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Energy efficiency
Discover CLEAResult’s latest articles on energy efficiency and stay informed on the biggest trends for a greener and more sustainable future.
Commercial new construction projects have a unique opportunity to implement energy-efficient design and construction strategies that significantly improve energy performance, reduce carbon footprints and improve long-term operational efficiency. Yet, these projects face many challenges, including , supply chain delays, complex building codes and permitting – factors that can often overshadow energy-related considerations. Building codes and tax incentives in many jurisdictions can help push projects in the right direction, but stakeholders (including architects, contractors, financiers and eventually tenants) need additional support to bring energy efficiency to the forefront of these conversations. This creates a tremendous opportunity for utility programs to engage with stakeholders, provide valuable energy-efficient resources, and shape the future of new buildings by advancing high-performance, sustainable development. Why are new construction programs important? New construction programs, led by utilities or other energy program providers, help ensure that stakeholders not only consider sustainability, energy usage and grid connectivity when developing a new project, but also provide education and incentives to drive energy-conscious decisions. Energy savings: Perhaps most importantly, new buildings provide a huge energy savings opportunity for utility programs and their customers. Some large commercial buildings can use as much energy as an entire neighborhood of single-family homes, and large-scale data centers may use . Finding ways to reduce energy usage helps utilities reduce the load on the grid and can help lower operating costs for the building owner or future tenants. When utilities fail to engage with these projects during the design phase, they risk missing out on significant cost-effective energy savings – opportunities that could enhance program flexibility and support a more diverse portfolio of energy solutions. Shaping building trends and workforce development: A crucial aspect of these programs is educating stakeholders at every stage of the project. New construction programs can empower architects to assess the energy impact of design choices and equipment selection while considering the costs and benefits of onsite generation and storage. They also support contractors in implementing energy-efficient designs during construction and sourcing high-efficiency equipment. This training and collaboration helps transform the market for these services, ensuring more building design professionals proactively integrate energy efficiency into future projects. Decades of energy-efficient design: The usable life of a new building should stretch into many decades, so it’s critical to consider energy impact during design and construction to minimize or avoid future retrofitting. Prioritizing energy efficiency from the start helps utilities stay ahead of demand while adding valuable assets to existing and future grid-connected programs, such as demand response, for years to come. How do new construction programs provide incentives for energy-efficient design?There are several ways commercial new construction programs can help shift projects toward more energy-efficient designs, including: Financial incentives: Like many energy efficiency programs, one of the easiest ways to help customers make a more efficient choice is to provide rebates or incentives. In new construction programs this can take many forms, including prescriptive incentives for new energy-efficient equipment installed in the building or performance-based incentives based on how much more efficient the building is over code. Design assistance resources: It’s imperative that architects and builders understand the impact of their decisions on energy usage as early as possible in the design phase. Incentivizing key stakeholders to attend design charrettes helps put efficiency on the table as an important value-add for all involved. Additionally, utility programs can streamline the process by providing valuable technical resources, l… energy modeling through strategic partnerships, to simplify energy-efficient building design. Training and education: Many architects, contractors and other building stakeholders could have an appetite for energy-efficient design, they just don’t know enough about it yet. By providing training, expert connections and valuable resources, these programs can help them expand their expertise in energy-efficient design, equipment and materials. This knowledge makes their services even more marketable to clients. Training and education are especially important in , where exposure to green or sustainable building practices may be limited.We are proud to collaborate with a network of forward-thinking partners on that set the standard for excellence. But we need to continue to expand the impact of these programs beyond just urban centers to all communities across the U.S. and Canada. By working in tandem with other utility program offerings, we can help customers save energy and money, reduce the need for new transmission and infrastructure, and build a more sustainable, resilient energy future.
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2024 proved to be a pivotal year for energy sustainability. In November, Republicans won control of the Presidency, House and Senate, leading most observers to predict as attention shifts to fossil fuels. Despite this consensus, many variables make it difficult to truly predict how changes in U.S. energy policy will play out in the marketplace moving forward. With over two decades of experience navigating shifting energy policies, we have helped businesses and utilities adapt to regulatory changes and market uncertainties. Drawing from this expertise, we’ve identified the major U.S. energy trends shaping the future. Top energy trends in the U.S.Electricity consumption in the U.S. grew by 2% last year, after two decades of relatively flat growth. , fueled by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. in 2024, accounting for 7% of electricity produced in the U.S. in 2024, after nearly a 3% drop in 2023, primarily due to an increase in road activity and the number of flights. Rising building emissions, another top source of carbon dioxide, are linked to increased energy demand from hot weather. The cost of climate changeClimate change remained a major concern. in the U.S. caused a total of $183 billion in damages, making 2024 the fourth costliest year ever in terms of climate-related disasters. Hurricane Helene, the most damaging of these events, devastated inland regions of North Carolina that had previously been considered less risky than coastal areas. This milestone has already been surpassed in 2025—the L.A. wildfires are expected to be the costliest U.S. disaster in history, with over $250 billion in damages. CLEAResult’s actionable energy strategies for businessesGoal setting – Even if the new administration derails climate disclosure rules at the federal level, corporations still face pressure from states and investors to decarbonize. Our experts can help your business establish its carbon footprint, analyze energy use and set carbon emissions goals.Facility upgrades – Look for ways to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. Our engineers can assess how your facilities use energy and recommend ways to upgrade equipment, transition to electrification and incorporate onsite renewable energy.Strategic Energy Management (SEM) – Explore how to eliminate energy waste and train staff to be more energy efficient. Our SEM team specializes in these and other methods to make continuous improvements that will optimize your long-term energy use.Climate resilience planning – Corporations face increasing pressure from investors and regulators to consider extreme weather event scenarios and develop risk mitigation plans. Our Energetics team can help your company prepare for natural disasters and minimize operational disruptions._________________________________Our Energy Sustainability team specializes in helping businesses plan and implement changes that reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.To learn more about decarbonization, visit our . To speak with one of our decarbonization consultants, book a consultation using the form at the bottom of the page.
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As we head into 2025, we ask: what were the key trends and challenges affecting energy programs to emerge in 2024 and how will they evolve over the coming year? From rising energy demand and commercial energy costs to the crucial need to reach under-resourced communities, we must approach these issues with a renewed focus on the existing solutions that work, coupled with new energy innovations and effective collaborations. Rising energy demand increases the need for energy efficiency and demand response Rapid growth in electrical demand due to manufacturing growth, electric vehicle popularity and the computing power behind and have increased the urgency for energy programming across the U.S. and Canada. Demand for electricity is , resulting in a drastic threat to our electric grid. As our industry aims to weather this storm, two of our most tried and true methods of energy management will be key: energy efficiency and demand response. Ensuring that millions more customers enroll in demand response programs in the coming years will help an already stressed grid avoid peak events caused by extreme summer or winter weather across the country. Utilities can build a positive two-way relationship with their customers and continue to gather valuable data by expanding their demand response offerings to meet the coming challenge. But reducing peak demand isn’t the only path; we need to rely on energy efficiency as well to reduce the total demand in both residential and commercial settings. By improving energy efficiency and chipping away at the rising demand, we can significantly enhance long-term grid resiliency. While demand response requires most customers to opt-in, many energy efficiency measures (for example, insulation) can last for a decade or more even as existing building tenants or homeowners are replaced. Identifying the needs and opportunities in key industries like data centers and artificial intelligence is another prime opportunity for energy efficiency programs to help push back against rising demand. The good news is utility programs already have some of the tools to combat this growing demand. The next step is continuing to connect the dots between energy efficiency, demand response and grid resilience so we can grow the funding and impact of these critical programs. Getting creative to reach under-resourced communitiesUnderserved communities including low-to-moderate income (LMI), rural and indigenous customers and this represents a major opportunity for energy programs. Traditional cost-effectiveness tests used by utilities to justify their program funding often do not allow the level of investment needed to get these customers the help they need. But ongoing investments outside of the utility space and creative blending of this funding can open doors to reach more customers and build more equitable programs. 2024 saw the of Infla… Reduction Act Home Energy Rebate programs in nine states, with more expected to come through in 2025. This massive federal investment provides more than $8 billion in funding to help LMI customers reduce their energy burden and upgrade their homes. Utilities in many of these states are already actively working to combine efforts with these state-led programs to ensure homeowners can maximize savings. This is a great example of where integrating funding from multiple sources can help utilities and other energy program providers go beyond their typical offerings and increase the impact of their energy programs. But federal and state funding sources aren’t the only paths to explore. Utility programs across the country are exploring how they can work with local nonprofits, healthcare organizations and more to more effectively reach and impact these underserved communities. As rising costs and energy demand increase the need to help these customers, utilities should be actively exploring new partnerships and creative funding solutions to supercharge their programs. Rising costs provide opportunities for commercial programsInflationary pressure and supply chain challenges coupled with the (due in part to increased demand) provides a key opportunity for businesses across North America to think critically about how they use energy. Now more than ever, commercial energy efficiency programs should be positioning their offerings as a key solution to cost saving and profitability, especially in the small and medium businesses (SMBs) sector. A 2024 survey found that more than 60% of SMBs consider energy to be a moderate to large business expense and highlighted growing interest in demand response or electrification to help. Utility programs should be doubling down on their outreach efforts to commercial customers, with a focus on alleviating energy costs and providing other non-energy benefits (like decreased maintenance costs). Helping businesses develop long-term plans and energy-conscious decision-making through str… energy management (SEM) is another path that can build quality relationships and long-term savings for the businesses and utilities. Lastly, with a focus on grid interactivity should help reduce operating costs for businesses and turn these building into much needed grid assets for utilities as they face rising demand challenges. The need for energy solutions is growing among commercial customers; it’s up to existing energy programs to make the connection and provide the right value proposition. Check out more of our energy insights and learn how energy programs can thrive in 2025.
