Cover of the Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households report.

The LBNL Electricity Markets and Policy Group's work on delivering energy efficiency to middle income single family households explores strategies that can be used to increase the adoption of home energy upgrades in this market. Because there is no single solution to reach this group, and many communities are learning more about what works right now, we've created this webpage to share resources as they are developed.

Report & Policy Briefs

Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households
Zimring, M., M. G. Borgeson, I. Hoffman, C. Goldman, E. Stuart, A. Todd and M. Billingsley. LBNL-5244E. December 2011
Full report, 5 MB PDF

Press Release

Scaling Energy Efficiency in the Heart of the Residential Market: Increasing Middle America's Access to Capital for Energy Improvements
Zimring, M., M.G. Borgeson, I. Hoffman, C. Goldman, E. Stuart, A. Todd and M. Billingsley. Clean Energy Financing Policy Brief. March 2012
Policy Brief, 580 KB PDF

Extending Efficiency Services to Underserved Households: NYSERDA's Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program
Zimring, M., M.G. Borgeson, I. Hoffman, C. Goldman, E. Stuart, A. Todd and M. Billingsley. Clean Energy Financing Policy Brief. April 2012
Policy Brief, 392 KB PDF

Using Credit Enhancements to Leverage Existing CDFI Capacity: Indianapolis EcoHouse Project Loan Program
Zimring, M., M.G. Borgeson, I. Hoffman, C. Goldman, E. Stuart, A. Todd and M. Billingsley. Clean Energy Financing Policy Brief. April 2012
Policy Brief, 436 KB PDF

Alternative Underwriting Criteria — Using Utility Bill Payment History as a Proxy for Credit: Case Study on Clean Energy Works Oregon
Zimring, M., M.G. Borgeson, I. Hoffman, C. Goldman, E. Stuart, A. Todd and M. Billingsley. Clean Energy Financing Policy Brief. April 2012
Policy Brief, 340 KB PDF

Boulder, Colorado's SmartRegs: Minimum Performance Standards for Residential Rental Housing
Zimring, M., M.G. Borgeson, I. Hoffman, C. Goldman, E. Stuart, A. Todd and M. Billingsley. Clean Energy Financing Policy Brief. March 2012
Policy Brief, 284 KB PDF

Presentations

Overview of the report findings [Slides]

Webinars

Financing Middle Income Energy Improvements
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST
Slides and Audio and Slides only

Many of today's energy efficiency financing programs are rejecting half or more of applicants--these rejection rates are higher among middle income households. How can we overcome the up-front cost barrier by responsibly increasing access to capital? Hear from program managers and financial experts about what's being piloted today and what's being planned for tomorrow.

Driving Demand for Middle Income Energy Improvements & Addressing Housing Issues
February 14, 2012, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST
Slides and Audio and Slides only

What will it take to motivate middle income homeowners to invest in energy efficiency? How can programs and contractors address non-energy housing issues (e.g. mold, asbestos, ventilation issues) that need to be remediated in conjunction with energy improvements? Hear from energy efficiency program managers and experts about what works and what doesn't.

Overview of Report Findings
January 24, 2012, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Slides and Audio and Slides only

This webinar will provide a high level summary of the LBNL report, Delivering Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households, which identifies steps that energy efficiency program managers and policy makers can take to deliver significant savings on home energy bills to middle income U.S. households.

In-Person Forum for Practitioners and Policy Makers

Monday, March 26th from 8:00am - 1:00pm at the Hilton Baltimore, MD
Presented by the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action) Residential Retrofit Working Group

This forum is for program managers, policy makers, and contractors who work in residential energy efficiency program design and delivery, and who aim to expand or strengthen their services for middle income households. The objectives of this forum are to:

  • Discuss specific promising strategies to better serve middle income households
  • Connect program managers, policy makers, and contractors to each other, with the potential for ongoing conversations and collaboration
  • Gather stakeholder input on additional research, forums, or other activities that the Residential Retrofit Working Group could undertake to support progress

This event will be held immediately before the ACI Home Energy Leadership Summit in the same location. Info about the location, lodging, and the ACI Summit can be found HERE. For more info about this forum or the Residential Retrofit Working Group, please contact Julie Hughes (Julie.Hughes@ee.doe.gov) at the US Department of Energy.

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LBNL Electricity Markets and Policy Group Publications

Check out the Energy Efficiency publications to see the most recent reports, policy briefs, case studies and presentations on LBNL's work with energy efficiency programs across the nation.

Contact

Mark Zimring
(510) 495-2088