Resources | Residential Program Guide

BetterBuildings for Michigan: Program Finds Community "Readiness" Is the Key to More Retrofits

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2014

Organizations or Programs

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This U.S. Department of Energy Focus Series highlights the BetterBuildings for Michigan program’s community readiness assessment tool.

It's Academic: BetterBuildings for Michigan Partners With University to Reach Employees

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2013

Organizations or Programs

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This Focus Series interview discusses the semester-long, employer-assisted partnership between BetterBuildings for Michigan and Grand Valley State University (GVSU). This successful partnership involved an early adopter outreach campaign and served as a model for other program partnerships.

Reactions to the Residential Retrofit Roundtable Recommendations

Author(s)

Richard Faesy and Chris Kramer, Energy Futures Group (Prepared for the Energy Foundation)

Publication Date

2013

Organizations or Programs

Enhabit,

Michigan Saves,

BetterBuildings for Michigan,

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),

NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad,

Energy Works,

Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP),

Efficiency Maine,

Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA)

This report explores the approaches and research needs identified in the Building Retrofit Industry and Market (BRIM) Initiative through in-depth discussion with residential energy upgrade experts including a discussion of Marketing & Outreach and the program/contractor interface.

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.

Improving Quality Through Performance Metrics

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This video explains how Better Buildings for Michigan's performance metrics and quality assurance enabled them to encourage high-performing contractors, to help underperforming contractors improve, and ultimately to dismiss some contractors.

Innovative Energy Efficiency Projects Implemented by Local Governments in the Southwest

Author(s)

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

City of Tempe AZ,

City of Flagstaff Residential Energy Retrofit Program,

Silver City and Grant County Energy $ense,

City of Mesa AZ,

City of Reno Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiative,

EnergySmart,

City of Espanola NM,

Salt Lake County's Energy Smart Loan Program

Descriptions of eight county-level and city-level energy efficiency programs in the Southwest.

Mentoring Benefits Both Program and Contractor

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This video provides an overview of Better Buildings for Michigan's mentoring program for contractors, and the high value that contractors and the program gain from mentoring.

Promising Approaches to Accelerate Workforce Development for Building Energy Upgrades

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

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.

Spotlight on Michigan: Experiment to Find the Right Mix of Incentives

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This case study discusses BetterBuildings for Michigan's targeted outreach campaigns which applied varying incentives and outreach strategies to neighborhoods with a goal to understand which rebates and strategies work best in the target communities.

Spotlight on Michigan: Sweeping the State for Ultimate Success

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2011

Organizations or Programs

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This case study describes an innovative program design used by BetterBuildings for Michigan to "sweep" neighborhoods in order to effectively reach its residential audience and achieve an 80% participation rate among those canvassed.

State Energy Efficiency Loan Programs

Author(s)

Alliance to Save Energy

Publication Date

2009

Organizations or Programs

Texas LoanSTAR,

Kansas Energy Efficiency Program,

Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

This brief focuses on loan programs in 30 states that are currently providing low- to no-interest loans to finance energy efficiency improvements--from energy-efficient windows to replacement HVAC systems--in the residential, business, and public sectors.