RESOURCE LIBRARY

PROJECTS  |  REPORTS  |  PRESENTATIONS

REPORTS:

Usage Reduction

Bill Payment Assistance

Energy Surveys & Policy Analysis

Residential Market

Commercial & Industrial Market

Non-Energy Impact & Evaluation

APPRISE Selected Reports

Energy Survey Research and Policy Analysis

The 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) is a national survey that collected energy-related data for occupied housing units and households. The Office of Community Services (OCS) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funded a special set of questions for low-income households responding to the 2005 RECS. Those questions collected information on residential and home energy-related problems faced by low-income households and measured the extent to which households reported that participation in LIHEAP helped to ameliorate those problems. APPRISE conducted an exploratory analysis of the 2005 RECS data for OCS to develop a better understanding of the performance of the survey questions and to develop new information on the Energy Insecurity of low-income households, including:

  • Levels and Types of Energy Insecurity – Estimation of the rate at which low-income households face various types of energy problems and examination of survey respondent reports on the extent to which energy assistance restores home heating and cooling for households experiencing service interruptions.
  • Factors Related to Energy Insecurity – An analysis of the factors associated with energy problems including poverty level, energy burden, geographic region and other demographic and housing factors.

Performance of the Home Energy Insecurity Scale – An assessment of the performance of the Home Energy Insecurity Scale in measuring the impacts of energy costs on low-income households compared to other Energy Insecurity measures used in the past. Download Here.

APPRISE reviewed DOEE’s LIHEAP design and made recommendations for program modifications in 2018. This study assessed DOEE’s LIHEAP procedures, analyzed the population of households eligible for energy assistance, and calculated the impacts of the assistance on participants’ energy burden. The study furnished DOEE with information needed to modify its program benefits design matrix in a way that meets the statutory guidance furnished to DOEE by the federal LIHEAP program.

As a result of the 2018 study, DOEE modified its LIHEAP program benefits design matrix. In 2020, APPRISE worked with DOEE to calculate the impact of those changes on participants’ energy burden, update analyses of households eligible for energy assistance, and assess how best to integrate DOEE’s Solar for All program with the LIHEAP program. Download Here.

This report examines the energy needs of low-income households in the state of Arizona, the city of Phoenix, and two neighborhoods surrounding Phoenix. Staff conducted the research in this report in 2005 and presented it at the 19th Annual National Low Income Energy Conference. In presenting our findings, we describe how the public-use data sets used in this analysis can help inform the decision making of program managers and key stakeholders. Sources used in this research include the Census Public Use Microdata (PUMS) Five Percent Sample, the Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), and the American Housing Survey (AHS). Download Here.

This report presents the results from a survey on the impact of increased home energy and gasoline costs. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the sacrifices and tradeoffs that low, moderate, and middle income households have made in response to rising fuel costs. The study showed that increased home energy and gasoline costs have impacted households at all income levels. Low-income households, as expected, have sacrificed the most as a result of these price increases. Low- to middle-income households are likely to have gone without food and medicine and to have compromised their energy usage. Low- to moderate-income households are likely to have missed energy bill payments and even have their service terminated. They are also likely to have gotten behind on credit card bills, mortgage or rent, and car payments. All income groups however, have reduced discretionary spending, driving, and heating and cooling usage. All income groups have also made investments in more energy efficient heating, cooling, and appliances to bring down their costs. Download Here.

Residential solar programs that are not specifically targeted to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households are unlikely to effectively serve this important population. Policymakers and program managers need research to understand the extent of the disparity between program participants and the eligible LMI population. This type of research was conducted for the NY-Sun residential rooftop solar program. The research first used public and commercial data to project income levels for rooftop solar program participants based on their geographic location. Next, the research team conducted a survey with more than 900 solar program participants and compared the income projections to reported income data. The research found that the NY-Sun residential rooftop solar program had limited market penetration among the eligible LMI population. The research also found that the geographic-based projections did not provide a reliable estimate of income levels for program participants, which limits the ability of using geographic-based estimates to identify or qualify potential participants for income-based incentives. The findings from this research were used to assess how to target solar opportunities and benefits to LMI households and disadvantaged communities that have been historically underserved by past solar programs. In this paper, we review the results of the research, assess strengths and limitations, and identify how this framework can be useful for other solar programs aiming to increase LMI participation. This paper was presented at the 2022 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Download Here.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is one of seven block grants originally authorized by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. In 1994, the purpose of the LIHEAP statute was amended to clarify that the program is “to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest income, that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.”