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Launching a new energy program today requires careful planning, agility and strong partnerships to succeed. Utility leaders face increasingly sophisticated challenges as they work to balance stakeholder expectations, integrate new technologies and achieve strategic goals. In our Program Startup and Launch session at the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum, our experts shared practical strategies to overcome these complexities and deliver successful program launches. By applying these insights, utility professionals can enhance their own processes and improve program outcomes. Panelists:Reema Vashi, Operations Director at CLEAResultMarc Bigby, Program Portfolio Manager at CLEAResultMarshall Johnson, Sr. Program Manager at Energy Trust of OregonBobby Robertson, President and CEO at Client Confidant Adapting to modern launch complexitiesProgram launches have evolved significantly over the decades. They now require advanced technology tools, detailed customer-centric designs, and a focus on su… and decarbonization. Reema Vashi encouraged utility leaders to build frameworks that support quick reactions and adaptations to changing market conditions. She compared early program launches in the 1970s and 1980s to simple house parties. By the 1990s, launches became more complex, resembling themed events with more planning. Today, program launches feel like organizing a large-scale event with multiple components and diverse stakeholder needs. Utility leaders must stay prepared and implement effective project management strategies to succeed.Encouraging open communication and teamworkOne panelist emphasized the importance of open communication and teamwork across departments. He recommended involving the right people early to align on goals and clarify roles and responsibilities. Shared tracking systems and regular communication keep teams accountable and reduce confusion throughout the launch process. When the session audience was polled on their most common challenge with program launches, lack of time was the overwhelming top answer. Time management and planning are critical to program success, as rushed launches often lead to mistakes. Setting realistic timeframes, accounting for variability and including extra time for problem-solving help utilities anticipate roadblocks and ensure smoother launches. Developing strong vendor partnershipsUtility leaders need to establish strong partnerships with vendors and implementation partners to ensure successful program launches. Clear communication and shared goals create smoother transitions, particularly for new or complex programs. Providing extra support to new vendors helps them understand program expectations, keeping everyone aligned and minimizing confusion. Early-stage discussions set the foundation for trust and transparency, which allows utilities and vendors to navigate challenges more effectively and deliver better results. Overcoming common launch challengesThe panelists shared their strategies for tackling common challenges faced during program launches. They agreed that setting clear expectations and applying strong project management practices are essential for keeping programs on track when scope changes or unexpected issues arise. Early collaboration during the contracting phase can prevent misunderstandings later on. Bobby Robertson highlighted the need for clarity around scope, timelines and desired outcomes to avoid surprises and ensure smooth implementation. With a structured approach and transparent communication, utilities can navigate even the most complex launches with confidence. Key takeawaysEstablish clear communication channels and shared tracking systems. Bring the right stakeholders together early, align on expectations, and use tracking systems to hold everyone accountable and keep the launch on track.Plan with flexibility in your timelines. Build extra time into your plans to address potential roadblocks and adapt to changes without sacrificing quality or rushing critical stages.Build strong vendor partnerships through early and ongoing collaboration. Invest time in building trust and establishing shared goals to create a supportive environment where vendors and implementers can thrive.Use a structured launch process. Apply standardized frameworks, such as stage-gate processes, to provide a clear path forward, reduce risk and increase program success. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Utilities are adopting market transformation strategies to drive lasting change in the energy efficiency landscape. At the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum, industry experts discussed how utilities can use market transformation programs to promote new approaches and technologies that reshape the market. They explained how market transformation differs from traditional energy efficiency (EE) programs and shared strategies utilities can use to create long-lasting change as the market continues to evolve. What is market transformation?Market transformation programs aim to create permanent, sustained changes in the market. Unlike traditional EE programs that focus on short-term savings, market transformation programs seek to change the way the market operates even after program interventions end. This means moving beyond rebates and incentives and focusing on upstream changes, such as influencing manufacturers and distributors to adopt new standards. One panelist from Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) explained that one challenge is that market transformation can seem intangible because it targets structural changes at the market level. NEEA relies heavily on logic models to identify barriers and develop specific metrics to track whether the market is moving in the desired direction. This approach helps utilities better understand their progress and demonstrate success in a way that’s measurable and transparent. Using federal and state funding to drive market transformation effortsNew federal and state funding, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), provides a unique opportunity for utilities to develop market transformation programs that can sustain demand for energy efficiency services long-term. It was noted that the IRA requires states to file market transformation plans to access funding, ensuring that new programs are designed to create continued demand even after the funding ends. Overcoming challenges in market transformation programsImplementing market transformation programs comes with challenges, especially for utilities that are tied to immediate savings goals. Some programs justify the value of educational and training programs by showing how these efforts lead to greater adoption of energy-efficient technologies over time. NEEA emphasized that collaboration with manufacturers, distributors, and other stakeholders is key. For example, NEEA worked with manufacturers to introduce heat pump dryers to the U.S. market—demonstrating how partnerships can accelerate adoption and transform the market. Key takeawaysFocus on lasting change: Market transformation aims for permanent changes that continue after the program ends.Use federal funding strategically: Align new programs with federal and state funding requirements to sustain demand for energy efficiency.Collaboration is key: Work with partners and stakeholders to overcome barriers and drive upstream changes.Measure success with data: Use data to track progress, adoption rates, and long-term outcomes. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Gas utilities are facing new challenges as they adapt to increasing pressure from stringent codes, standards and electrification policies. During our Gas Utility Engineering session at the, industry experts discussed the novel approaches that are keeping natural gas programs viable. This session offered practical insights on how utilities can continue to deliver energy savings through emerging technologies, from gas heat pumps to carbon capture. Natural gas heat pumps: Staying in the conversationOne of the session's key discussions focused on gas heat pumps (GHPs), a technology that is playing an important role in balancing the push toward electrification with the continued relevance of gas. In regions that are difficult to electrify, such as remote areas or large-scale industrial sites, gas engine heat pumps (GEHPs) and gas absorption heat pumps (GAHPs) offer efficient heating solutions that still reduce energy consumption. GAHPs, which use ammonia-water solutions instead of a traditional compressor, have shown impressive results as a replacement for gas boilers, consistently achieving a coefficient of performance (COP) above 1.0.One panelist piloted GAHPs in two low-rise office buildings, achieving 25% energy savings by integrating them with existing hydronic heating systems. These systems allow the GAHPs to carry the heating load before the less efficient boilers kick in. However, the payback period remains long, between 13–16 years. One client conducted a similar pilot with 14% savings and a shorter payback period, but both pilots highlight the challenges of implementing gas heat pumps in the current market. High costs and the need for specialized installers create barriers, though public facilities have more options to tap into grants and incentives.Gas heat pumps offer a pathway to improved efficiency in areas where … is difficult or impractical, but the industry must address cost and market barriers, including installer training and incentive alignment.Small-scale carbon capture: the next frontier?Small-scale carbon capture has the potential to make gas-fired equipment more sustainable. Although carbon capture technology has existed for decades, it has mostly been used in large-scale applications like power generation. Small-scale carbon capture aims to create refrigerator-sized units that can capture emissions from boilers, furnaces and industrial processes.This technology still faces hurdles. Capturing and storing CO2 on a smaller scale is less efficient and more costly than larger systems. One example was a high-rise building using combined heat and power systems, where carbon capture equipment was installed in the basement to store CO2 for use in building materials like concrete. Despite its potential, small-scale carbon capture struggles with high energy needs and challenges in CO2 storage and transportation.Small-scale carbon capture is a promising development, but it’s not yet cost-effective for widespread use. Utilities should monitor this technology but recognize the current limitations in scaling it for smaller projects.New opportunities for energy efficiency programsThe , with panelists emphasizing the importance of maintaining gas’s role in meeting grid capacity needs. Natural gas is still the most reliable option for certain applications, particularly in energy-intensive industries like data centers and crypto mining, where electricity alone cannot meet demand. The panelists argued that gas utilities should advocate for non-energy benefits and cost-effectiveness tests that include the environmental and societal value of reducing carbon emissions through gas-based technologies.For example, carbon capture utilization and storage has shown promise at larger scales but needs further development to be feasible for commercial and residential applications. The panel highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in technologies like gas heat pumps and carbon capture, while also working to integrate hydrogen-ready equipment into the gas infrastructure.Gas utilities should innovate around emerging technologies, while also pushing for policies that account for the full environmental benefits of gas.Key takeawaysExplore gas heat pumps. GAHPs and GEHPs provide a valuable tool for areas that are hard to electrify. Focus on finding incentives and training programs to lower installation costs and overcome market barriers.Watch carbon capture developments. Although small-scale carbon capture isn’t ready for mass deployment, keeping an eye on future advancements can position utilities to lead when the technology becomes more practical.Advocate for policy support. Utilities should work to ensure that non-energy benefits like emissions reductions are considered in cost-effectiveness tests for gas programs, making it easier to justify continued investment in gas efficiency technologies.Look toward hydrogen. Hydrogen-ready equipment can help future-proof gas infrastructure and keep natural gas in the conversation as renewable energy sources expand. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Utilities are facing tougher energy-saving standards and declining returns from traditional programs, but new strategies are helping them overcome these challenges. In our Electric Energy Engineering session at the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum, experts shared insights from real-world projects on how utilities can continue to drive savings and improve energy performance for their customers. The big takeaway? Utilities interested in boosting the effectiveness of their programs should focus on improving customers’ operations and tapping into underutilized resources. Finding new solutions to lightingLighting programs with LEDs delivered major energy savings in the past, but as lighting savings decrease, utilities must find new ways to achieve their goals. Clair Hessmer, one of CLEAResult’s engineering leads, shared that in one state, savings from LEDs dropped from 90 gigwatts (GW) in 2018 to less than 30 GW in recent years based on market forces alone, without any regulatory drivers. While some utilities in regions where fluorescent bans aren’t fully implemented are still optimistic about continued savings, relying on these projects doesn’t offer a sustainable path forward.Utilities need to rethink their reliance on lighting projects for energy savings and explore other technologies and approaches like Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) and Strat… Energy Management (SEM) programs.The power of SEMThe session highlighted a case study involving a public university that joined a CLEAResult-led SEM program. Despite having high-end technology like solar panels and automated HVAC systems, the university struggled to achieve the expected performance. The culprit was found to be a lack of operational knowledge and misaligned system settings.The university focused on optimizing its existing systems. Through coaching and training provided by SEM, they identified key areas for improvement, which led to 6.6% energy savings. This underscores the idea that energy efficiency isn’t just about the latest gadgets—it’s about understanding how to operate and maintain what you have.By investing in SEM, utilities can help customers achieve significant savings through operational improvements without the need for expensive new equipment. HVAC tune-ups: More than just maintenanceThe HVAC sector is also experiencing diminishing returns as more stringent efficiency requirements are implemented. CoolSaver, a test-in/test-out HVAC tune-up program, has proven successful in extracting additional savings from existing systems.A case study from Arkansas demonstrated how a simple tune-up went beyond improving the performance of 22 HVAC units and identified two units that needed to be repaired or replaced, yielding significant energy savings for the customer and creating a virtuous cycle of energy savings. This program allowed the utility to claim savings through multiple streams, including SEM/CEI, making it a win-win for the utility, the contractor and the customer. CoolSaver’s detailed, data-driven reports helped build relationships with facility managers, ensuring continued engagement and future savings opportunities.Utilities should consider expanding HVAC tune-up programs like CoolSaver, which offer multiple touchpoints for long-term savings and improved customer relationships.Handling complex incentive systemsFunding availability has increased in recent years, but for many customers, understanding how to access and combine these funds remains a challenge. In a case study centered around a chemical manufacturer in Illinois, the company struggled to navigate the various incentives offered by gas and electric utilities. Despite identifying an upgrade project and both utilities prioritizing customer service, the customer faced delays and confusion due to the between the two utilities.This highlights the need for utilities to streamline the process for customers and offer clear guidance on how to braid funds from multiple sources, including government programs and utility incentives. Utilities that simplify this process can ensure that customers don’t miss out on opportunities to upgrade their equipment and improve energy efficiency.Utilities need to take a proactive approach in helping customers braid funding from multiple sources, ensuring projects move forward smoothly and efficiently.Key takeawaysShift focus away from lighting savings. As lighting savings decline, utilities must explore alternative energy-saving opportunities like SEM and CEI programs to deliver substantial results through operational improvements and access remaining pockets of untapped traditional savings.Promote SEM for operational efficiency. Encouraging customers to participate in SEM programs can unlock savings without requiring significant new investments in technology.Expand HVAC tune-up programs. Programs like CoolSaver provide multiple benefits for utilities, contractors and customers by identifying inefficiencies and offering ongoing savings opportunities.Simplify funding navigation. Utilities should take an active role in helping customers combine various funding sources, ensuring smooth project implementation and increased satisfaction. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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As access to customer and energy usage data increases, utilities can now apply advanced analytics to improve the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. During a panel at the CLEAResult Energy Forum, experts discussed how home, demographic and program participation data can be combined to create more targeted strategies and boost overall program results.The panel featured:Matt Braman, Business Intelligence Director at CLEAResultRyan Fantino, Director of Marketing Strategy at CLEAResultTheir discussion focused on how to identify high-propensity customers using data and develop models to guide program marketing.Applying data to target customersUtilities can better target homes by analyzing meter, audit and property data together. This approach helps create models that assign a savings potential score to each home, indicating where the greatest energy savings can be achieved. To predict customer engagement, utilities can incorporate marketing, transactional and demographic data to generate a propensity score. Using both scores together, utilities can develop a model that helps prioritize outreach and structure program marketing more effectively.Building accurate modelsEffective models start with good segmentation. For instance, only promoting natural gas offers to homes that use gas ensures outreach is relevant and avoids wasted resources. Incorporating geotargeting and property data further refines customer targeting. Staying consistent with messaging—through regular marketing alerts and brand visibility—helps utilities stay top of mind and increases engagement when customers are ready to act. Cross-team collaborationSuccess doesn’t just rely on data—it also requires collaboration across marketing, program, and analytics teams. When launching campaigns, aligning behavior change and demand generation strategies ensures customers receive the right message at the right time. Establishing an emotional connection through well-timed communications can motivate customers to participate and increase overall program success.Key takeawaysThe more data, the better. Use data from various sources to create accurate models and identify high-potential customers.Good segmentation boosts outreach. Segment customers properly to deliver relevant messages and avoid wasted outreach.Cross-team collaboration is essential. Marketing, program and analytics teams must work together to operationalize these models and improve program outcomes.Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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On day two of the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum, Chrissa Pagitsas shared her insights on navigating uncertainty in the utility sector. Her keynote outlined the 5 Ps of Sustainable Value Creation: prioritize key goals, forge strong partnerships, invest in pilots, integrate products and catalyze process change. Pagitsas said that disruptions—whether regulatory, market-driven or consumer-related—are opportunities for growth. Leaders who embrace uncertainty and engage in scenario planning will position their organizations for long-term success. With decarbonization and grid modernization on the rise, utilities need to act now to integrate sustainability into their core operations. The 5 Ps of Sustainable Value Creation Prioritization: Focus on aligning goals with stakeholder interests. Speaking in financial language, with terms such as "net operating income" or "asset value," helps secure internal buy-in. Partnerships: Build both external and internal partnerships. Pagitsas highlighted her experience partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to develop key sustainability scores and working with finance teams to align business and energy goals. Investing in pilots: Pilots are essential for testing new strategies and should be viewed as opportunities to learn. Leaders should welcome failure as a way to refine and improve future efforts. Integration with products: Sustainability should be integrated across all products and services so that every stakeholder sees the value in the utility’s sustainability efforts. Catalyzing process change: Sustainability needs to move from a supporting role to the center of operations. Utilities should embed sustainability into their processes at every level, from boardrooms to field teams. Fireside chat with Paul DouglasFollowing her keynote, Paul Douglas, founder of the JPI Group, joined Pagitsas for a fireside chat. They discussed the importance of piloting solutions to reach low-to-moderate-income (LMI) communities, touching on their unique needs that require testing new approaches through community engagement. Pilots allow for learning and adjusting strategies based on real-world feedback. Douglas stressed the critical role of workforce development, starting with high school programs to encourage careers in energy. He also mentioned how small businesses, which employ 60% of the U.S. workforce, often lack the necessary funding and training to participate in clean energy programs. