RESOURCE LIBRARY
APPRISE Selected Reports
Non-Energy Impact Research and Evaluation
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. Download Here.
The Colorado REACh grant funded the Evaporative Cooling Demonstration Project, which aims to reduce the vulnerability of the elderly and disabled to heat related illness by installing evaporative cooling equipment. This report includes the evaluation plan for this program, the comprehensive Process evaluation report and the Impact Evaluation report. Download Here.
APPRISE conducted research for the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board to explore existing NEI values nationally, regionally, and for CT; gaps in existing CT NEI data; and survey research and data analysis that can address NEI measurement. The research included implementation of a program participant survey for one priority program or measure. The study explored and assessed the current state of the art for measuring NEIs both nationally and regionally, where and how NEIs are used in calculating the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs, how the inclusion of NEIs has impacted energy efficiency programs across the U.S., the best available estimates of the NEIs for CT programs and measures, and how NEIs could be measured and incorporated in future CT evaluations. Download Here.
Non-Energy Impacts (NEIs) are an increasingly important area of research, as states and utilities across the country begin to incorporate NEIs into cost-effectiveness testing to justify increased funding for the energy efficiency programs. Recent literature reviews have found that more primary research is needed to assess and monetize these impacts. We conducted an evaluation of the participant NEIs associated with a Northeastern natural gas utility’s market-rate energy efficiency programs and with a Northeastern electric and gas utility’s low-income energy efficiency program. We surveyed participants about their perceived changes in winter comfort, summer comfort, safety, health, and noise to monetize each NEI and assess how the estimates varied with measure installations (e.g., water heater only participants, HPwES participants, etc.). The research found that NEI estimates varied dramatically between valuation methods. This paper reviews the various valuation methods, how the results vary across the methods, how the results differ depending on energy efficiency measures, and how the results differ between the market-rate and low-income programs. This paper was presented at the 2022 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Download Here.
Energy efficiency programs have significant impacts in addition to the energy savings they achieve, including economic, environmental, and participant impacts. The Non-Energy Impact (NEI) literature extends back for a few decades, but there are many challenges with the research. While there are hundreds of reports that cover NEIs from energy efficiency programs, many are dated and most do not calculate benefits that are specific to the program and jurisdiction studied. This study aimed to overcome several of these issues by conducting a survey with participants in a low-income energy efficiency program; performing rigorous sample design, implementation, weighting, and analysis; obtaining high survey response rates; and providing transparency regarding methods, potential issues, and limitations. The study focused on five specific participant NEIs achieved through the program. The winter comfort, summer comfort, health, safety, and noise impacts were measured through three different survey-based approaches, results across approaches were compared, and recommendations were made with respect to the preferred methodology and additional research that is needed. Download Here.
The National Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Evaluation included surveys with program participants before and after they received the program treatments. One of the key goals of the data collection effort was to estimate the impact of WAP on outcomes beyond energy usage, including health, safety, comfort, and affordability. This report provides a description of the research conducted and an analysis of WAP’s impact on these non-energy benefits. Because such findings may be used in cost-effectiveness tests and impact the level of energy efficiency investments, it is critical to conduct additional studies that provide verification or refutation of these results. Download Here.
APPRISE published a report on the non-energy impacts measured in the National WAP Client Longitudinal Survey. ORNL previously published a separate report on these benefits and the valuation of these benefits using data from the Occupant Survey as well as secondary data. This report compares the analysis and results from the APPRISE and the ORNL studies. While there are many differences in the approaches used, the most significant differences in terms of valuing the non-energy benefits is that APPRISE does not include changes that are not measured as statistically significant in this study, while ORNL does include those changes. More research of this kind is needed to assess these findings and to further estimate the impact of energy efficiency on non-energy impacts. Download Here.
This report presents findings from the evaluation of The Ohio REACh Project. The Ohio REACh project targeted additional resources to low income weatherization to go beyond energy use and energy bill reduction and more comprehensively address the needs of low-income households. This project sent energy professionals and health professionals to the homes of clients to prioritize the health and energy investments so that they complement each other. The outcome of the program should be that the household energy systems are able to deliver the energy services needed by the home in a way that is energy efficient and healthy. The goal was to ensure that all households that have vulnerable individuals who receive services through the weatherization program would have adequate energy services and a healthier home environment after the completion of service delivery. The final reports presents the process evaluation findings and recommendations. Download Here.
This report presents initial findings from the evaluation of The Ohio REACh Project. The Ohio REACh project targeted additional resources to low income weatherization to go beyond energy use and energy bill reduction and more comprehensively address the needs of low-income households. This project sent energy professionals and health professionals to the homes of clients to prioritize the health and energy investments so that they complement each other. The outcome of the program should be that the household energy systems are able to deliver the energy services needed by the home in a way that is energy efficient and healthy. The goal was to ensure that all households that have vulnerable individuals who receive services through the weatherization program will have adequate energy services and a healthier home environment after the completion of service delivery. The interim report presents initial process evaluation findings and recommendations. Download Here.
Energy efficiency programs have significant impacts in addition to the energy savings they achieve, including economic, environmental, and participant impacts. The Non-Energy Impact (NEI) literature extends back for a few decades, but there are many challenges with the research. While there are hundreds of reports that cover NEIs from energy efficiency programs, many are dated and most do not calculate benefits that are specific to the program and jurisdiction studied. This study aimed to overcome several of these issues by conducting a survey with participants in a residential energy efficiency program; performing rigorous sample design, implementation, weighting, and analysis; obtaining high survey response rates; and providing transparency regarding methods, potential issues, and limitations. The study focused on five specific participant NEIs achieved through the program. The winter comfort, summer comfort, health, safety, and noise impacts were measured through three different survey-based approaches, results across approaches were compared, and recommendations were made with respect to the preferred methodology and additional research that is needed. Download Here.