Furthermore, Congressional Committees indicated in 1994 that LIHEAP grantees needed to reassess their LIHEAP benefit structures to ensure that they are targeting those low income households that have the highest energy costs or needs. The purpose of this evaluation study was to assess to what extent the LIHEAP program is serving the lowest income households that have the highest energy burdens. The study uses data from the 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to examine the distribution of income and energy burden for low income households and identify those that have the lowest incomes and highest energy burdens (i.e., high burden households). The study uses the 2001 RECS LIHEAP Supplement to measure the effectiveness of the FY 2001 LIHEAP program in serving high burden households. The study quantifies program effectiveness using targeting performance measures. The study also identifies procedures for updating energy burden targeting performance statistics in the future.

APPRISE prepared this report for the Office of Community Services’ Division of Energy Assistance under contract. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are solely those of analysts from APPRISE and do not necessarily reflect the views of HHS. This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, citation of the source is appreciated. The citation should be: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance, Washington, D.C., 2005. Download Here.

APPRISE provides program support to the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is a federally funded program to help eligible low-income households meet their home heating and cooling needs. The LIHEAP Home Energy Notebook focuses on the home energy mission of LIHEAP by providing LIHEAP grantees with the latest national and regional data on home energy consumption, expenditures, and burden; low income home energy trends; and the LIHEAP program performance measurement system.

APPRISE prepared these reports for the Office of Community Services’ Division of Energy Assistance under contract. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are solely those of analysts from APPRISE and do not necessarily reflect the views of HHS. These reports are in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce them in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint these publications is not necessary, citation of the source is appreciated. The citation should be: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance, Washington, D.C. Download Here: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Statute requires that assistance is targeted to households that have the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income. However, despite outreach and targeting efforts undertaken by ACF, the measured program targeting rates for vulnerable households have declined over the last three years. The purpose of this two-phase study was to develop information that can help State LIHEAP programs more effectively target eligible vulnerable households. The first phase reviewed the experience of other Federal social welfare programs in targeting vulnerable households to assess whether they have identified strategies that are effective in reaching elderly households and/or young child households. The second phase examined the design of the LIHEAP programs in 17 States to assess whether certain program design features were associated with higher targeting rates for vulnerable households. Download Here.

This study examined and compared alternative procedures for estimating the recipiency targeting performance measurement indicators used by the LIHEAP program to measure program performance. This report includes recommendations for how the LIHEAP program should develop recipiency targeting performance measurement statistics in the future.

APPRISE prepared this report for the Office of Community Services’ Division of Energy Assistance under contract. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are solely those of analysts from APPRISE and do not necessarily reflect the views of HHS. This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, citation of the source is appreciated. The citation should be: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance, Washington, D.C., 2004. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted research for the Office of People’s Counsel to assess the characteristics of the low-income population in Maryland, estimate the need for energy assistance and energy efficiency programs, and provide recommendations for future program design and targeting. The study analyzed publicly available survey data and MD program-level data to understand trends in the population and the programs that serve them. The research increased understanding of the population and informed policy discussions on Maryland low-income energy programs. Download Here.

Policymakers throughout the country have identified the need for low-income energy assistance and have made significant commitments to low-income energy programs. In 2005, there was more than $2.4 billion in funding for the Federal LIHEAP and WAP programs and more than $2.3 billion in funding for state and local low-income energy programs. However, for the same year, the aggregate residential energy bill for low-income households was estimated to be about $32 billion. Policymakers who were considering the implementation of and/or expansion of low-income energy programs needed information that helped them to assess the needs of households in their jurisdictions.

The purpose of this study was to furnish comprehensive information on low-income energy programs, including analysis of the energy needs of low-income households, the legal and regulatory framework supporting these programs, the design options for these programs, and the evaluation findings on program effectiveness. In this study, we developed national and state-level statistics on the energy needs of low-income households. The national statistics demonstrate the magnitude of the problem facing low-income households and the organizations that serve them. The state-level data, on the other hand, are more relevant to the policymakers who are attempting to address the energy needs of low-income households in their jurisdictions.

The Study focuses on ratepayer-funded low-income energy programs in thirteen states (California, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin). Based on data available from the LIHEAP Clearinghouse, ratepayer-funded programs represent about 85% of all State and local funding for low-income energy programs. The programs operated in the States included in the Study include over three-fourths of all ratepayer funding for low-income energy programs.

Download Here:
Project Description, Executive Summary, Final Report
State Appendices – CA, CO, IN, MD, ME, MO, NV, NJ, OH, OR, PA, WA, WI.