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Grocery stores have long been key players in energy efficiency and demand response programs due to their high energy use and narrow profit margins. These factors make grocers eager to cut energy costs, which presents utilities with significant opportunities for energy savings and participation in energy efficiency or energy transition programs. As regulations change, the focus for many grocers may shift to the refrigerants used in refrigeration systems. While refrigerants haven't been a traditional target for energy efficiency efforts, new pilot programs suggest there is potential for utility partnerships to discover new savings here, redefining the future of energy programs.The transition from hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants In 2020, the began a phasedown, transitioning away from hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. Yet HFCs are still the main refrigerants used today and have a very high global-warming potential (GWP), making them a strong target for climate policy. This year marks the second step of the phasedown, whereby the total GWP of refrigerants produced in the U.S. needs to be 40% lower than the baseline from 2013. The market is already seeing the results of this. With manufacturers focusing on producing more low-GWP refrigerants, prices have significantly increased for commonly used high-GWP refrigerants like R-404A and R-134a. The lack of availability and price increases should compel grocers to look for low-GWP alternatives sooner rather than later. One of the first places they may turn is utility programs offering energy efficiency incentives that will offset some of the costs of this transition. However, there are challenges for utilities looking to integrate new refrigerants into their existing programs. Identifying energy savings in refrigeration Switching from a high-GWP to a low-GWP refrigerant doesn't always lead to immediate energy savings, as results can vary based on location and equipment type. Measuring and quantifying energy savings also requires metering equipment to track usage before and after the swap, which can be challenging and costly. CLEAResult clients have addressed this challenge by launching pilots to test and identify energy savings from refrigerant swaps. In Michigan, in collaboration with Consumers Energy and another Michigan utility, we worked with 56 restaurants and 24 grocery stores to do just that. Over the last three years, we conducted pre- and post-metering at these facilities and established savings estimates for both electric (kWh) and decarbonization (CO2 avoided) savings. Thanks to the data and positive findings of these pilots, we are targeting the addition of refrigerant swaps as a new prescriptive measure in the . While this addition is currently for specific-use cases (namely, medium-temperature walk-in refrigeration), it marks progress for refrigeration measures and identifies a new opportunity for this customer segment in Michigan to save energy. The future of grocery programs The effort to identify energy savings from refrigerants is ongoing in the Northeast. For the past 12 years, CLEAResult has administered National Grid’s EnergySmart Grocer program, which offers a comprehensive suite of measures to the grocery sector. These measures range from simple additions like night or strip curtains for refrigeration cases to more advanced measures like adding doors to refrigeration cases. This program takes a concierge approach, making it easy for grocers to identify energy-saving measures and minimizing the application process for quicker incentive payouts. The success of this program highlights the strong relationship National Grid has built with the grocery sector and the effectiveness of its approach. Over the past 12 years, the program has completed over 3,000 projects, saving over 183 million kilowatt-hours and 1.3 million therms. Earlier this year, National Grid selected CLEAResult to continue administering this program for the next three years. We look forward to introducing new measures and providing holistic support to grocers and foodservice customers. To supplement the existing measures, we recently completed a proof-of-concept pilot to quantify energy savings from repairing leaky refrigeration lines. Proper refrigeration management and other refrigerant transition activities are critical to the future of this program and others like it. This allows us to advise this market segment effectively, helping save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Exciting opportunitiesThe future of grocer-specific programs is bright. While more work is needed to identify and solidify energy savings, refrigeration offers significant opportunities for both utilities and this key market segment. Thanks to partners like National Grid and Consumers Energy, we are helping these essential businesses address their most pressing needs and achieve meaningful decarbonization and energy savings. Kevin Relyea is a Senior Practice Consultant for CLEAResult's Energy Efficiency Practice with a focus on commercial and industrial program designs. Kevin has a Master's degree in Information Management and over 16 years of experience on energy efficiency programs and innovations in particular focus on grocery and new construction segments that have delivered results across the U.S. Kevin is a keen follower of federal and state regulations that relate to low-GWP refrigerants and always looking for opportunities to bridge the gap between utility and decarbonization funding to help customers find their future-proof solution.
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Dan Reicher, Executive Director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University, kicked off the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum in a fireside chat with CLEAResult CEO Rich McBee. Together, they discussed the biggest challenges facing a rapidly changing utility industry . Reicher shared his thoughts on navigating new regulations, meeting changing customer expectations and developing strategies to keep utilities ahead in a fast-evolving market.Here are highlights from their keynote conversation: The “Reicher Triangle”: The core of Dan’s approach to energy efficiency centers around integrating three things: innovation, policy and finance. These areas must work together, as success depends on each being informed by the others.Collaboration for impact: Teams from each area should closely collaborate and share insights to create meaningful and lasting outcomes. Effective coordination across the Reicher Triangle improves decision-making and helps drive real progress in energy programs.Retrofitting vs. new construction: Repurposing old infrastructure, like converting coal plants into solar farms, can save both time and money. It’s often a faster and less expensive solution than building new facilities.Energy efficiency: Although it's one of the most effective ways to reduce energy use, efficiency measures are often underutilized. Integrating efficiency with clean energy sources like wind and solar is key.Emerging technologies: Keep an eye on innovations like heat pumps and solar shingles, which are starting to gain broader adoption. These technologies combine energy generation and IT, creating new opportunities for utilities.Federal policies: Staying informed on new legislation is crucial. Bringing new stakeholders, like , into these efforts can further accelerate adoption.Election impact: Election outcomes may not significantly alter clean energy efforts because of the sector's strong growth. Clean energy demand and job creation are expected to continue increasing regardless of political changes.Three key takeawaysTackle difficult issues head on: Even long-standing, complex challenges like hydro dam debates can be addressed with persistence and the right strategies.Stay ahead of emerging problems: Proactively thinking about future issues and planning responses early can prevent small problems from becoming major obstacles.Integrate efforts for better results: Success is more likely when you align technology, policy and finance. Using the Reicher Triangle approach ensures all perspectives are considered and balanced for effective solutions. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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California utilities are achieving major energy efficiency results by tackling the state’s biggest challenges head-on. During a recent panel discussion, leaders from PG&E, SDG&E and CLEAResult shared how they turned these challenges into opportunities through collaboration, layered incentives and a commitment to serving all customers. Their strategies are setting a new standard for what’s possible when utilities adapt and innovate. The panel was moderated by CLEAResult's Emily Kemper and featured:Bryce Dias, Principal Program Manager at PG&EAlton Kwok, Decarbonization & Resiliency Portfolio Manager at SDG&EKelvin Valenzuela, Project Advisor at SDG&EKim DiCello, Program Director at CLEAResult Reaching more customers through tailored strategiesPG&E spoke about an ongoing pilot program that uses targeted outreach to identify customers who receive a comprehensive set of whole-home services. After launching, the program initially struggled to stand out from other offerings. PG&E adjusted its branding and messaging to align with what customers already knew, leading to higher engagement and participation. SDG&E works closely with statewide programs like Golden State Rebates to bring their customers a wide range of offerings. They connect with customers through multifamily initiatives, direct installs and home energy reports that provide personalized energy insights and savings recommendations. This direct communication has boosted response rates and improved customer satisfaction. Expanding equity through community-based effortsBoth utilities prioritize equity in their energy efficiency programs. PG&E’s pilot focuses on income-qualified customers by combining data-driven targeting with referrals from contractors and community advocates. This dual approach has expanded the program’s reach and allowed them to serve households that traditional data might have overlooked. SDG&E collaborates with local organizations, churches and advocacy groups to connect with underserved communities. They provide more than just rebates, offering information on advanced energy solutions like solar and electrification. This ensures that all customers, regardless of income or background, can access the benefits of energy efficiency. Overcoming challenges through clear solutionsSDG&E managed the complexities of launching new offerings alongside established programs by simplifying rules and communicating changes clearly to contractors and customers. This minimized confusion and kept programs on track. PG&E faced challenges with low-and-moderate-income (LMI) customers concerned about higher bills from electrification. By listening to feedback and adjusting their offerings, PG&E ensured value without financial risk, building customer trust and encouraging participation. Key takeawaysPrioritize equity: Partner with community-based organizations to expand reach and build trust in underserved communities.Leverage partnerships: Collaborate with manufacturers, distributors and local groups to drive the adoption of new technologies.Simplify communication: Use clear and direct communication with stakeholders to reduce confusion and support long-term program success.With an ongoing focus on equity and continuous adaptation, California’s utilities continue to lead in delivering meaningful energy efficiency results across the state. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Expanding access to energy efficiency programs offers lasting benefits for utilities and communities alike, including lower energy costs, improved comfort and healthier living environments. Yet, some communities remain excluded from these initiatives. At the Underserved Communities panel at the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum discussed strategies to close this gap, with a focus on engaging income-eligible households, tribal communities, and ensuring equitable energy efficiency program participation.Engagement strategies for income-eligible communitiesPanelists highlighted ways utilities can better serve income-qualified communities, starting with identifying homes that have outdated appliances or poor insulation. Programs like energy-saving kits, direct installs and heat pumps are key to reaching these households. Additionally, offering energy assessments that allow participants to choose their own upgrades has proven successful. Utilities can further build trust by working with local community leaders and extending efforts to rural and remote areas not connected to the grid.Building trust with tribal and Indigenous communitiesServing tribal and Indigenous communities takes a commitment to understanding their specific needs and respecting their culture. Utilities can make a significant impact by translating program materials into relevant languages and partnering with trusted local organizations. Focusing on health, safety and comfort rather than just cost savings can resonate more deeply. Involving local residents in program delivery—such as by hiring them to perform energy assessments or installations—strengthens relationships and fosters community support.Achieving equity in energy efficiencyEquity in energy programs means addressing barriers like health and safety concerns that might disqualify homes from upgrades. Some utilities have successfully partnered with healthcare providers to improve indoor air quality, which can make previously ineligible homes eligible for energy improvements. Collaborating with health and insurance providers can also help expand these initiatives, offering broader benefits and simplifying program implementation.Utilities can drive meaningful change by applying these strategies to their energy efficiency efforts, ensuring that underserved communities have the same access to resources and benefits. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Electrification presents a tremendous opportunity to reduce energy costs, meet sustainability goals and improve customer satisfaction. However, successful implementation requires more than just introducing new technologies. It calls for a thoughtful approach to program design and delivery that considers market opportunities, technology readiness and the regulatory landscape. During a recent panel discussion at the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum, experts from CLEAResult and client panelists shared insights on what works—and what doesn’t—when creating effective electrification programs. They explored strategies for navigating complex regulations, preparing for increased grid loads, and ensuring customers are well-informed and able to participate equally in electrification efforts.Prioritize a top-down electrification strategyA should balance market opportunities, technology readiness and regulatory alignment. Electrification programs need to focus on customer needs and be communicated clearly, so customers view the transition as beneficial rather than mandated by their utility. That said, one panelist highlighted the need to help customers understand potential short-term bill increases, especially for low-income households, while demonstrating how these costs will lead to savings over time. This approach builds trust and alleviates resistance to program participation. Educating contractors on these points can also help set proper expectations, creating a smoother experience for both customers and program implementers.Prepare for new infrastructure loadsTo support growing electrification, coordination is needed between local planning, grid operations and program teams. The panel discussed how, even within the same organization, these groups often operate separately, making it difficult to develop unified strategies. Breaking down these silos by aligning goals and addressing barriers such as outdated infrastructure is key to success. Strategies like upgrading transformers, testing new technologies and ensuring communication flows across departments will enable utilities to handle increased demand and prevent grid strain. This forward-thinking approach ensures the infrastructure can support electrification long term.Create an equal playing field for customersMany customers are unaware of the rebates and incentives available to them or how to adopt electrification technologies. Utilities should simplify the process by providing clear information and easy-to-access resources. This is particularly important for … communities that may face more challenges in participating. Support trade allies and contractors with training and resources to extend the reach of these programs, ensuring that everyone can benefit from electrification and its advantages.Leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding for electrification programsCombining IRA funding with existing incentives can help utilities offer more comprehensive home upgrades, preparing customers for future energy needs and reducing costs. Effective collaboration between utilities and state agencies is critical to ensure these income-qualified programs run smoothly and deliver the intended benefits. By working together, these stakeholders can create lasting impacts and make electrification accessible and beneficial for all. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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Natural gas utilities have a key role to play in a cleaner energy future but must adapt as the industry shifts toward decarbonization and increased electrification. At our Gas Innovation fireside chat at the 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum, industry leaders discussed strategies to navigate these shifts. The session covered balancing grid resilience and decarbonization, integrating with electric programs, and responding to policy changes. Panelists shared practical tactics to help gas utilities remain a valuable part of the energy mix. Industry leaders recently , focusing on balancing grid resilience and decarbonization, integrating with electric programs, and responding to evolving policy requirements. The experts shared practical tactics to help gas utilities continue to provide value as part of the energy mix, even as decarbonization efforts accelerate. Coordinating efforts to strengthen grid resilienceNatural gas is critical for heating and electricity generation, and it is a key resource for filling energy gaps during peak demand. Some utilities have leveraged funding to identify residential and commercial natural gas backup generators, enabling a more targeted response during outages and extreme weather events. Past events, like heatwaves that strain the electric grid, have shown how these resources can help maintain service and support electric infrastructure. Ensuring these generators are available and operational can help utilities handle similar challenges as electricity demand rises. Strategic approaches for successful program implementationGas utilities need clear strategies that support decarbonization and equity goals while aligning with electric utilities. Updated strategies include shifting to dual-fuel offerings, which allow for collaboration with electric utilities in underserved areas. Coordination efforts, like joint program implementation for residential customers, simplify the process and expand available options and education. In some areas, commercial customers share the cost of backup generators with their utility. Gas utilities build relationships with businesses by offering financial incentives and covering gas costs during use. This arrangement provides businesses with resilience during power outages and offers electric utilities load reduction during peak events. Educating customers and repurposing infrastructureEducating customers about the benefits of natural gas is essential for informed decision-making. Transparent discussions around costs, savings and energy options ensure that customers understand how natural gas can fit into a decarbonizing grid. Gas utilities should also look for ways to repurpose existing infrastructure, such as using natural gas as a fuel source for fuel cells to power critical facilities like data centers. This approach not only reduces costs but helps gas utilities contribute to grid resilience. By adopting these strategies, gas utilities can maintain their relevance in the energy market and play a crucial role in supporting a more resilient and decarbonized grid. Check out more lessons learned from our 2024 CLEAResult Energy Forum conference.
