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Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy
The adoption of intelligent efficiency applications is increasing across multiple sectors of the economy. This report analyzes over two dozen of these applications in the buildings, manufacturing, transportation, and government sectors. We describe the technologies involved, characterize their use, and quantify their deployment. We also look at several enabling and cross-cutting technologies and the use of intelligent efficiency in utility-sector energy efficiency programs.
Author(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

The adoption of intelligent efficiency applications is increasing across multiple sectors of the economy. This report analyzes over two dozen of these applications in the buildings, manufacturing, transportation, and government sectors. We describe the technologies involved, characterize their use, and quantify their deployment. We also look at several enabling and cross-cutting technologies and the use of intelligent efficiency in utility-sector energy efficiency programs.

Author(s)
Energy Futures Group,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Efficiency Maine,
Connecticut Home Energy Savings Program. PSE&G's Home Performance Direct Program,
Kentucky Power's Modified Energy Fitness Program,
Efficiency Vermont,
Energize Connecticut,
Mass Save,
EmPOWER Maryland,
Focus on Energy,
Austin Energy

This report provides a comprehensive review and analysis of home energy upgrade programs with proven track records, focusing on those with robustly verified savings and constituting good examples for replication. This meta-analysis describes program models and implementation strategies for direct install upgrades; heating, HVAC replacement and early retirement; and comprehensive, whole-home upgrades.

Author(s)
Institute for Market Transformation
Publication Date
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.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA),
Austin Energy

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on opportunities and challenges in the Southeast and holistic, whole house approaches for working in hot and humid climates.

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

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

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Nova Scotia,
Enhabit,
EnergyFit Nevada

The Better Buildings Residential Network Social Media toolkit can be used to help residential energy efficiency programs learn to engage potential customers through social media. Social media can build brand awareness concerning home energy upgrades and the entities working on them, which can lead to more energy upgrade projects taking place in the long run. This toolkit will help program managers and their staff with decisions like what social media works best for various program needs. When aligned with other marketing and outreach efforts, social media can be a useful tool in attracting home energy upgrade customers. Note that social media changes constantly, so users of this toolkit need to regularly reassess their methods and review results to ensure goals are being met.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Energize New York,
Energize Connecticut,
EnergySmart Colorado

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on approaches to improve and sustain quality customer service for residential energy efficiency work.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on how pet-based marketing can promote residential energy efficiency.

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on types of incentives.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Energize Phoenix,
Austin Energy,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on combining solar and home performance energy efficiency.

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on the benefits and disadvantages of combining solar and home performance goals simultaneously.

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on strategies and advantages of combining energy and water conservation services.

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This marketing plan describes a social mobilization approach that leverages social networking, including social media, and word-of-mouth marketing to raise awareness and drive customers to program services. It provides strategies and tactics to target audiences most likely to participate, building on market research and audience segmentation to develop a message platform specifically designed to address their key motivating factors and barriers.

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This contractor process flowchart from EnergySmart Colorado includes the phases of contractor qualifications review and preparation, site work, and follow up.

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Table summarizing financing options for Colorado residents in EnergySmart Colorado territory.

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on ways to reach out to landlords.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Community Energy Challenge,
Community Power Works

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on quality assurance and control, standardization of upgrades and workforce expectations.

Author(s)
Dave Hatchimonji, EnergySmart
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Overview of lessons learned from EnergySmart Colorado's energy advisor model.

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

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on introducing and building interest in multi-family energy efficiency.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Community Energy Challenge,
SustainableWorks,
Enhabit

This peer exchange call summary focused on using approved contractor lists and matching customers with contractors based on processes/criteria.

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example survey about a homeowner's experience with a visit from an energy advisor as part of EnergySmart in Boulder County, Colorado.

Author(s)
The University of Texas at Austin
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy
This presentation shares the results of the Austin Energy Poll, including insights on U.S. consumer opinions and attitudes toward energy efficiency, climate change, energy consumption, pricing, development, and regulation.
Author(s)
Resources for the Future
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy

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

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on moving from assessments to upgrades in multifamily buildings.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2)

This summary from a Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call focused on working with the real estate sector to promote and drive demand for energy efficiency.

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
In 2011 the City of Boulder, Colorado enacted its “SmartRegs” ordinances that require all single family and multifamily rental properties to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by January 2019. The SmartRegs initiative is designed to help the city achieve its ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals and to improve the quality, safety, and marketability of Boulder’s rental housing stock.

Clean Energy Program Funding: EPA Local Climate and Webcast Series

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Green Works Orlando,
Community Energy Challenge,
Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL)

Three-part webinar series. Part I discusses how to design and implement funding programs, line up partners, and gain support for clean energy programs through both conventional and non-conventional methods. Part II discusses how to locate available sources of funding. Part III explains how to leverage existing funds and make clean energy investments more affordable for clean energy program audiences.

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

This peer exchange call summary focused on the relationship between contract pricing and customers.

Author(s)
Navigant, Inc. (Prepared for Boulder County)
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This progress report provides community members and others interested in EnergySmart with a clear snapshot of its progress. The report also provides a timeline of energy efficiency policies and programs in Boulder County.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergySmart Colorado

This peer exchange call summary focused on multifamily information technology tools for project information, marketing, assessment, tracking and evaluation.

Part I: Getting Started: Answering Big Picture Funding Questions

Author(s)
Neelam Patel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Pat McGuckin, The Cadmus Group, Inc.,
Richard Dooley, Arlington County, Virginia,
Shawn Collins, Opportunity Council,
Alex Ramel, Sustainable Connections
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Community Energy Challenge,
Green Works Orlando

This webcast (Part I of a three-part series) covers the big picture questions that local governments should consider for funding clean energy programs. What resources are available? What are the program priorities? How can these programs pay for themselves? What funding is available? The webinar guides local governments through these and other questions in the context of their own unique circumstances and illustrates the concepts through case studies that explore how local governments have used both conventional and unconventional methods to gain support, line up partners, and design and implement their funding programs.