The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA), representing the state LIHEAP directors, contracted with APPRISE to conduct national surveys of LIHEAP recipients in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2018. The most recent survey of 2018 LIHEAP recipients updated information about LIHEAP-recipient households that was collected in the previous surveys. These surveys documented changes in the affordability of energy bills, the need for LIHEAP, and the choices that low-income households make when faced with unaffordable energy bills. The 2018 Survey interviewed recipients in eight states. Stratified samples of fiscal year 2018 LIHEAP recipients were selected from each of the eight state LIHEAP databases. The study characterized the LIHEAP population for 2018 and documented the challenges that these households face in addition to their energy bills. Download Here: 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018.

The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA), representing the state LIHEAP directors, contracted with APPRISE to conduct a follow-up to the national survey of LIHEAP recipients that was conducted in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2011. As part of the national study, APPRISE oversampled Connecticut and created this report to present findings from a survey of FY 2011 LIHEAP recipients in Connecticut and compares their characteristics and problems affording energy bills to LIHEAP recipients in the Northeast, and to a nationally representative sample of LIHEAP recipients across the United States. Download Here: 2009, 2011.

The New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJ CEP) promotes energy efficiency and the use of clean, renewable sources of energy. The Residential Construction Program, known as the New Jersey ENERGY STAR Homes Program, furnishes technical assistance and financial incentives to builders who commit to construct new homes to the standards established by the ENERGY STAR Homes Program. The purpose of this report is to present the findings from the ENERGY STAR Homes Program Impact Evaluation. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly-available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly-available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments. The purpose of this Special Topic Report is to furnish detailed information on the financial capacity of low- to moderate-income (LMI) households including shelter burden, banking resources, and home equity. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly-available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments. The purpose of this Special Topic Report is to furnish detailed information on energy burden for New York State’s low- to moderate-income (LMI) households, including summary statistics, energy burden factor analysis, subgroup analyses, and policy implications. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly-available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments. The purposes of this Special Topic Report are to furnish information on the different types of income guidelines that Federal and State governments use to determine whether a household is income eligible for assistance programs, document the NYSERDA definition for LMI households, and to explain why different income status variables are used in the various study reports. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly-available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments. One purpose of the LMI Market Characterization Study is to develop information on the composition and size of each market segment so that investment strategies can be better aligned with the needs of the LMI market. This section of the report furnishes a recommended market segmentation strategy and furnishes detailed profiles of each market segment. Download Here.

APPRISE and MaGrann conducted a study of residential thermostat settings and temperature preferences based upon a survey of 239 households in the Northeast about thermostat settings, setbacks, and type of thermostat in the home. The study documented thermostat setpoints and setbacks; the penetration of programmable thermostats and smart thermostats; and use of smart thermostat features.

Based on the research, the study recommended that the greatest setback opportunities for non-elderly households were nighttime in the winter and daytime in the summer. Different protocols are needed for elderly households.

  • For households without an elderly member, consider a default winter setting of 69 during the day with a setback of three degrees to 66 at night; and 72 degrees at night in the summer with a setup of 2 degrees to 74 during the day.
  • For households with an elderly member, consider a default winter setting of 70 degrees in the winter and 74 degrees in the summer, but without any predetermined setbacks.

We recommend always providing the opportunity for a resident interview in combination with the installation of a new thermostat so that default settings can be modified accordingly. Similarly, providing the opportunity for “live” training empowers residents to modify default settings with an understanding of the energy and comfort implications.

Smart thermostats represent a good opportunity for energy savings based on a number of factors evident from this survey.

  • Low existing penetration rate.
  • Many households still do not practice thermostat setbacks.
  • Of the households practicing setbacks, most are doing so manually.

Download Here.

APPRISE conducted a statewide survey of LIHEAP recipient households in Washington to document the challenges that these households face in meeting their energy needs. The Washington State Energy Assistance Survey documented the need for LIHEAP and the choices that low-income households make when faced with unaffordable energy bills. Research showed that LIHEAP plays a significant role in alleviating some of the problems caused by high energy bills. The survey documented the percentage of these households that go without food or medical care, keep their home at unsafe or unhealthy temperatures, and use dangerous heating methods. The survey report documents the survey background, methodology, and findings. Download Here.

The Washington Office of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) has been interested in developing information on LIHEAP-eligible households in Washington and the challenges that they face in meeting their energy needs to help them improve their LIHEAP program and create support for additional energy assistance in Washington State. This report examines the need and availability of energy assistance in Washington, the variability in household demographics and energy assistance needs across the many utility service territories in Washington, the low-income energy programs that are offered by Washington electric and gas utilities, and the variation in energy prices across the state. Recommendations are made for the types of energy programs that might best meet the need of low-income households in the state. Download Here.