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There are currently numerous decarbonization funding opportunities available to businesses, provided by federal, state and local governments, as well as through utility programs. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was unveiled as the most substantial carbon reduction investment in U.S. history, for climate change and decarbonization initiatives. A portion of this historic investment will be realized through a multitude of incentives for businesses, including government grants and tax credits. This funding will enable businesses to plan their decarbonization investments with greater certainty of recouping their investment while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Where can you get funding?A large number of funding opportunities are currently available for businesses seeking to lower their carbon footprints, with more options becoming available as we move further into 2024. Here are just a few examples of the resources available for businesses.The IRA delivers direct incentives for businesses, including:Community solar participation – This is a multifaceted $27 billion investment slated for 2024 that provides funding for clean energy technologies, underfunded communities and solar access.Green banks – These mission-driven financial institutions provide low-cost capital through direct loans and/or credit support for local lenders for energy efficiency and clean energy projects.Industr… Assessment Centers – This Department of Energy program offers energy assessments and funding for small and medium-sized manufacturers.Sta… energy programs – A significant portion of federal funding will be distributed to state and local governments to develop and oversee the implementation of various energy efficiency and carbon reduction programs. Information on more potential funding options can be found on the . Why should businesses tackle their carbon footprint?Businesses can boost their attractiveness to investors by embarking on decarbonization projects and demonstrating their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Companies that begin mitigating climate-related operational and financial risks will be better positioned to maintain their revenue and client base during climate events.How do you go about it? Consider this action plan:Create a short list – Determine the three most impactful carbon reduction projects for your business.Prioritize – Order the chosen projects based on their strategic significance.Define scope – Detail the scope of work for each project listed, including deliverables, milestones, reports and expected final outcomes.Plan for action – Develop detailed plans outlining specific actions to be taken for each project.Establish timing – Create timelines to guide the implementation and ensure project milestones are met, including start/end dates, tasks, deadlines and dependencies.Apply for funding – Initiate the funding application process and solicit bids from relevant stakeholders. Our rebate and incentive management services can help companies identify such project opportunities and then research and apply for available incentives and funding from a variety of utility, federal, state and local government programs. Final note: Act soonWhile funding is still available for most IRA programs and through other sources, we recommend starting sooner rather than later. There is the large amount of money allocated for decarbonization efforts, but funding is still limited and will run out. Early applicants are the most likely to receive the full benefits available.
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Earlier this year we welcomed Energetics, a leading energy sustainability company focused on the future of decarbonization, to the CLEAResult family. We asked the team to share their thoughts on our combined capabilities. Tom Perrot on Energetics’ capabilities Jesse Geiger on Energetics’ experience on industrial projects Keri Macklin on how CLEAResult and Energetics will work together We’re excited about how complementary our teams are, and we look forward to offering our clients a new level of unrivaled service. To learn more about how your organization can benefit, contact us to start the conversation.
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August 16 marks the two-year anniversary of the and its billions in funding for transformational energy initiatives like Home Energy Rebates, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and extensive .CLEAResult has been following the Home Energy Rebates developments with great interest. The steady progress over the past two years has been promising, and we’re optimistic that Wisconsin’s recent launch of the may signal a new phase of Home Energy Rebates program rollouts. According to Rewiring America, 15 additional state energy offices are , and nine more are targeting mid-2025. While those plans are subject to change, we’re confident that the momentum will continue to build.Let’s look back at the last two years and some of the key developments along the way:Department of Energy (DOE) guidance on Home Energy Rebates: Last July, the DOE on the application process and how these programs would be implemented. It inspired questions and action across the industry on income qualification, technology and data sharing, and on how the measured and modeled path might not be so different after all. While each state and territory will bring its own unique approach to these programs, they are likely to serve as a proving ground for innovative energy programming.States and utilities begin collaborating: The IRA presents a significant opportunity to expand and enhance existing utility energy efficiency program benefits nationwide. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the state energy office are working together to leverage existing infrastructure in their design and implementation. By , Tennessee will bring the IRA dollars into an already-proven customer experience and maximize benefits for households that need it most. Last summer, TVA and representatives from the state of Tennessee to talk more about their collaboration.Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) announces national rebate tracker API: Last summer, PNNL who supports the DOE’s Home Energy Rebate Team announced the creation of an Applica… Programming Interface (API) that will allow state energy offices and implementers to securely connect to the national rebate tracker database and facilitate accurate and transparent reporting of program data to the DOE. For more than a year, CLEAResult has been grateful to participate in the feedback process with PNNL, offering our insights from the implementer’s viewpoint and contributing to its success. We are very excited for PNNL’s API to be deployed in the first program implementation.Technology solutions emerge to help simplify IRA implementation: As work proceeded with the API to simplify the IRA’s intricate workflows and reporting requirements, CLEAResult launched our turnkey solution CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates, designed to meet all the complex reporting requirements out of the box, allowing states to quickly mobilize and administer IRA programs and includes portals to simplify the interaction with contractors and customers participating in the programs.First group of states apply for funding: On January 17, 2024, California, Hawaii, New Mexico and New York became the for IRA Home Energy Rebates funding. Today, to set up rebate programs. A total of 23 have already applied for full funding, 15 of which have been approved.Solar for All funding is awarded: As part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund portion of the IRA, 60 applicants were awarded a combined $7 billion through the , and it became clear how important it would be to blend this and the Home Energy Rebates program together. The Solar for All program was designed to expand access to solar energy for low- and moderate-income households and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It also supports and .New York launches first Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program: In May 2024, New York became the first state to launch , which provides income-qualified customers with incentives for energy saving measures like air sealing, insulation and efficient appliances like heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and associated electrical upgrades.Wisconsin becomes the first state to launch the Home Efficiency Rebates program: Earlier this month, Wisconsin announced its first-in-the-nation launch of the Home Efficiency Rebates program, which provides energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified households across Wisconsin. Wisconsin will leverage CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates for implementation.Two years in and half the states and territories have submitted their applications. The deadline for all applications is in January. Now that the first programs have launched, we believe we’ve crossed an important threshold into the next phase of IRA dollars supporting energy projects across the country.
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Tuesday, August 27 | 12-1 pm CT Income-qualified energy efficiency programs aim to bring energy savings to underserved communities, but many households need extra help to start the process of receiving upgrades. Some homes require costly repairs or remediation before they can qualify, adding expenses and keeping these programs out of reach. To ensure that households most in need can access energy savings, programs must understand and address these barriers. Some programs are now using alternative funding sources to tackle the issues preventing participation for income-qualified customers. Join us for a webinar exploring the complex relationship between the social determinants of health and energy efficiency. In this hour-long conversation, you’ll learn: What are social determinants of health and how they contribute to energy inequityHow health and safety barriers prevent some customers from participating in energy programming How AES Indiana has explored alternative funding sources to bring new health and safety-focused offerings to their community Register now for our webinar on Tuesday, August 27 at 12 pm CT to join the conversation.Presenters:Rebeca Barrios-HurstSenior Practice ConsultantCLEAResult Chip AmoeDirector of Sustainability University of Michigan Health Adam HammondProgram Manager, Residential Customer ProgramsAES Indiana Register Now
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Austin, TX, August 02, 2024 — CLEAResult,&… America’s largest energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services provider, announced today that Wisconsin will use the CLEA… ATLASTM | IRA Home Energy Rebates platform for its first-in-the-nation launch of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Efficiency Rebates program. Bringing our nation’s most promising climate change programs to life demands a special kind of expertise as well as scalable, user-friendly tools that seamlessly verify income, manage contractors and simplify participation for everyone. CLEAResult ATLASTM | IRA Home Energy Rebates is a turnkey solution designed to help state energy offices (SEOs) effectively navigate complex IRA workflows and implement its programs with ease. The tool integrates directly with the Department of Energy (DOE) Rebate Tracking System and Coupon Generator, offering a ready-to-use solution for real-time compliance checks and reporting that streamlines the process of administering and monitoring home energy efficiency rebates. “By integrating with DOE systems, finding the simplest path for income verification, and optimizing benefits through incentive stacking, CLEAResult ATLAS™ | IRA Home Energy Rebates is thoughtfully designed to streamline IRA program participation and maximize impact,” said Divakar Jandhyala, Chief Product and Technology Officer at CLEAResult. “We’re excited to see Wisconsin leading the nation as the first state to implement the historic Home Efficiency Rebates program, setting a powerful example for others to follow.” The IRA Home Efficiency Rebates program will be available to all Wisconsin residents looking to implement energy efficiency upgrades in single-family and multi-family buildings. Wisconsin residents can access the income qualification and home energy assessment portions of the program now, with the rebate qualification phase of the program launching later in August. “Expanding access to energy efficiency programs is at the core of CLEAResult’s mission, and this landmark legislation stands to usher in a new era of sustainability initiatives,” said Rich McBee, CLEAResult’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re proud to offer a best-in-class solution that will empower as many Americans as possible to access energy-efficient upgrades, reduce costs and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.” Visit clea…; to learn more about the features and benefits of CLEAResult ATLAS™ | IRA Home Energy Rebates or request a demo. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramclearesult@teamsilverlin… BongaSilverline Communications(540) 746-2385
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This content was originally featured in our 2024 Energy Efficiency Outlook Report. Check out the full report for more. While electrification is expected to play a huge role in decarbonization efforts this year, in some regions, electrification may not be the most cost-effective option due to significa… variations in natural gas prices. In states or territories where natural gas is very inexpensive, a move toward electricity does not make financial sense for customers. This can be especially true for low-income customers who cannot afford new appliances, HVAC or electrical panel upgrades. In many areas and communities, gas efficiency programs are still a necessary focus for helping customers lower their energy use, save money and reduce their carbon footprint. In 2024, we expect to see the growth of innovative technologies and pathways that hold great promise for substantial gas savings: Gas absorption heat pumps (GAHPs)GAHPs are not new technology, and are used more widely in Europe, but have recently gained more attention and traction in North America. Like other heat pumps, GAHPs are extremely efficient and exhibit much higher performance than conventional gas equipment, such as boilers. Piloted in some of our programs, GAHPs have proved to be an effective measure for gas savings, particularly as traditional gas-fired boilers and furnaces face increasing baselines. FortisBC, one of our clients, has integrated GAHPs into its commercial portfolio and collaborated with us on a to help educate contractors, commercial businesses and utilities. We are confident that GAHPs will have a strong position in gas energy efficiency programs for years to come. HydrogenMany gas utilities are investing in research and development around hydrogen as both a generation and a local power resource. Blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines could . Addressing significant market changes like these requires a shift in customer expectations, and gas efficiency programs will play a vital role in engaging and educating customers. Fuel transition still rely on propane, kerosene and other delivered fuels for home heating or water heating. The volatile pricing and a shrinking market for installers and servicers pose challenges for these customers, particularly for those in lower income brackets. Propane and home heating oil are, respectively, than natural gas. If able, utilities should quickly transition vulnerable customers away from these higher polluting delivered fuels. While it doesn’t align directly with national goals for electrification, reducing delivered fuels will contribute significantly to overall decarbonization and energy efficiency efforts. Mid-year update: Combined heat and powerAnother measure growing in popularity in gas energy efficiency programs is combin… heat and power (CHP). Also known as cogeneration, CHP is a technology that uses gas to produce electricity but also harnesses the thermal energy created during production to generate steam or hot water for other uses. By not wasting the heat generated from electricity production, CHP systems can be much more efficient than traditional configurations that might have a separate power generation and a boiler to create hot water or steam. This increase in efficiency also helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as less overall fuel is being used to generate power and hot water. CHP has wide-ranging applications in the commercial and industrial space, where it can reduce energy costs, reduce the amount of large equipment a facility needs, and provide a resiliency source of electricity production. Take actionNatural gas utilities and other energy efficiency stakeholders can stay prepared for these shifting trends by:Monitor energy prices: As prices continue to change for multiple fuel options, so will customers' habits. Track pricing trends in your region or territory to ensure that existing plans are pursuing the most cost-effective courses for consumers.Advocate for gas efficiency programs: Some states and municipalities are taking aggressive approaches when it comes to natural gas, with some even banning new gas hookups, pipelines or gas in new construction. In other areas, legislation is being passed to prevent these bans. It is important for utilities to continue to advocate for gas energy efficiency in all regions as a key part of our overall energy transition journey.
