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Non-Energy Impact & Evaluation

APPRISE Selected Reports

Residential Market Transformation Research and Evaluation

The Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency through research, education and advocacy. The organization encourages business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders to use energy efficiency to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security. The Alliance established the PowerSave Schools Program in Los Angeles County in 1999. The Program’s goals are to educate students about energy efficiency and to save energy in schools. The Alliance is interested in exploring potential short- and long-term impacts in the homes of participating students who adopt energy-saving behaviors, as well as the secondary effects on their peers and family members. This report documents the findings from a set of surveys with students who participated in the program. Download Here.

Vermont has a number of energy programs that make important contributions to reductions in electricity usage in all sectors and reductions of fossil fuel usage among low-income households. However, Vermont is missing important opportunities for energy savings because there is a program gap with respect to fossil fuel usage by households that are not low income and fossil fuel usage in the commercial and industrial end use sectors. This 2006 memo presents the status of energy usage in Vermont, describes existing programs, and discusses opportunities for future programs. Download Here.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct an evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. The ILSFA Program aims to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in Illinois. The objectives of the program are to maximize the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout the State, integrate with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and minimize administrative costs.

The Phase I Evaluation report presents results from the first phase of the evaluation, which was conducted from August through September 2019. Future evaluation research will include more detailed review of program implementation, barriers, accomplishments, and results as the program implementation progresses. Download Here.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct an evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. The ILSFA Program aims to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in Illinois. The objectives of the program are to maximize the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout the State, integrate with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and minimize administrative costs.

The First Interim Report presents the findings from the first portion of the Phase II Evaluation, which was conducted from October 2019 through January 2020 and included a review of program implementation, barriers, accomplishments, and results. Download Here.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct an evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. The ILSFA Program aims to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in Illinois. The objectives of the program are to maximize the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout the State, integrate with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and minimize administrative costs.

The Second Interim Report presents the findings from the second portion of the Phase II Evaluation, which was conducted from January 2020 through May 2020 and included a review of program implementation, barriers, accomplishments, and results. Download Here.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct an evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. The ILSFA Program aims to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in Illinois. The objectives of the program are to maximize the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout the State, integrate with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and minimize administrative costs.

The Third Interim Report presents the findings from the third portion of the Phase II Evaluation, which was conducted from June 2020 through December 2020 and included a review of program implementation, barriers, accomplishments, and results. Download Here.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct an evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. The ILSFA Program aims to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in Illinois. The objectives of the program are to maximize the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout the State, integrate with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and minimize administrative costs.

The Phase II Final Evaluation Report is the fifth and final report from the first Illinois Solar for All Program evaluation. The research conducted from August 2019 through June 2021 provided a comprehensive assessment of the program design, implementation, and impacts by interviewing IPA, Elevate, Approved Vendors, utilities, stakeholders, Grassroots Educators, Grassroots Education participants, job trainees, other state solar program managers, and green bank representatives; and by analyzing program data and other available data. The research found that the program has successfully approved numerous solar vendors, constructed solar projects, employed job trainees, and will provide benefits to low-income households and organizations in Environmental Justice and low-income communities around the state. Download Here.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct an evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. The ILSFA Program aims to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in Illinois. The objectives of the program are to maximize the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout the State, integrate with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and minimize administrative costs.

This Summary Report provides the following information.

  • ILSFA Program: This report presents an overview of the key components of ILSFA. While the ILSFA Program has evolved during the first two years of implementation, the key design characteristics of the program remain the same as in the original conception of the program.
  • Evaluation: Five lengthy evaluation reports have been published. These reports provide detailed information on the program design and implementation, participating vendors, project submissions and approvals, feedback from many program actors, program impacts, assessments of the program administrator, and recommendations for program refinement. This Summary Report provides a brief description of the evaluation activities that were undertaken during the evaluation period.
  • Metrics: Key metrics required by FEJA and additional metrics developed with stakeholder input are provided in this report.
  • Recommendations: The recommendations developed through the research that are still applicable at the current time are summarized in this report. Additional justification for these recommendations is provided in the previous detailed evaluation reports.

Download Here.

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) introduced a suite of energy efficiency programs in 2011 to address the energy usage of residential, commercial, and industrial customers, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their Residential Heating Equipment Replacement Program (RHER), launched in April 2011, provides prescriptive rebates to PGW customers who purchase residential-sized natural gas heating equipment to encourage the purchase of the most efficient furnaces and boilers available. APPRISE is conducting an impact evaluation and a market study for the program. The goals of the program evaluation are to provide information on the market for high efficiency furnaces and boilers in Philadelphia, and to provide information on the energy usage of the high efficient systems compared to the ones that were previously in place. The following paper was prepared as part of a presentation for the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) Annual Conference in January of 2014. Download Here.

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. APPRISE conducted an impact evaluation of the New Jersey ENERGY STAR Homes Program as a subcontractor to KEMA. The evaluation found that ENERGY STAR Homes achieved the gas energy savings that were projected by the REM/RateTM model and achieved about three fourths of the air conditioning electric savings that were projected by the REM/RateTM model.

However, the net program impacts for the 2005 and 2006 ENERGY STAR Homes were considerably smaller than the gross program impacts. While ENERGY STAR Homes used considerably less gas and electricity than the REM/RateTM Reference Homes, the differences between ENERGY STAR Homes and Comparison Homes that are built without ENERGY STAR incentives were considerably smaller than the differences projected by the REM/RateTM model. Download Here.