Author(s)
Climate Solutions
Publication Date
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.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Maine,
EnergySmart Colorado,
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergyWorks,
EnergyWorks KC,
Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
This fact sheet provides promising approaches for Better Buildings programs seeking to accelerate workforce development to support building energy upgrades. These approaches are organized by estimated level of effort and include rough estimates of cost ranges for implementation.
Author(s)
Melissa Glickman, Boulder County, Colorado (now EnergySmart)
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

EnergySmart Colorado uses surveys and a customer database to get feedback from homeowners that helps fine-tune program services and operations.

Author(s)
Jill Maness, Austin Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy
An introduction to Austin Energy's workforce development program, which helps engage contractors in efforts to make homes more energy efficient.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
BetterBuildings for Michigan,
CharlestonWISE,
Enhabit,
Community Power Works,
Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,
Efficiency Maine,
emPowerSBC,
Energize Bedford,
Energize Phoenix,
EnergySmart Colorado,
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergyWorks,
Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),
Green Madison,
BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade,
Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2),
Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team - A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO),
NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,
New Hampshire BetterBuildings,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
reEnergize,
RePower Kitsap,
RePower Bainbridge,
RePower Bremerton

This presentation includes the brands, website addresses, and images for most of the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program partners.

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Bridgeport Housing Authority Energy Efficiency,
City of Pendleton,
OR,
Enhabit,
ClimateSmart Initiative,
Colorado ENERGY STAR Homes,
Connecticut Solar Lease,
Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),
Long Island Green Homes,
Montana Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program,
Palm Desert Energy Independence Program,
Sonoma County Energy Independence Program,
Sustainable Connections: Energy Challenge,
Texas LoanSTAR

This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resource is intended to help state and local governments design finance programs for their jurisdiction. It describes financing program options, key components of these programs, and factors to consider as they make decisions about getting started or updating their programs.

Engaging Financial Institution Partners

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Community Energy Challenge,
Michigan Saves
This webcast provides guidance about the financial stakeholder engagement process and offers lessons from the field.

Financial Program Management for Continuous Improvement

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado,
emPowerSBC
This webcast discussed financial program management.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
EnergySmart Colorado

Clean Energy Works Oregon's (now Enhabit's) experience implementing an on-bill financing program.

Author(s)
EnergySmart Colorado
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
Example of a program design flowchart showing key steps and relationships for the energy efficiency program in Eagle County, Colorado.
Author(s)
Chris Lohmann, U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
emPowerSBC,
EnergySmart Colorado

Presentation providing an overview of financing programs, a strategy for continuous improvement, tools for program management, a risk management strategy, and common risks associated with financing programs.

Author(s)
EnergySmart
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example of an implementation plan developed by EnergySmart Colorado at the beginning of the implementation of its Better Buildings Neighborhood Program.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

This presentation provides a list of resources and tips for running a social media campaign.

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
Gary R. Myers, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
This presentation explains how to engage and motivate contractors and utility companies through the use of commitments, creating a dynamic program that they can become involved with, and the setting of standards for contractors.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Enhabit,
Austin Energy

This peer exchange call summary focused on available program interest rates and how to lower those rates.

Author(s)
Austin Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy
A project planning timetable template from Austin Energy that reflects all program planning activities, including marketing.
Author(s)
Home Performance Resource Center
Publication Date
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.

Author(s)
Boulder County, Colorado
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado

Example Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide Boulder County, Colorado with support services for its Retrofit Ramp Up Program including a social mobilization campaign, database management services, and marketing/public relations services for the both the residential and commercial parts of the Program.

Author(s)
National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

This report summarizes existing research and discusses current practices, opportunities, and barriers to coordinating energy efficiency and demand response programs.

Designing Effective Incentives to Drive Residential Retrofit Program Participation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Austin Energy,
Efficiency Maine,
New Jersey Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Efficiency Vermont

This webcast covers information about designing effective incentives to drive residential retrofit program participation.

How to Design a Community Energy Alliance

Author(s)
Ben Taube and Jolyn Newton, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance,
Eric Mackres, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
City of Decatur Kilowatt Crackdown,
Community Energy Challenge,
Go Green Nashville,
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Webcast on how to design a community energy alliance.
Author(s)
Eagle County, Colorado
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
EnergySmart Colorado
This is a sample request for proposals (RFP) from Eagle County, Colorado, for marketing services.

Financing Program Support for ARRA Recipients - PACE Webinar

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Energy Upgrade California,
EnergySmart Colorado

Webcast with information on financing structure design for four energy efficiency upgrade programs, including methods used to conduct market evaluations.

Author(s)
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Publication Date
Organizations or Programs
Buckeye Green Building Program,
Chandler Green Building Program,
Pima County Residential Green Building Program,
Scottsdale Green Building Program,
Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership,
Rohnert Park Green Building Program,
Green County San Bernardino,
Albuquerque Green Path Program,
City of Boulder,
CO,
Boulder County BuildSmart Program,
Nevada Sierra Green,
Santa Fe Residential Green Building Code,
Eagle County ECObuild,
Aspen & Pitkin County,
CO Efficient Building Program,
Austin Energy,
EnergySmart

This guide helps states and localities develop voluntary or mandatory programs that go well beyond minimum code requirements for new buildings. It addresses energy efficiency materials and resource conservation, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and site development and land use.

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