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Designing and implementing energy efficiency programs for large commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities can be as complex as the facilities themselves. With potentially millions of dollars’ worth of high-energy use equipment, round-the-clock usage and a trove of data to sift through, the opportunities for energy improvement are numerous… but often difficult or expensive to pinpoint. As technology continues to evolve, these organizations are increasingly looking for innovative approaches to optimize their energy usage and reduce environmental impact. One such technology that is revolutionizing energy management in C&I settings is artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns holds tremendous promise for driving significant improvements in energy efficiency. Let's explore two pilot-ready applications of AI in energy efficiency programs for C&I customers:Chiller plant optimizationCritical facilities such as hospitals, data centers and manufacturing plants depend on sophisticated and complex chiller plants to provide year-round cooling. These high-energy use facilities are a key target for utility programs thanks to significant opportunities for energy savings. But these energy-saving opportunities come with challenges, such as:Hundreds of data points and inputs to monitor to ensure optimal performanceA scarcity of contractors specializing in chiller plant performance optimizationPlant or building operators often have many other responsibilities and equipment to monitorThe need for ongoing fine-tuning and maintenance makes it difficult to generate prolonged energy savings This is where AI and ML can help energy efficiency programs and building managers working with chiller plants. Hard-coded algorithms used in traditional building management systems (BMS) are generally effective, but they are no match for the analytical power of AI. New AI/ML software can quickly analyze the BMS, understand the unique operating characteristics of a site and implement specific operating measures to improve performance. Traditional controls are effective for tackling some optimizations, but AI takes in real-time data of how a specific plant is working and enables optimization actions for its unique characteristics. The system leverages ML to execute optimization actions that are increasingly specific to the site, giving building managers nearly autonomous optimization of their facility. Additionally, the system can learn over time, which improves performance and increases energy savings by continuously optimizing systems. AI/ML software can also provide a proactive approach to chiller plant maintenance. Rather than waiting for something to break, it can track and recognize deteriorating performance and flag it – effectively identifying losses in energy efficiency before it becomes a problem. By continuously monitoring equipment performance and predicting when maintenance is needed, businesses can prevent costly downtime and extend the lifespan of their assets. This AL/ML solution could be a powerful tool for energy programs to offer to these facility operators. On top of enhanced energy and cost savings, it provides these facilities with additional time, insight and peace of mind that their chiller plant is running at maximum efficiency. Energy Performance ProgramsAI technology also holds exciting potential for energy performance or pay-for-performance programs. One of the most important goals of demand-side management programs is to manage the peak demand, so that load can be shifted away from peak hours, reducing the need for additional capacity on the grid. However, programs that target peak demand using manual measurement and verification (M&V) traditionally performed by engineers have high costs to delivery, due to those high labor costs. The challenge is that these programs can be expensive and time-intensive due to the engineering time required to deliver successfully. Now, AI-driven analytics platforms can easily analyze individual building utility meter data to identify savings at the meter, allowing for energy efficiency program designs that are highly automated and able to be delivered at a much lower cost. These AI technology-enabled programs can feature automated participant model creation and program pre-approvals, automated energy savings calculations, and automated payment processes. This approach can provide a high confidence in savings as the solution follows industry best practices for measurement and verification. This analysis provides the ability to target demand savings at specific parts of the day (enabling utilities to target locations and times where the grid is constrained) and ultimately deliver savings at a lower cost relative to traditional energy performance programs due to automation offsetting the high costs of engineering labor. This AI analytics-based approach would be an excellent fit for utility clients with a large portfolio of commercial buildings with hourly utility data. It provides a low-cost, high-accuracy solution for targeting hourly energy savings and peak demand savings, and would be an innovative and cost-effective addition to existing C&I offerings. Looking to the futureThese two examples are just scratching the surface of the energy-saving opportunities AI can help us find in C&I settings. As building technology continues to grow in complexity and we gain more access to data, C&I facilities need better tools to analyze that data and identify solutions that save energy and money. By harnessing the power of AI-driven technologies, utility programs can help fill that gap and help these businesses harness the power of their data, achieve significant energy savings, reduce environmental impact and gain a competitive edge in a sustainability-focused market landscape. As AI continues to evolve and mature, its role in driving energy efficiency innovations is only expected to grow, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. Contact our team of energy experts to learn more about these AI pilot opportunities and other C&I solutions. _______________________ Katie Fotheringham is a Practice Consulting Director for CLEAResult’s Energy Efficiency Practice with a focus on commercial and industrial program designs. Katie has a Master’s degree in Industrial Ecology and over 16 years of experience in energy efficiency programs and innovation that have delivered results for hard-to-reach customers across Canada and the U.S. Katie is a keen follower of futurism and the potential for AI/ML to change how C&I customers use energy.
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As homeowners across the United States await the launch of Home Energy Rebates (HER) programs funded through the, stakeholders are working hard to plan these complex programs and deliver more than $8 billion in energy efficiency incentives. To make the most of this opportunity, states and territories will collaborate with key partners like utilities and statewide energy efficiency programs to apply for these funds and implement the new programs effectively. In Tennessee, our collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has provided valuable experience in this process. TVA, which serves nearly the entire state of Tennessee and parts of neighboring states, has a robust portfolio of energy efficiency programs. Their experience offers useful lessons on delivering HER programs effectively. We spoke with Mandy Faulk, our Senior Program Director working with TVA, to get her thoughts on the ground-level planning and upcoming implementation of these programs.How far along is Tennessee in implementing or planning their IRA programs?Our local CLEAResult team in Nashville has been through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) since early 2023 to plan and strategize for implementing IRA funding. Together with TVA, we have completed draft applications for both the Home Efficiency Rebates and . These drafts have been submitted for final review and approval by TDEC before being submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE). What are the next steps?While we wait for the DOE to approve the applications, we will continue to work closely with TVA and TDEC to ensure readiness for an anticipated launch in early 2025. This additional planning includes:Blueprint plan: A detailed implementation plan required by the DOE that outlines specific strategies for program implementation. This plan is due at least 60 days before the program launch.Technology buildout: Our program and the state already have tools to meet many of the needs of these programs, but we require further changes and integrations to ensure customers and contractors have the best experience and to help us track and report to the DOE.Stakeholder engagement and training: The success of these programs relies on a network of stakeholders, including contractors, community-based organizations, retailers and other partners. We’ve started engaging with these stakeholders to understand their priorities and to start training them on the details and processes they can expect when the IRA programs begin.How does the program’s existing infrastructure complement the upcoming IRA implementation?The IRA program delivery design in Tennessee was modeled after our existing programs, including Home Uplift, which focuses on income-qualified customers, and Residential Services, which is our market-rate program available to everyone. These programs already have infrastructure and processes similar to those required by the new IRA programs. This includes a substantial contractor network to perform installations and income verification to identify qualifying participants. We also have the technology to help "stack" state funding with funding from our existing TVA programs, which will increase incentives for some customers. With our local program team’s experience implementing Home Uplift and Residential Services, it's just a matter of educating all stakeholders on the primary differences in qualifications, processes and program standards to implement the IRA funding. We already have a training team in place to do just that. We will continue business as usual with these two programs through the IRA, leveraging our existing team members and rebates to maximize incentives for all Tennessee residents.What unexpected challenges has your state encountered, and how are you addressing them?The largest barrier is time. Multiple decision makers – including TVA, the state and federal government, and several consulting firms – need to collaborate and agree on every aspect of implementing these large-scale programs. Implementation teams need to understand that there might be a slower rate of acceptance and implementation from the state’s perspective due to competing priorities, contracts and public communication strategies.What recommendations do you have for neighboring states planning to use IRA funding?First, I’d recommend taking any opportunity to integrate IRA funding with existing energy efficiency programs to help improve the customer experience. That also prevents states from having to re-invent the wheel when it comes to program design and infrastructure. I also think it’s important to find a great implementation partner that understands the complexity of delivering programs like the IRA, and start planning as early as possible, since there will inevitably be unexpected roadblocks. Check out the 2023 CLEAResult Energy Forum keynote panel featuring Mandy, TVA and TDEC to get more insight about the planning and collaboration process in Tennessee.
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For years, most energy efficiency programs have relied on the deemed (or modeled) approach to evaluate energy savings from home upgrades. This method uses engineered savings estimates to predict the impact of specific improvements. While deemed savings remain a valuable tool for many programs, a trove of more accessible data, facilitated by advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and other software innovations, now enables utilities and other energy stakeholders to measure the actual realized savings of energy efficiency or energy transition upgrades. This measured approach presents new opportunities for energy programs and is a key component of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Home Energy Rebates programs. Watch our webinar to explore the power of measuring actual savings as program design input. We’ll walk through two compelling use cases, to discover: How measured savings can help utilities pinpoint higher propensity projects and reach aggressive savings goals How the measured path can allow states and territories to maximize program impact of the IRA’s Home Energy Rebates programs Presenters: Todd Miles Market Enablement Director CLEAResult Andy Frank Founder and President Sealed Matt Braman Business Intelligence Director CLEAResult
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently , an ambitious initiative backed by $7 billion in federal grants from the Inflation Reduction Act's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This funding aims to bring clean, renewable energy to over 900,000 low-income and disadvantaged households across the U.S. through residential rooftop, community solar, and higher-end or multi-family solar projects.We commend these 60 states, municipalities, and non-profits for securing this funding to help accelerate renewable energy programs and build an equitable, sustainable future. Understanding the challenges aheadThese projects present a remarkable opportunity for low-income and disadvantaged communities to transform their access to renewable energy. Selectees who act swiftly and strategically will maximize the impact and make the most of Solar for All funding. Here are some key considerations for program design:Interconnectivity with local suppliers and utilities: Coordination with local utilities, suppliers and contractors is crucial for smooth and quick deployment. States can increase participation by coupling their solar rebate programs with existing utility energy efficiency rebate programs. Awardees will also need to facilitate stakeholder inputs and determine how and when to leverage local partnerships.Reaching low-income communities: Participation from low-income and underserved communities will require states to speak to their unique needs. Access to technology, customized marketing tactics, incentives and rebates for participation, and trust with stakeholders (customers, trade allies, suppliers) are key considerations for success. Consider demand-side potential: Focus on reducing ho… energy demand before expanding supply. This approach optimizes funding and maximizes energy savings across communities.Ensure effective allocation of incentives: Strategically design incentive programs that reach and engage target communities to ensure funding has the intended reach with minimal excess. Solutions and opportunitiesWe've compiled strategies to help awardees design programs that efficiently and equitably deploys funds to target communities:Understand regulations and timelines: Review EPA requirements to avoid setbacks or missed deadlines. Create a project timeline that aligns with EPA submission guidelines, ensuring compliance and successful funding allocation.Design a comprehensive program: Clearly outline objectives and milestones in the program plan. Include how you'll use incentives, establish partnerships and identify technology requirements to accelerate solar adoption while engaging stakeholders.Engage communities effectively: Ensure community engagement involves listening to the needs of residents, especially in disadvantaged areas. Facilitate stakeholder involvement to develop strategies that are inclusive and culturally sensitive, building trust and support.Build local partnerships: Develop relationships with local utilities, vendors and suppliers who understand the regional landscape. This network will help navigate interconnectivity and ensure smooth implementation.Implement demand-reduction strategies: Start with energy-saving assessments as part of technical assistance, and consider collaborating with existing weatherization and efficiency programs.Maximize incentive benefits with thoughtful design: Use tools in incentive design to enhance benefits. Strategies may include tiering incentives to target different segments, augmenting incentives with private capital and planning a gradual reduction of incentives over time.Innovate with technology and policy: Pair accelerating solar incentive programs with other technologies and policies for equitable benefits. Consider integrating community solar, solar plus storage and well-conceived net energy metering approaches to future-proof the system.Leverage tailored technology: Use tools for technolog… eligibility checks, data management, analytic…;, and to improve the decision-making process. Analyzing progress data can highlight areas that need adjustments and ensure your program achieves its intended impact. Ready to get started? With over 20 years of experience designing and implementing energy programs for diverse communities, we assist clients in quickly creating a successful and practical program design. We take a customized approach to understanding distinct challenges and create a plan using local expertise for a smooth and successful implementation. Working with states, utilities, and suppliers, we've been successful in coupling solar incentives with energy efficiency rebate programs to increase customer adoption. Thank you for helping build a more sustainable world through solar energy.
