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Quality Control Inspection Protocols
April 29, 2013
Having sound quality control (QC) mechanisms in place is critical for utilities that want to engender customers’ trust in their efficiency programs. In this report, we provide a snapshot of 10 utilities’ QC inspection protocols for residential retrofit programs.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-55 | Author: Kate Drexler
Residential Retrofit Programs: Providing Contractors with Performance Feedback
February 21, 2013
Most utilities and program implementers rely on a network of local contractors to implement their residential retrofit or home performance programs. But how do such programs create an effective feedback loop to ensure that their contractors are doing the best job possible?
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-46 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Fundamental Considerations for Setting Rebate Levels
An E Source Sound Bite
February 15, 2013
Crafting the appropriate incentive for a measure requires program administrators to track (and estimate the influence of) a multitude of variables. In this audio clip, we examine a few fundamental considerations for setting rebate levels.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-48 | Author: Melanie Wemple
Improving Building Code Compliance Rates
An E Source Sound Bite
February 8, 2013
In this audio clip, we share information about code compliance rates and what some utilities are doing to improve building code compliance.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-49 | Author: Kate Drexler
Incorporating Stakeholder Input into DSM Activities
January 22, 2013
This report presents some best practices for gathering public input for utility demand-side management programs, based primarily on case studies from Avista Utilities and Xcel Energy Colorado.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-45 | Author: Rachel Reiss Buckley
DSM Analytics Find a Place in Today's Utility
An E Source Sound Bite
November 28, 2012
This three-minute audio clip describes what is driving the boom in demand-side management analytics, the functions typically covered within analytics, and which departments perform these tasks at various utilities.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-39 | Author: Rachel Buckley
How to Determine Whether a Measure Should Be Prescriptive or Custom
An E Source Sound Bite
November 12, 2012
Not sure whether a new measure should be a part of a custom or prescriptive program? Fear not! In this three-minute audio clip, we’ll share some best practices and criteria to consider when making the decision to go prescriptive or custom.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-37 | Author: Andrea Salazar
Getting Gas (Savings) from Small Businesses
October 31, 2012
Some demand-side management programs are finding ways to tap into gas savings from hard-to-reach small business customers by designing programs that are specifically tailored to them. This report examines the experiences of seven utilities.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-36 | Author: Kate Drexler
DSM Budget Breakdown
Benchmarking DSM Budgets
June 20, 2012
This report examines how demand-side management (DSM) budgets are allocated to the major budget categories—administrative; marketing; incentives; and evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V)—as well as to customer sectors such as residential, low income, and comercial and industrial ...
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-34 | Author: Kate Drexler
Net Versus Gross Savings: Who's Doing What and Why?
April 17, 2012
Discover which states are using net versus gross savings and learn the rationale for the use of gross savings (that is, not accounting for free-ridership or spillover when reporting on program results). Recent examples illustrate trend away from using net savings for some reporting purposes.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-25 | Author: Dulcey Simpkins
Do They Qualify? Trade Ally Screening Practices
April 16, 2012
Trade allies frequently help deliver efficiency programs. See how efficiency program administrators make sure trade allies are qualified to participate.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-24 | Author: Todd Camnitz and Kim Burke
Making Low-Income Programs Cost-Effective
March 29, 2012
This report pinpoints some common factors that drive the cost-effectiveness of low-income programs and offers solutions to make them more cost-effective.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-33 | Author: Kate Drexler
Cracking the Code: Approaches to Claiming Savings from Building Codes
February 22, 2012
Rather than continue to let swelling baselines eat into their savings, some utilities are making code advancements compatible, rather than incongruent, with their demand-side management programs by establishing mechanisms to capture the incremental savings from homes and buildings built to new, more-efficient ...
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-20 | Author: Kate Drexler
Joint Programs Between Electric and Gas Utilities
The Path to Comprehensive and Sustainable Energy Savings
December 22, 2011
By cooperatively leveraging program resources, institutional experience, and respective customer bases, joint programs between electric and gas utilities can reduce delivery costs while maximizing opportunities for customer savings from a comprehensive fuel-blind approach.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-19 | Author: Jonathan Nelson
Structuring Implementation RFPs
A Guide to Maximizing Value from Contractors
December 12, 2011
As utilities ramp up efficiency programs, they often rely heavily on implementation contractors. However, many new contractors lack adequate experience and often require utility training. By strategically structuring the request for proposals, utilities can maximize value from contractors.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-18 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
The Tao of Setting Rebate Levels
November 14, 2011
Setting rebates for energy-efficiency measures at the optimal level is as much an art as it is a science. This report outlines a set of recommended steps to help utilities determine what the right rebate level is for their measures, given their unique goals and circumstances.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-17 | Author: Kate Drexler
Selling Out Isn't a Good Thing: Avoiding Rebate Oversubscription
September 12, 2011
Learn from the experiences of utility and state energy office rebate programs to identify common problems with rebate oversubscription, best practices to mitigate rebate volatility, and recommendations for what to do when a program becomes unstable.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-16 | Author: Kate Drexler
DSM Program Management Models
How to Choose the Right Approach
May 16, 2011
Many utilities use outside vendors to help design, implement, or market demand-side management programs. This report looks at the pros and cons of three program management models—in-house, outsourcing, or a hybrid—and outlines several factors to consider when choosing an approach.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-14 | Author: Kim Burke
What Does EISA Mean for Residential Lighting Programs?
January 13, 2011
CFLs are a vital component of utility energy-efficiency programs, contributing 25 to 50 percent of total efficiency program portfolio savings in 2010. Yet the future of utility CFL programs in the U.S. is uncertain due to the EISA provisions for phasing in more efficient lighting.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-8 | Author: Alexandra Behringer
Utilities Benefit from Municipal Energy-Efficiency Building Incentives and Codes
January 12, 2011
Utilities can assist municipalities that are developing beyond-code programs. This collaboration allows the utility to align its demand-side management targets with municipal energy-efficiency initiatives.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-9 | Author: Melanie Wemple
2008 U.S. Electric DSM Spending
August 19, 2010
Which U.S. electric utilities spend the most on demand-side management? We take our annual look at data from the Energy Information Administration, a unit of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Content type: Research Brief | Document ID: EDRP-RB-5 | Author: Michael Reid
