Exemplary Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: Results from A National Search and Selection: Exemplary Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: Results from A National Search and Selection Dan York, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy


“Exemplary” utility-funded low-income energy efficiency programs: “Exemplary” utility-funded low-income energy efficiency programs In spring of 2005 ACEEE initiated a national search for “exemplary” low-income energy efficiency programs. ACEEE staff worked with an expert panel to select programs to be recognized as “exemplary” or “honorable mention.” Objective was to identify and describe programs worthy of emulation.


Selection Criteria: Selection Criteria Positive energy and cost savings impacts Replicability Innovation Participant satisfaction Unique services Stakeholder support While all factors weighed, it was the judgment of the panel that determined programs selected—”scoring” was done more as an initial screening of candidates.


Additional project objectives: Additional project objectives Sought a mix of programs that represents the variety of approaches, structures, providers and services provided in this sector. Result was a set of exemplary programs—not the set---clearly didn’t include all such programs. Wanted to produce a “catalog” of exemplary programs—a “guide book” or “idea book” for policy makers and program managers.


Results: Results Selected and profiled 24 programs (including a few that had been included in earlier “exemplary program reviews” by ACEEE—projects that weren’t only low-income programs). A criterion for inclusion was that programs are either funded through utility rates or through “public benefits charges”---might be co-funded from other sources, such as federal or other state programs.


Program Categories: Program Categories Three major categories: Comprehensive low-income energy efficiency programs (principally single family) Municipal and cooperative utility low-income energy efficiency programs Multi-family low-income housing programs


“Niche” Program Categories: “Niche” Program Categories Integrated portfolios of low-income program services Programs serving mobile homes Refrigerator replacement programs Programs using “standard offer” approaches Programs using “expanded eligibility with co-pay” approaches (serve households in tier above cut-off for “low-income” eligibility) Residential low-income single-family new construction programs


…and the selected programs are..: …and the selected programs are.. For the full story and complete information: Meeting Essential Needs: The Results of a National Search for Exemplary Utility-Funded Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs. M. Kushler, D. York and P. Witte. ACEEE report number U053 Available for free at http://aceee.org But here’s the roster for later reference, too….


Common Traits and Trends: Common Traits and Trends Partnerships and multi-party collaboratives are common—including regional and state-wide common program platforms. Community action agencies provide direct customer services for many programs. Single or “primary” providers of services are common—single “portal” to menu of services—emphasize customer friendliness and ease of participation.


Common Traits and Trends: Common Traits and Trends Programs employ sophisticated diagnostic and analytical tools. Whole-house approaches are common. Customer education is often an integral part of service package provided.


Common Traits and Trends: Common Traits and Trends All types of energy use are targeted—electricity, natural gas, heating oil, LP and even renewable energy (in a few cases). Program evaluation is an integral and on-going element of programs. Programs use innovative services and approaches for “hard to reach” customers—and provide services to customers outside the boundaries and definitions of “low-income.”


Common Traits and Trends: Common Traits and Trends Programs address the full spectrum of housing types—single family, multi-family and mobile homes. Programs include a full menu of household energy efficiency improvements in set of options considered. Program cost-effectiveness is a lesser issue, but still important objective. Programs are achieving significant success.


Conclusions: Conclusions Low-income energy efficiency programs work—we now have over 2 decades of successful experience. Such programs yield numerous energy and non-energy benefits. No single “exemplary” model—successful programs can be found under variety of structures and service providers.


Questions? Follow-up?: Questions? Follow-up? Dan York, ACEEE 608-243-1123 dyork@aceee.org Thank you!