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Applications for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebates are rapidly increasing. As these programs drive significant opportunities for energy efficiency across the nation, utilities, partners and homeowners are eagerly following the ongoing developments. Here are the most recent IRA updates and opportunities for stakeholders. New York became the first state to secure funding for IRA Home Energy RebatesOn April 18, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that for its Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program (HEAR). This is the first approved IRA Home Energy Rebates funding application, signaling the start of the implementation phase for these anticipated programs throughout the U.S. New York’s HEAR program will provide income-eligible customers with rebates for energy efficiency improvements like heat pumps, electrical panels and insulation, which will reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills for households. Growing interest in Home Energy Rebates programsAdditional applications for the Home Energy Rebates program continue to emerge. Beyond New York, 11 other states have now applied for at least one of the two IRA Home Energy Rebates programs, and it's anticipated that this number will rise quickly in the coming months. At least 20 other states or territories have requested , which sets aside part of each state's allocation to help with preparation for the full funding application. States have until this August to inform the DOE if they intend to apply for Home Energy Rebates funding, with final applications due by January 31, 2025. March updates to the DOE's IRA program guidanceThe DOE released updates in March to i… ongoing guidance for state energy offices (SEOs) on the application and implementation of IRA energy programs. The following updates provide utilities and consumers with important details on program operations: States must develop plans detailing how they will promote Home Energy Rebates program awareness and participation. Utilities are likely to be key in these efforts as programs launch. This summary contains essential information on Home Energy Rebates, including eligibility, incentives and other key details. The IRA allocates up to $225 million for grants to Tribal governments and Alaska Native entities. Dedicated resources and documentation support their HEAR funding applications, potentially offering up to $14,000 in household upgrades. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7 billion for Solar for All programOn April 22, the EPA intended to create and expand solar programs in low-income and under-resourced communities. This Solar for All program is part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which includes $27 billion in financing for new clean technology deployment and was passed as part of the IRA in 2022. The EPA’s selection of 60 grant recipients kickstarts the development of this initiative, which will seek to install solar on more than 900,000 homes across America, with programs expected to be available in the fall or winter of 2024. This is another exciting announcement for the future of energy efficiency and the energy transition, with particular focus on under-resourced communities and equitable outcomes. Climate tech investments surge by 38% in 2023Fueled by aggressive tax incentives, grants and loans from the IRA and the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. saw a . This represents a nearly 40% increase, largely attributable to the burgeoning EV and battery manufacturing sectors, alongside solar production – industries that have each expanded by over 100% since the IRA's enactment. Data from the Clean Investment Monitor indicates that clean energy investments now comprise 5% of all private investment in structures, equipment and consumer products in the U.S. Visit our Inflation Reduction Act page to learn more about these exciting programs.
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In 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed comprehensive rules mandating that public investor-owned companies report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate risks. That means these businesses need to set up systems to track and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are especially challenging to track as it entails measuring emissions caused by vendors within a company’s supply chain. The SEC received an unprecedented 24,000 public comments from companies mostly concerned about how these rules might affect their operations, profitability and corporate reputations. On March 6 of this year, the SEC released an 886-page final rule document detailing the climate-related disclosure requirements for publicly traded companies. This final rule document is substantially less strict than the original proposal and was shaped by public feedback. We put together the highlights from this document below. Overview of requirements by company sizeAll companies registered with the SEC will be required to report climate risks that they deem "material" to investors—as well as transition plans, goals, and progress in mitigating these risks—during a phase-in period starting in 2025 for large companies and extending through 2027 for smaller firms.Large, accelerated filers (companies with $700 million or more in public shares) must annually report the previous year's "material" Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions starting in 2027. This includes GHG emissions generated onsite at corporate facilities and those resulting from energy purchases from providers such as utilities.Accelerated filers (companies with publicly owned shares between $75 and $700 million) will be required to report their GHG emissions beginning in 2029.Emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies that fall below the $75 million threshold are exempt from reporting their GHG emissions. Key highlights of the final ruleExtended deadlines: Large, accelerated filers have additional time to start reporting climate risks (an extra 2 years) and carbon accounting data (an additional 3 years).Materiality defined: Companies need only report climate risks and emissions information that a "reasonable investor" would deem important for making investment or voting decisions. This offers greater discretion than the initial proposal.Scope 3 emissions disclosures optional: Disclosure of GHG emissions from a company’s upstream and downstream activities and partnerships is not mandatory. These often constitute the bulk of a company’s GHG emissions.Climate risks impact: Firms must disclose the actual or potential impact of climate risks on their strategy, business model, and outlook, as well as resource allocation to mitigate these risks.Fewer details required: The rule removes the necessity to itemize various costs, expenditures, losses, and specific financial statement metrics, permitting companies to report aggregated figures.Flexible reporting: Companies should provide a brief explanation of their emissions calculation methods without being bound to a specific standard or protocol.Governance overview: There is a requirement to outline the board of directors' involvement in overseeing climate-related risk assessments and reporting, but no mandate to report any director’s specific experience or expertise in this area.Renewable energy credits and offsets disclosure: Financial statements should indicate if renewable energy credits and carbon offsets are integral to the company’s climate strategy. Looking aheadSeveral states, industry groups and individual companies have already filed lawsuits alleging that the SEC has exceeded its legal authority by enforcing its final rule requirements on businesses. Environmental groups have also initiated lawsuits, arguing that the final rule omits more comprehensive emissions reporting requirements included in the initial proposal. On March 14, 2024, a federal appellate court issued a temporary stay order, pending judicial review of the final rule. Despite the decisiveness implied by the SEC’s final rule, we expect its reporting requirements to evolve. It is also likely other benchmarks like the GHG Protocol and will change over time as stakeholders work toward a consistent global standard for required disclosures. As we prepare for the final rule's implementation, we advise reviewing the final rule document and consulting with decarbon… experts before filing.
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Ben Matek serves as a Decarbonization Consulting Program Manager at CLEAResult, developing carbon reduction strategies tailored to meet client sustainability goals. Recently, Ben joined the Information Management Network (IMN) on a podcast during the in Nashville. Here he shared his enthusiasm for helping others reduce emissions and offered expert advice for businesses looking to embark on their own decarbonization path. What initial steps can businesses take to begin reducing emissions? Begin with an energy audit: Conducting a comprehensive facility evaluation can establish total energy use and waste, and opportunities for improved efficiency and reducing emissions. Analyze results: Evaluate findings from the energy audit, estimate costs for each opportunity, and develop a decarbonization strategy tailored to your business. Focus on process and equipment modifications aimed at reducing carbon emissions, conserving energy and, ultimately, leading to cost savings. Implement changes: Whether you use internal experts or an expert from CLEAResult, find an implementation partner to execute your decarbonization strategy. Continue to monitor energy savings, emissions reductions and cost savings from your program. What market trends are on your radar this year? Geothermal is having a comeback: More businesses are asking about geothermal and considering it for their properties and industrial processes. Geothermal technologies are a clean source of energy that uses heat from the subsurface to generate electricity or provide direct heating and cooling. While enhanced geothermal, geothermal heating and cooling and heat pump technology has existed for decades, recent advancements and private and federal investment have prompted more companies to consider these applications at their facilities. Businesses are better educated and more motivated to make changes: We are seeing the effects of climate change happening here and now. More businesses consider climate change a material risk and are taking action to mitigate both direct financial risks and the transition risks associated with moving toward a net-zero economy. Reducing carbon emissions is a key tool to mitigate these risks and has the potential to build stronger relationships with clients. The incentives are clear and better aligned than ever before. To listen to the full podcast, visit the IMN episode on Spotify. For more information about CLEAResult’s decarbonization services, link to our Decarbonization & Engineering Services page.
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The Energetics acquisition expands CLEAResult’s Energy Sustainability business and adds federal government consulting practice Austin, TX, Feb. 15, 2024 — Today CLEAResultEnergetics “This strategic acquisition propels CLEAResult to the forefront of the energy sustainability consulting landscape in North America,” said Rich McBee, CLEAResult President and CEO. “This is a terrific move for both companies, as it expands access to new markets and customers seeking industry-leading solutions. The Energetics team will greatly benefit from joining a market-leading, dedicated sustainability business like CLEAResult, with more than 20 years of established expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability. Together, we’ll deliver impact on an even larger scale.” The acquisition of Energetics significantly expands CLEAResult’s consulting capabilities and service offerings while also providing an established practice serving federal government customers. Energetics’ deep understanding of government energy sustainability needs and expertise in navigating energy policy will prove especially valuable in the wake of once-in-a-generation investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These landmark policies will strongly impact both federal and state-level energy programs, and with the addition of the Energetics team, CLEAResult is uniquely positioned to help clients maximize these opportunities. "The Energetics team that clients know and trust will remain unchanged and continue to operate under Joan Pellegrino’s leadership," said Divakar Jandhyala, Chief Product and Technology Officer at CLEAResult. "Clients can count on the same level of expertise, dedication and personalized support they've come to value from Energetics, and will now have access to the industry’s largest number of energy efficiency engineers, program managers and implementation teams. CLEAResult and Energetics will be even better equipped to provide exceptional service with an even wider range of capabilities, talent and resources." About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram About EnergeticsFounded in 1979, Energetics provides a full spectrum of clean energy consulting services to public and private sector clients. Energetics works with lead investors, innovators, and stakeholders to inform and expedite the development and market success of novel energy technologies, strategies and practices that deliver a sustainable future. Energetics is headquartered in Columbia, MD. Explore Energetics at https://www.energetics.com/clearesult@teamsilverlin… Carl Silverline Communications(253) 318 6852
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Are you ready to lower your company’s environmental impact but not sure where to begin? Our Decarbonization guide for small and medium-sized businesses shows you how to:Measure your carbon footprint using data you already haveIdentify and prioritize projectsCreate carbon emission reports for clients, supply chain partners and investors the guide, then contact us to start a conversation about your business with one of our experts. to reach our decarbonization team.
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The year 2024 is set to be a game-changer for energy efficiency. In the US, the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is funneling billions of dollars into state-led energy efficiency programs, while Canada has responded with its own $80 billion CAD clean energy investment plan. This will be the year we begin to reap the benefits of aggressive federal investments that are directing unprecedented sums into lowering energy consumption and costs for homes and businesses. This extraordinary new support is creating tremendous opportunities for states, territories and utilities, but getting complex energy efficiency programs right won’t be easy. Our 2024 Energy Efficiency Outlook Report will dive into the challenges programs are likely to experience and share actionable advice to help overcome them. Our team of experts identified the top energy efficiency trends for 2024:Heat pump adoption will grow, but improving customer education and addressing barriers to entry will be critical.A rise in personalized energy advisory and concierge services will help customers who are “spoiled for choice” take their next – or even first – step. New-and-improved technology will enhance data collection and savings estimates for commercial and industrial (C&I) projects.Greater efforts to break down barriers for low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers will help to cut costs and drive greater participation.In some states and territories, innovations in gas energy efficiency – not just electrification – will contribute significantly to energy reduction goals. CLEAResult clients will receive an in-depth breakdown of these trends and opportunities in our 2024 Energy Efficiency Outlook Report. If you’d like to receive a copy, please contact us.
