WA,

MPower Madison Program,

Solarize Pendleton,

Clear the Air Challenge,

Santa Fe,

NM,

West Union,

IA,

Sustainable Williamson,

CharlestonWISE,

City of Aiken,

SC,

City Green Initiative,

Kilowatt Cruncher Challenge,

Smarter Sustainable Dubuque,

Small Cities Climate Action Partnership,

City of Grand Rapids,

MI,

Town of GreenÞeld,

MA,

City of Keene,

NH,

Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL),

Clean Local Energy Accessible Now,

RichmondBuild Pre-apprenticeship Construction Skills and Green Jobs Training Academy

This report from Climate Solutions analyzes small- to medium-sized American cities that are using successful methods to further clean energy economic development. Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners that are featured in the report include Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, Washington; Boulder, Colorado; Bedford, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The report includes details on the how the featured cities funded their projects, found successful models to reach their goals, and to see which new projects are off to a promising start.

Understanding Your Market

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

RePower Kitsap,

RePower Bainbridge,

RePower Bremerton

In this video interview segment, Will Ranes of RePower Kitsap discusses the importance of understanding your market, including being able to speak the language of utilities and other key players.

Overview of Marketing Methods for Local Retrofit Programs

Author(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Publication Date

2011

Organizations or Programs

Cambridge Energy Alliance,

Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),

Neighborhood Energy Action Partnership,

WeatherizeDC

This report shares strategies for marketing local energy efficiency programs, particularly through focused messaging, leveraging partnerships, and social media.

Spotlight on Austin, Texas: Let Your Contractor Be Your Guide for Big Rewards

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2011

Organizations or Programs

Austin Energy

This case study discusses strategies that Austin Energy, a municipally owned utility, used to collaborate closely with building contractors to launch a new Best Offer Ever promotion quickly and effectively.

Best Practices for Energy Retrofit Program Design: Business Models Recommendations

Author(s)

Home Performance Resource Center

Publication Date

2010

Organizations or Programs

Austin Energy,

Long Island Green Homes,

New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),

Enhabit

This paper, which is based on detailed case studies of nine existing state and local programs, presents recommendations for energy upgrade programs to facilitate industry growth and support contractor business models.

State and Regional Policies that Promote Energy Efficiency Programs Carried out by Electric and Gas Utilities

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2007

Organizations or Programs

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),

Flex Your Power Program,

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),

Focus on Energy,

Austin Energy

This report provides comprehensive information on state, federal, local, and utility incentives and policies that are in place to support renewable energy and energy efficiency.