New Jersey Natural Gas operates energy efficiency programs that are complementary to the New Jersey Clean Energy Programs (NJCEP) as the SAVEGREEN project. The residential program provides grants or on-bill repayment plans to assist with the purchase and installation of furnaces/boilers and water heaters. The commercial program provides NJCEP Direct Install participants with a no-interest on-bill repayment plan for the value of the project not covered by the NJCEP incentive. APPRISE conducted an evaluation of the SAVEGREEN project to assess program management, analyze the incremental impact on energy efficiency activity, determine the extent to which the program influences residential customer implementation of whole house improvements, and measure the program’s energy savings. Download Here.

APPRISE conducted RDD telephone surveys in NY State, New York City, Ohio, Washington DC, and Houston in 2009 to assess the saturation of CFLs. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey. Download Here.

The goal of NYSERDA’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program is to implement and promote an enhanced version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program in New York State. The program provides technical assistance and targeted financial incentives to residential builders and income eligible homeowners to encourage the adoption of energy efficient design features and the selection and installation of energy efficient equipment. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the Energy Star Homes Program (ESH) in 2008. APPRISE surveyed home builders to assess their views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with formerly participating builders. Download Here.

The goal of NYSERDA’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program is to implement and promote an enhanced version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program in New York State. The program provides technical assistance and targeted financial incentives to residential builders and income eligible homeowners to encourage the adoption of energy efficient design features and the selection and installation of energy efficient equipment. APPRISE gathered information from homeowners who purchased a non-Energy Star Home to examine their views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with nonparticipating homeowners. Download Here.

The goal of NYSERDA’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program is to implement and promote an enhanced version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program in New York State. The program provides technical assistance and targeted financial incentives to residential builders and income eligible homeowners to encourage the adoption of energy efficient design features and the selection and installation of energy efficient equipment. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the Energy Star Homes Program (ESH) in 2008. APPRISE surveyed home builders to assess their views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with nonparticipating builders. Download Here.

The goal of NYSERDA’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program is to implement and promote an enhanced version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program in New York State. The program provides technical assistance and targeted financial incentives to residential builders and income eligible homeowners to encourage the adoption of energy efficient design features and the selection and installation of energy efficient equipment. APPRISE gathered information from homeowners who purchased an Energy Star Home to examine their views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with participating homeowners. Download Here.

The goal of NYSERDA’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program is to implement and promote an enhanced version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program in New York State. The program provides technical assistance and targeted financial incentives to residential builders and income eligible homeowners to encourage the adoption of energy efficient design features and the selection and installation of energy efficient equipment. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the Energy Star Homes Program (ESH) in 2008. APPRISE surveyed participating home builders to assess their views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with participating builders. Download Here.

NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) Program provides low-cost training to contractors and financial incentives to homeowners to help improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock in New York. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the program in 2008. APPRISE surveyed contractors to examine contractor views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with formerly participating contractors. Download Here.

NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) Program provides low-cost training to contractors and financial incentives to homeowners to help improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock in New York. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the program in 2008. APPRISE surveyed contractors to examine contractor views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with nonparticipating contractors. Download Here.

NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) Program provides low-cost training to contractors and financial incentives to homeowners to help improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock in New York. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the program in 2008. APPRISE’s research gathered information from homeowners who received a Comprehensive Home Assessment from a participating BPI certified technician to examine homeowner views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with partially participating homeowners. Download Here.

NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) Program provides low-cost training to contractors and financial incentives to homeowners to help improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock in New York. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the program in 2008. APPRISE’s research gathered information from homeowners who received a Comprehensive Home Assessment from a participating BPI certified technician to examine homeowner views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with participating homeowners. Download Here. 

NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) Program provides low-cost training to contractors and financial incentives to homeowners to help improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock in New York. APPRISE conducted survey research to support NYSERDA’s market characterization research for the program in 2008. APPRISE surveyed participating contractors to examine contractor views, experiences, and perceptions on a variety of topics related to program participation. This methodology report describes the procedures used to conduct the telephone survey with participating contractors. Download Here.

APPRISE partnered with two natural gas utilities in the northeast to study current thermostat technology, setback behavior, and opportunities for smart thermostats. A survey was conducted with a random sample of 385 residential customers to develop a better understanding of which households may benefit from smart thermostats and assess the opportunities for energy savings. The survey found that there is a great opportunity for smart thermostats, as only four percent of respondents had a Wi-Fi connected thermostat, but 74 percent had the technology needed for a smart thermostat. Lower income households may present the greatest opportunity for savings with smart thermostat technology. Over half of these customers had the needed technology, but they were less likely to have programmable thermostats. Households show opportunities for benefitting from smart thermostats that adjust to their usage preferences, as about half of the respondents reported frequent manual adjustment of programmable thermostats. Many reported that they would make extensive use of smart thermostat features if they were available. Programs and incentives could potentially have a large impact on the adoption of smart thermostats. Download Here.

South Jersey Gas has been operating energy efficiency programs in coordination with the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) since 2009. The programs provide additional rebates and financing to customers who participate in the NJCEP residential and commercial and industrial programs. APPRISE conducted an evaluation of these programs to assess program design, implementation, and impacts. The research included interviews with program administrators, contractors, and participants; surveys with participants of three different programs; analysis of the impacts of the programs on natural gas usage; and assessment of the non-energy impacts of the programs. This report provides a summary of findings and recommendations from this research. Download Here.