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We expect 2024 to be a year in which Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebate programs will achieve impressive gains. As funding propels rapid advancements in energy efficiency, states will move forward in planning and implementing these initiatives, while utilities, partners and homeowners closely monitor developments. Here are the most recent IRA developments and opportunities for stakeholders. First state applications are in Last week, four states became the first to officially apply for IRA Home Energy Rebate program funding. California, Hawaii, New Mexico and New York submitted their applications for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) programs, marking the first significant step towards getting these programs up and running in 2024. It's not surprising that the HEAR program is the first to receive applications – its similarities to many existing rebate programs across the country means states can leverage existing infrastructure to get these programs running quickly.The Department of Energy (DOE) will now review their applications, and upon approval, these states will proceed to launch their respective programs. We will watch with interest as several states progress, offering new and exciting incentives specifically targeted at low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers nationwide. You can check the status of other states’ applications on the DOE website.DOE releases updated guidanceAfter releasing the initial guidance in late July, the DOE has revised many of the documents to assist state energy offices in planning and applying for the Home Energy Rebate programs. A new set of updates was shared last week, including:Integrating existing state Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) with the new HEAR programs guide: This integration could potentially provide even greater energy saving and home improvement opportunities for low-income households. As WAP programs are often administered by different state agencies than the energy office, it will require additional coordination and planning.New guidance around energy consumption data access for the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) program: States will need to collaborate with local utilities to gain insight into the energy consumption of participating homes in the HER program to measure the effectiveness of energy saving measures. These resources outline the data needed and how to safely share it and will hopefully prompt additional collaboration between states and utilities as these programs launch.Guidance on leveraging other funding sources: Many programs will look to increase incentive program participation for customers by using other program funding such as WAP or existing utility offerings. This document (below) highlights which funding sources can be “braided” or help support customers as they move forward with upgrades. IRA incentives in the national newsIn early January, Kara Saul Rinaldi, President and CEO of AnnDyl Policy Group and a clean energy policy advocate, was featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday. She discussed how IRA tax credits and rebates will motivate customers to make more energy and climate-conscious choices as they look to upgrade their homes in 2024 and beyond. With the expansion of the 25C tax credit and many state-run rebate programs rolling out later this year, there's never been a better time for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency. As we kick off the new year, we're pleased to see IRA incentives gaining momentum both in the states and in the national media. Listen to the full interview here. New technology platform aimed to maximize IRA programsIn December, we launched CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates, a technology toolkit designed to help state energy offices navigate the IRA’s complex workflows and quickly mobilize to administer its programs as seamlessly as possible. State energy offices will need to address key challenges like verifying income, stacking rebates for customers, integrating with DOE-compliant software and managing a network of partners. Thanks to its prepackaged API integration with the DOE’s national rebate tracker, CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates allows states to tackle these challenges all in one platform. It’s a configurable, end-to-end solution built to adapt to the needs of each state’s implementation.For more on CLEAResult ATLAS IRA™ Home Energy Rebates, check out our full press release or request a demo on our technology page. ________For more news and content, check out our IRA hub and follow us on LinkedIn. We’ll continue to send out periodic updates to keep you informed.
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First things first, Happy New Year everyone! As I look in the rearview mirror, 2023 emerges as a pivotal year for our business and the broader energy efficiency landscape. Sustainability is no longer a yes or a no – in other words, it’s no longer a question of whether it’s a worthy investment. Instead, it’s now a matter of how fast (and how far) to go. We still have a lot of work to do, but that positive momentum is a promising sign that we’re in for an even brighter year ahead. As we kick off the new year, I want to reflect on 2023 and explore the trends that will continue to shape the industry in 2024 and beyond. 2023: A breakout year for the sustainability movementIn addition to the strong double-digit growth we experienced through utilities running their energy efficiency programs, for the first time we saw multiple states and municipalities actively developing and implementing their own programs, with simultaneous engagement from utilities and the federal government through landmark legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We also saw record energy savings and utility bill reductions for millions of customers, driven by the continued proliferation of demand response programs, milestone electric vehicle (EV) usage and more. Collectively, these initiatives are helping to drive shifts toward widespread adoption of more sustainable practices. Energy policy may have taken center stage in 2023, but even before we saw the full force of state and government-funded programs materialize, the industry saw significant positive momentum – our own business saw record growth – highlighting the strength and promise of the energy efficiency sector and setting the stage for accelerated progress in the coming months. 2024 will be the IRA’s time to shineAs I mentioned in a previous post, the IRA will be a marathon, not a sprint. We’re already seeing state energy offices start to mobilize and figure out how to translate the IRA and corresponding guidance from the DOE into a contractable framework. Goals will translate into concrete action this year as federal funding starts to flow. We’re all navigating new territory, and every state has its own set of nuances. State energy offices – many of which have limited administrative capacity – will need substantial resources and support to ensure that every dollar is allocated effectively and everyone can take advantage of the IRA’s home energy efficiency and electrification rebates. Working better togetherThe pace of sustainability efforts varies across states, but the importance of strong collaboration can’t be overstated. Effectively implementing and tailoring programs to local needs will hinge upon strong partnerships between federal agencies, state governments and local communities. Imagine the chaos if, amidst the national rush to participate in IRA programs, these groups fail to communicate effectively. Proactive collaboration will help prevent wasted IRA funding and ensure it reaches those who need it most: income-eligible populations. Increasing heat pump adoptionAll signs point to heat pumps eventually becoming a major factor in the race toward decarbonization. Significant advancements in technology and federal tax credit incentives are driving a recent surge in demand, and public utility commissions (PUCs) are moving full speed ahead to implement heat pump programs. Heat pumps move heat instead of generating it, so they are much more energy efficient than traditional systems like furnaces – even in cold climates – and new and improved ductless systems can be installed with minimal effort. A recent study in Joule measured heat pump performance in low temperatures across three continents, finding that heat pump efficiency was significantly higher than fossil heating and electric-resistance alternatives, even well below 0°C: Average Coefficient of Performance Source: Joule. Heat pump efficiency is measured by the device’s coefficient of performance (COP). For comparison, COP of traditional fossil and electric-resistance systems is 1 or lower. New and existing incentive programs gaining traction in both the U.S. and Canada are also driving the positive momentum. Heat pumps power around 15% of U.S. homes and 7% of Canadian homes today, leaving a huge amount of untapped potential. It’s impossible to overstate the potential impact of heat pumps, but the reality is: it’s a big decision for customers. Successful implementation will depend on addressing barriers to entry as the market grows. That’s where strong customer education comes in. As we continue to design and deliver heat pump programs, we need to meet customers where they are to gain influence and increase market penetration. Promising shifts in consumer mindsetAs the benefits of energy efficiency become increasingly apparent, more individuals and businesses are proactively seeking greener solutions, ultimately driving market demand and greater investments in our sector. We also anticipate substantial technological innovations to play a pivotal role in the energy efficiency landscape in 2024, which I look forward to covering in future blogs. The bottom line is, we’re going to see a record amount of money being put into sustainability programs over the next 3-5 years, and I’m excited by the real opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the planet (which we will all benefit from). With all hands on deck, 2024 promises to be another game-changing year.Thanks for reading!
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Leaders from 198 countries met at Conferences of the Parties (COP28 The final text of the agreement also includes more specific commitments that are highly relevant to businesses’ decarbonization decisions, including:Doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030Tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030Accelerating the use of zero- and low-emission technology Our recommendations for businessesCompanies, as well as governments, should address decarbonization in a methodical manner to save energy and lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here’s our advice on how to proceed:1. Energy efficiency – This should always be considered first in the carbon reduction process to reduce the need for more costly measures. For most businesses, it makes sense to conduct an energy audit to determine which actions should be taken. Many low and no-cost options can be implemented initially to realize immediate savings and build momentum. Planning, prioritizing and scheduling additional measures will optimize savings over time.2. Renewable energy – After addressing improvements to energy efficiency, operations and maintenance, businesses should explore their options for transitioning to clean energy. This may include installing solar, wind or other on-site power generation. For others, switching to a clean energy mix from their energy provider may be the best option.3. Zero- and low-emission technology – Energy efficiency and electrification technologies are making significant strides, so it makes sense to re-evaluate replacement and upgrade decisions regularly based on the latest models available. It is important to look beyond the purchase price of equipment and consider ROI, maintenance and operating costs over the life of a product. Additionally, the improved performance and availability of EV trucks, buses and construction vehicles are making fleet transition appealing to many businesses. The decarbonization solutions listed above are all included in the su… services we offer to maximize energy savings while minimizing GHG emissions at facilities. Additionally, our rebate and incentive management services ensure that businesses are able to take full advantage of funding options available from the Inflation Reduction Act, state energy offices and other sources. ____________________________________ Learn more about our Decarbonization practice.View our .
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Last month, we hosted a webinar on Gas Absorption Heat Pump (GAHP) best practices. This progressive technology is gaining traction in a variety of commercial and residential applications and has become a frequent topic of conversation with our clients. FortisBC and the CLEAResult program team are actively driving the integration of GAHP into energy efficiency programs, and in this webinar, they discussed effective strategies for utilities interested in exploring GAHP in their own programs. Here are the highlights from the conversation: Gas absorption technology is gaining traction in North America.The technology behind GAHPs has been around for over 50 years and started growing in popularity in Europe about a decade ago. There has been a slower adoption in North America, and FortisBC has emerged as the first North American utility to incorporate this measure into its energy efficiency programs. Like other heat pumps, GAHPs can provide both heating and cooling. The main differences are the absence of a compressor and the use of an ammonia-water mix. For a full explanation of how GAHPs work, check out the clip below. Ease of operation and high performance are two primary benefits of GAHPs.Like other heat pumps, GAHPs are extremely efficient and exhibit much higher performance than conventional gas equipment, such as boilers. Additionally, the ammonia-water mix they use has no global warming potential (GWP) or ozone depletion impact. Some GAHPs can also use alternative fuels, like hydrogen, instead of natural gas, making them a more carbon-friendly option compared to other gas heating or cooling solutions. The FortisBC team has received feedback from the market indicating that GAHPs are easier to operate and maintain, which is of course a significant benefit for commercial or industrial customers. GAHPs are now a key part of how FortisBC is helping customers.As many states and territories push for electrification, questions are arising around how gas measures fit into the equation. For FortisBC, GAHPs are just one part of their mission to help customers move toward decarbonization. Electric grid constraints may prevent certain customers from full electrification, but GAHPs are an excellent option to enable many customers to reduce the amount of natural gas they use – and lower their carbon footprint – as infrastructure for electrification continues to be built. GAHPs are a valuable tool for gas utilities to consider as we move toward a more energy-efficient future. FortisBC and CLEAResult have partnered to create a GAHP best practices guide. As the FortisBC team began piloting this technology, they recognized the need for additional education for end-use customers, contractors and other stakeholders. This led to the creation of the Gas Absorption Heat Pump Best Practices Guide, which addresses many of the frequently asked questions from stakeholders. It serves as an excellent resource for prospective GAHP end-users and utilities interested in piloting this technology in their energy efficiency programs. You can view the full Gas Absorption Heat Pumps Best Practices webinar on YouTube and learn more about FortisBC and its programs on the GAHP website.
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AUSTIN, TX, DECEMBER 14, 2023 – CLEAResult, North America’s largest energy efficiency and energy sustainability services provider, has launched CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates – a scalable, user-friendly technology toolkit designed to help state energy offices (SEOs) navigate the complexities of the IRA and quickly mobilize to administer its programs as seamlessly as possible. The $8.8 billion allocated by the IRA for home energy rebate programs will change the way U.S. households use and save energy. To ensure every dollar is used effectively, the Department of Energy (DOE) is requiring states to meet rigorous compliance standards. CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates is essential software offering a seamless integration with the DOE’s national rebate tracker, equipping SEOs with an intuitive, turnkey solution that enables real-time reporting and guides them through complex workflows with ease. CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates also offers several “ready-to-go” capabilities that support the IRA’s objective to bring greater energy efficiency to income-eligible homes and underserved communities. These features help to:Verify income levels using multiple pathways and accelerate the eligibility processSupport dynamic incentive calculations based on income level and/or the percentage of energy savings being modeledMinimize out-of-pocket costs for income-eligible participants through “braiding” – or stacking – of multiple incentive fundsIntegrate seamlessly with DOE-compliant energy modeling software via HPXML file uploads and extractions “SEOs – many of which have limited resources – need an intuitive solution that’s ready-to-go in order to get these pivotal IRA programs off the ground quickly and painlessly,” said Divakar Jandhyala, CLEAResult’s Chief Product and Technology Officer. “This all-in-one solution navigates complex IRA workflow requirements right out of the box, through its first-to-market features and integration with DOE systems.” CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates is the newest addition to CLEAResult’s industry-leading energy efficiency software suite, combining its innovations in automated income verification, partner management and more. CLEAResult’s ongoing commitment to filling critical technology gaps reinforces the company’s role in building a more sustainable world. “We are excited to do what we do best – innovate in energy efficiency. This solution will help maximize the potential of IRA programs and transform our industries’ impact beyond anything we’ve seen before,” says Rich McBee, CLEAResult’s Chief Executive Officer. Discover all the features and benefits of CLEAResult ATLAS™ IRA Home Energy Rebates on clearesult.com. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com Director Corporate Communications
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Gas Absorption Heat Pump (GAHP) technology is quickly growing in popularity as a method to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for institutional, commercial and industrial customers. In 2022, FortisBC became the first North American utility to offer rebates for GAHPs and since then has developed a GAHP Best Practices Guide and other key program learnings on this exciting new technology. Watch our webinar with FortisBC, where you’ll learn more about: FortisBC’s history with GAHPs, from pilot to program Their approach for various market segments Building awareness with facility owners and contractors Key takeaways from FortisBC and CLEAResult’s GAHP Best Practices Guide Presenters include: Saleh Lavaee Program Manager – Commercial & Industrial | Conservation & Energy Management (C&EM) FortisBC Ted Baker Senior Conservation Account Manager CLEAResult Ali Abbas Engineering Manager CLEAResult
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In a Greenbuild webinar we recently sponsored, on The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Decarbonization, our VP of Decarbonization Keri Macklin discussed the role energy efficiency plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some of the main takeaways.Energy efficiency plays a large role in decarbonization.According to a Cost is often cited as an obstacle for implementing energy-saving projects, but research indicates otherwise.In our live webinar poll, nearly 80% of attendees listed upfront costs/budgetary constraints as a primary blocker for project implementation. However, a found that implementation rates at companies remained the same even when no capital investment was required. It also showed that potential cost savings and short payback periods have little effect on whether or not action is taken. Proper planning is key to successful implementation.It is essential to map out a path to completion for energy efficiency projects and secure support from management. Appointing a team leader to champion projects from start to finish is crucial to ensure they receive the attention and follow-through needed. Identifying energy wastes is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint.When people become accustomed to seeing regular processes at work, even seemingly obvious problems can be overlooked. A good place to start is by making repairs, fixing leaks, and turning off equipment that runs or idles unnecessarily. Scheduling an energy audit by a qualified vendor is the best way to optimize energy savings. ___________________ View the full-length Greenbuild webinar below. For more information on our sustainability services, visit our Decarbonization Practice page. If you’d like a copy of the presentation, please contact us.
