Resources | Residential Program Guide

Better Buildings Residential Network Social Media Toolkit

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2015

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.

Strategies for Improving Efficiency in Delivering Efficiency

Author(s)

Cynthia Adams, Local Energy Alliance Program,

Larry Earegood, Consumers Energy (MI),

John Schott, NYSERDA,

Gavin Hastings, Arizona Public Service,

Emily Salzberg, Washington State University Energy,

Adam Buick, Community Power Works (WA),

Bob Knight, BKi

Publication Date

2014

Organizations or Programs

Arizona Public Service (APS),

Community Power Works,

Energy Upgrade California,

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),

Michigan Home Performance with ENERGY STAR,

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

RePower Kitsap

Quick summaries of strategies various programs have used to improve the efficiency of delivering efficiency.

Home Energy Makeover Contests: Who Are the Winners and Losers in Motivating Existing Homeowners to Make "Whole House" Energy Saving Improvements

Author(s)

UtilityExchange.org,

Building Performance Institute

Publication Date

2013

Organizations or Programs

Atlanta SHINE,

DecaturWISE,

CharlestonWISE,

Enhabit,

Energy Upgrade California,

Help My House,

FirstEnergy,

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),

NOLA WISE

This paper first details industry best practices for contest administration, including tips for developing an overall contest plan and timeline, product sponsor recruitment, building a dynamic informational website, maximizing customer participation, selecting the winning home, seamless installation management, capturing and documenting project results, conducting a high profile media open house and facilitating customer workshops that educate homeowners and strengthen trade ally relationships. This paper then presents results and key lessons learned from more than 20 contests supported with funds from local community sustainability programs, utility energy efficiency programs, and U.S. Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds between 2008 and 2012.

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.

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.

Revenue From Contractor Fees

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),

BetterBuildings for Michigan

This peer exchange call summary focused on how programs are devising plans for creating a contractor revenue stream and potential fee structures.

Shared Value in Utility and Efficiency Partnerships - Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Author(s)

Nikki Kuhn, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

Energize Phoenix,

Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge,

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP),

Long Island Power Authority (LIPA),

Efficiency Vermont

Presentation that focuses on grantee program-utility partnership models.

Strategies for Marketing and Driving Demand for Commercial Financing Products

Publication Date

2012

Organizations or Programs

Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2),

Energize Phoenix,

Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA),

Michigan Saves

This peer exchange call summary focused on the challenges and strategies for marketing commercial financial products and attracting financial institutions.

Better Buildings Program: Brands & Websites

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

2011

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.