 Motivating
Existing Homeowners to Make Energy Saving Improvements
Building code enhancements are making
new homes more energy efficient, but how do we encourage
owners of existing homes to take a comprehensive
approach to home improvement rather than just replacing
a furnace when it breaks? Several utilities and
energy organizations are demonstrating that a
comprehensive approach can achieve energy savings of up
to 50% or more in existing buildings.
These demonstrations are being
achieved by conducting Home Energy Makeover Contests,
modeled after reality television shows. The
contest takes a building-science approach to the
selection of a home that best demonstrates the potential
for energy savings based on BTU-per-square-foot and
other factors. The winning home receives a
makeover using energy-saving products and services
donated by local suppliers. Then, all contest
entrants (i.e. contest losers) and other community
members are invited to tour the newly-improved, winning
home and learn how to conduct their own energy makeover
at their own expense using the local suppliers. In all
cases, the winning home owners make a compelling case to
the home visitors and media for the non-energy benefits
that the improvements achieve in comfort, health, safety
and more.
UtilityExchange.org
administers home energy makeover contests and consumer
workshops on behalf of program sponsors. Services range
from providing advisory or consultative support to
program sponsors that want to manage their own contest,
up to full program management and overall contest
administration. Makeover Contest Video Highlights Some
of the Home Energy Makeover Contests that Ed Thomas has
administered include:
-
National Capital Home Energy
Makeover Contest
-
Energy Upgrade California in LA
County Makeover Contest
-
Southeast Energy Efficiency
Alliance cities Home Energy Makeover Contests
-
Texas Co-op Power Home Energy
Makeover Contests
-
Xcel Energy Home Makeover Contests
-
South Carolina Help My House
Contest
Why Sponsor A Home Energy
Makeover Contest?
-
Expand consumer, community leader
and media awareness of utility home energy
efficiency programs.
-
Demonstrate "real energy savings"
and the benefits of building science based
assessment and testing, quality installation and a
comprehensive whole house approach to home
efficiency upgrades.
-
Showcase the benefits of home
energy efficiency as seen through the eyes of a
homeowner.
-
Generate qualified leads for trade
allies participating in utility or community wide
programs and jump-start consumer program
participation.
-
Provide a model for collaboration
between the program sponsor, contractors and
equipment manufacturers and distributors.
To learn more, contact Ed
Thomas
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