Program Design

VEIC Resources on Program Design

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• Keys to Optimizing Residential HVAC Efficiency Programs

  Rebecca Foster

  This study was intended to: 1) describe the state of the residential HVAC energy efficiency programs, 2) explain HVAC market trends and dynamics related to efficiency, and 3) quantify the opportunity to address the challenges efficiency programs face by working in partnership with HVAC distributors. The findings of this study establish that leading distributors are already playing valuable roles that can improve the outcomes of residential HVAC energy efficiency programs. This report describes those roles in detail and provides examples for other distributors and efficiency programs to follow. The research also identified a series of specific recommendations for efficiency programs and distributors.

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• Fast Capacity Reduction Through Geographically Targeted, Aggressive Efficiency Investment - Early Results from a Vermont Experiment

  Jim Massie, Nancy Wasserman, Blair Hamilton

  In an effort to avoid or defer major capital investment in upgrading transmission and distribution system infrastructure, the Vermont Public Service Board directed Efficiency Vermont to focus a major part of its effort on geographically targeted areas identified by the state's electric utilities as high-priority areas for capital upgrades.  The aggressive and unprecedented goal was set to reduce demand in the targeted areas by 7 MW through efficiency measures within 18 months.  This paper looks at the market analysis and segmentation, strategies, lessons learned, and early results of demand reduction through geographically targeted efficiency investment.

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• Recommendations for Community-Based Energy Program Studies (with Appendices)

  Developed for the Energy Trust of Oregon by a collaborative project team of David Hewitt, Jeff Pratt, and Gary Smith; Efficiency Vermont; the Center for Neighborhood Technology; and the Conservation Services Group.

  Read and Download (pdf 1.30 MB)

• International Comparison of 11 OECD Countries

  Blair Hamilton, Chris Neme, Frances Huessy, Brenda Hausauer, Ben d'Antonio, Eoin Lees, et al.

  This study was prepared for the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change as a high-level comparison of 11 countries' residential energy efficiency programs.  Because existing homes are recognized to be a major contributor of greenhouse emissions, the comparison looks at the effects of national policies, and the lessons learned from each.

  Download and Read (pdf 1.28 MB)

• Taking the Efficiency Utility Model to the Next Level

  Blair Hamilton

  This paper examines how structural changes to the energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont, can be leveraged to improve on the successes of the current model.  At the next level, longer contractual periods could improve planning, regulatory participation, financial planning, and revenue programs such as participation in a regional power systems organization such as the Forward Capacity Market.

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• Those are Incentives, Not Rebates: Using DSM Funds to Leverage Investments in Low-Income Multifamily Housing

  Elizabeth Chant, M. Sherman, J. Chiodo

  Improving energy efficiency in low-income multifamily housing has presented special challenges because landlords are reluctant to invest in efficiency.  A landmark comprehensive incentive program combined DSM resources from partner utilities with recources from the low-income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to help overcome come of the barriers to investments in energy efficiency.

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• What Does It Take to Turn Load Growth Negative? A View from the Leading Edge

  Scudder Parker, Michael Wickenden, Blair Hamilton

  Energy efficiency, once seen as a possible mechanism to reduce load growth, is now being recognized for its potential ability to turn load growth negative.  Current levels of energy savings in Vermont can be attributed to the expertise, commitment, organization, institutional culture, and leadership of Efficiency Vermont's contract holder, VEIC.  Vermont can achieve negative load by building from its current success, while enhancing its current structure and approaches.

   Download and Read (pdf 145 KB)