Who We Are
APPRISE is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to collecting and analyzing data and information to assess and improve public programs. Our current research includes work for federal and state government agencies, utility companies, and nonprofit organizations.
We conduct a wide variety of research activities to provide program administrators and stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of program design, operations, and impact. This research leads to informed recommendations for program improvement.
Our staff of economists, survey statisticians, and public policy researchers specialize in data analytics, impact analysis, process assessment, survey research, performance measurement, and technical assistance.
What We Do
APPRISE research focuses on programs that provide bill payment assistance, energy education, energy efficiency services, and renewables to low-income households; and programs that provide incentives for undertaking energy efficiency projects to residential, commercial, and industrial utility customers. These programs have several goals.
- Improve energy affordability and reduce problems associated with high energy bills.
- Increase knowledge of energy-saving behaviors, improve energy practices, reduce energy usage, and improve customer health and safety.
- Reduce energy usage and transform the market for energy efficient products.
Our Services
We have extensive experience with the following research activities.
Upcoming Conferences
APPRISE NEWS
Featured Projects
California Percentage of Income Payment Plan Pilot Evaluation
The California Investor-Owned Utilities have introduced a Percentage of Income Payment Plan Pilot aimed to reduce the number of low-income households at risk of disconnection. The Pilot will limit energy bills to approximately four percent of a household’s income. APPRISE is conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess the impact of the Pilot on payment behavior, disconnections, energy usage, and access to essential services.
LIHEAP Research
We provide 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. One of many tasks is supporting measurement of program outcomes and impacts.
NJ Comfort Partners Program Evaluation
The NJ Comfort Partners Program provides no-cost energy efficiency services to low-income utility customers throughout the state. APPRISE has been evaluating this program since its inception. Our comprehensive evaluations have included in-depth interviews with program managers, contractors, and quality control inspectors and assessment of protocols used to estimate program savings.
PEPCO Arrearage Management Pilot Program Evaluation
APPRISE conducted an evaluation of Pepco’s Arrearage Management Pilot Program. This program provides arrearage forgiveness to low-income residential customers with arrearages of $300 or more. The evaluation research assessed program implementation, the characteristics of customers who enrolled in the program, and the impact of the program on arrearages, bill payment, and collections actions and collections costs.
CA NBE Study
APPRISE conducted a study on the non-energy benefits (NEBs) of the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program. The ESA Program provides no-cost weatherization and energy efficiency measures to achieve energy savings and improved health, comfort and safety for low-income households served by the IOUs in CA. This study reviewed the NEBs proposed in a previous study and developed a streamlined model for estimating the value of the NEBs.
NYSERDA Multifamily Low Carbon Pathways Survey
NYSERDA’s Low Carbon Pathways Program provides incentives for multifamily buildings to install electric heat pumps, balanced ventilation measures, building envelope improvements, and energy efficient domestic hot water systems. APPRISE is designing and conducting a quantitative survey that will provide NYSERDA and participating buildings with information about resident perceptions and satisfaction, non-energy impacts resulting from building upgrades, and variations in resident experience.
Our Team