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As the year comes to an end, we’re reflecting on the ways our industry changed in 2023 and what those changes mean for energy efficiency programs going forward. The excitement and growth in our industry continues to present both new challenges and huge opportunities for utilities, states and other stakeholders looking to shape the future of energy. Here are the top trends from 2023.Energy policy took center stage The energy industry is not always known for rapid change, but the last 12–18 months have seen significant shifts and sweeping legislation that has already made an impact and will continue to do so for at least the next decade. Some of this policy and legislation we saw includes:Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): We would be remiss if we did not start with the single largest piece of legislation impacting energy and climate goals in US history. While the IRA was passed in 2022, it wasn’t until this year when we began to gain clarity on how these billions of IRA dollars will be spent, including guidance from the Department of Energy for states’ home energy rebate programs. Applications to implement these programs have already begun, and we expect many of those focusing on low-and-moderate income customers to begin in 2024. These home energy rebates programs are a central focus for states and utilities, but IRA also includes billions in direct grants to make businesses more energy efficient, as well as aggressive tax credits for homeowners of all incomes. The reach of the IRA will be extraordinary.Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA): In 2007, discussions began among utilities, energy efficiency implementers and lighting manufacturers about the eventual shift in lighting standards, signaling the end of lighting as the most cost-effective measure in most programs. In 2023, this came to pass as EISA enforcement took effect, taking non-compliant bulbs off the shelves and largely removing utilities’ ability to incentivize lighting in their programs. Beyond changing the aisles at Lowe's, this will hugely impact what utilities think about when they design programs. We have been working closely with our electric utility clients to update their approaches to compensate for this change, but it isn’t easy. Heat pump space heating and water heating will cover a large proportion of these lost lighting savings, but the legislation really changes the dynamic of many programs and how customers have typically engaged with utility initiatives.Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG): We are seeing increased momentum around the adoption of GHG savings as a measure of performance for states, municipalities and some utilities. GHG goals usually transcend fuel neutrality restrictions, with more states and utilities becoming open to fuel switching as part of energy efficiency. In certain states, we are now able to promote heat pumps to gas heat customers, where that has not been permitted in the past. This will likely accelerate the shrinking of the delivered fuels market (like oil and propane), as moving a customer away from these fuels can lead to significant incentives. The wider adoption of GHG savings is much more than just a new metric, it is really shifting how we approach energy efficiency. Utilities zoomed in on customer online experienceOver the years, energy efficiency programs have worked to improve the digital experience for utility customers, hoping to emulate companies like Netflix or Zappos to deliver high-quality online customer engagement for services like energy-efficient rebates and home energy assessments. With more than 15% of US retail sales now taking place online, customers expect to easily browse, find and purchase what they need online—as well as getting a bargain and receiving personalized recommendations. Utility customers are no different, so unsurprisingly we’ve seen continued growth in energy efficiency marketplaces where customers can easily research and purchase energy-efficient products and services that include utility discounts, then get them delivered directly to their door, just like they would with Amazon or other ecommerce retailers. As an industry, making sure we continue to be at the forefront of digital engagement is vital to customer satisfaction and successful delivery of programs like the IRA home energy rebates. If your program's digital experience doesn’t meet customer expectations, you will struggle to convert those projects into savings. Homeowner interest in energy costs fueled by macroeconomic trendsUnderstanding and managing energy costs is at the forefront of many homeowners’ minds, as the cost of homeownership keeps rising, more people work from home, and interest in smart devices like thermostats increases. But getting the necessary information to make energy-conscious decisions can be a challenge. Add in demand response programs, solar panels and other energy transition measures with their associated complexities, and it’s easy to see why some customers don’t know where to start. The good news is customer attitudes toward demand response options remain positive, especially as a method to reduce costs. A recent survey from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative showed over 75% of customers are willing to participate in some form of demand response, especially if there is a small bill discount or incentive. As we continue to engage these customers with energy efficiency and energy transition programs, we must ensure that there are clear benefits for utility customers and that customers are aware of and understand all options—especially low-and-moderate income customers who often are less familiar with their local utilities’ program benefits. We are moving in the right direction but can only move as fast as our customers’ understanding and awareness. Stay tuned to CLEAResult Insights for more on how 2023 shaped our energy future.
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Before CLEAResult Intern Jada Higgins returned to college this fall, we asked her a few questions about her experience working here with our decarbonization team. She told us about what she worked on, what she learned and her thoughts about what we can all do to make the planet a better place for her generation. _____________________________________Jada Higgins is currently a senior majoring in environmental policy at Scripps College in Claremont, California. She is on track to graduate this spring with a degree in environmental analysis and a minor in economics. For more information about reducing GHG emissions, visit our Energy Sustainability Services Practice page.
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Smart home devices like smart thermostats, smart plugs and many more have grown in popularity and affordability over the past decade. It is expected that by 2025, such devices will be in approximately 60% of homes. These devices have already made their way into some utility energy programs but there is an opportunity to expand the smart home market into underserved populations who can benefit most from these devices. We talked to Senior Practice Consulting Director Emily Kemper about how adding smart devices to utility programs could help improve program equity and home accessibility. What is the state of smart home devices in energy programs?Right now, this really depends on the device. The smart home devices offering the most potential to save energy and reduce peak demand are smart thermostats and, fortunately for everyone, these are widely available in energy programs across the country. Unfortunately, however, our energy programs have struggled to find room for other smart home devices, like smart plugs, smart bulbs and smart appliances, either because the savings are too difficult to discern or due to other issues, such as usability concerns and technology interoperability. What kind of benefits can these devices bring to customers?Many smart home devices give customers the ability to save energy incrementally either with advanced remote controls, available via smartphone apps, or with built-in energy monitoring that customers can observe and then take action on. However, the benefits I’m most excited about are the ones that can meaningfully improve people’s lives and health. For example, we’ve supported small pilots in which we saw people with disabilities using some smart devices or apps to control appliances, such as grid-enabled ovens, remotely. We’ve also received feedback that some of those customers appreciate how smart speakers offer them the ability to call for help, even if they never have to use this functionality. Such features are conveniences for many people, but if you are experiencing a disability, they can be a safety upgrade, too.Furthermore, we’ve seen smart thermostats and other devices on the market focus more on indoor air quality monitoring, which is an issue that has become especially relevant in recent years as the outdoor air quality has suffered across much of North America due to wildfires. These “non-energy” benefits are, I think, the reason that smart devices have such potential in our programs. What type of customers could be helped most from those non-energy benefits? Many people with disabilities, whether they have limited mobility or are deaf or blind, can benefit from the remote-control capabilities offered by smart devices, enabling them to turn devices such as smart lamps or small appliances on, off, up or down. Smart devices can also offer additional benefits that enhance accessibility, such as voice control, voice alerts or visual alerts for those who are hard of hearing. Smart devices with air quality monitoring or smart air purification devices can help customers who live in areas affected by bad outdoor air due to wildfires or other calamities, but these features can also be a daily matter of health and safety for folks who have respiratory conditions, such as moderate to severe asthma. What should utilities be looking for when designing a program or pilot that includes smart devices?Utilities should consider how to better incorporate non-energy benefits, such as air quality improvements, safety or even comfort, into cost-effectiveness testing or other program valuation calculations, in order to better take advantage of the features that customers want in smart devices. Additional benefits, such as peak load reduction, exist within ecosystems of smart devices that can offer both energy and non-energy benefits, but traditional program incentives and mechanisms are not well-equipped to handle more complexity in both incentivizing benefits and in direct installation. We also think that a lot of potential exists in ecosystems of smart devices, and we recommend direct installation for this very reason, so that our technicians can answer customers’ questions and help them take advantage of all the features that these products offer. Any last thoughts? As much as we are ready to leverage all the benefits that smart home devices bring in existing energy efficiency programs, we are also ready to tackle the next generation of programs that deliver more than just energy savings to customers – for example, how to achieve more peak load shifting. Smart home devices can help us move those programs forward, with their inherent control functionality and ability to change customer behavior. As an industry, we should also be considering how to layer interventions and incentives in programs in order to increase equity, provide climate resilience, and enhance end-user safety and comfort. I’m proud to say that CLEAResult is already investigating how to do that in the most sensible and cost-effective way possible, and smart home devices are a central piece of this much larger puzzle._____________Emily Kemper is an Oregon-state registered architect and building science expert who manages the design and development of new solutions and capabilities at CLEAResult. With 23 years of experience in the building and energy efficiency industries, she leads the team that develops new approaches to changing the way we use energy throughout all of CLEAResult's markets. She is an active member of the residential building industry through her work on state and city zoning and code boards, including serving as the Public Member on the Oregon State Residential and Manufactured Structures Board, which advises the Building Codes Division on new residential code adoption, since 2011. She is also a member of the American Institute of Architects.
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The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 25 state governors, recently announced its plans to introduce a series of incentive programs to decarbonize buildings through electrification and energy efficiency. One driver of this effort is the goal to quadruple the number of heat pump installations in member states by 2030. We sat down with Harrison Grubbs, CLEAResult’s Vice President of Energy Efficiency, to learn more about heat pump technology and what to expect from the upcoming incentive programs. Heat pumps have been around for a long time but are still only found in about 15% of U.S. homes. Why has adoption been so slow?Heat pumps have evolved considerably. For years, they were only suitable in warmer climates with lower heating loads. When temperatures dropped below about 35°F, these heat pumps did not perform well and relied on electric resistance auxiliary heat to compensate for their shortcomings in performance. With extended periods of cold, customers saw significant increases in their electric bill due to the conditions that required the inefficient auxiliary heat. These heat pumps are still widely used and they are effective in warmer climates. In fact, some states in the Southeast have nearly a 40% adoption rate and they have managed heat pump programs for decades. But as heat pump technology has evolved, the ability to operate in colder climates has significantly improved. Additionally, the styles have changed to include ductless systems that can be installed with minimal effort. The efficiency (SEER rating) has continued to increase, meaning customers are heating and cooling with lower operating costs than with older heat pumps! This versatility has driven the recent surge in demand, and heat pumps are now widely considered an invaluable tool in the move toward decarbonization. Given the federal spending that will drive heat pump adoption through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), we are confident that heat pumps are going to become the standard for home conditioning. What types of climates are best suited for heat pumps to run efficiently? Heat pumps can be suitable in all US climates, but the type of heat pump should be chosen specifically for that climate. There is now a distinct classification of heat pumps called cold climate heat pumps. These will be the best choice for those living in New England, for example, but will not be ideal if you live in the Southeast. It is always best to work with an experienced and certified installer to ensure that your system is properly designed for the climate you live in. Do you think that most states will offer direct incentives to businesses and homeowners, or will they go through utilities?Based on the Department of Energy guidance for IRA incentives, states have some flexibility in how they distribute funds to customers. Each state is at a different point in their heat pump journey. In states where there is not a program infrastructure in place, states must design their own programs to deploy the heat pump incentives. As most states are still in the planning process, I expect they are evaluating this exact issue. However, there are some states that already have robust heat pump incentive programs and qualified installation companies. I would suggest that those states use their IRA dollars to amplify their existing programs. In the states where we are actively consulting, we are making recommendations to leverage existing programs, infrastructure and trade ally networks wherever possible, as this will accelerate the speed to market. Besides heat pumps, what other HVAC technologies are you excited about for the future? While I have focused this conversation on heat pump heating and cooling, we should also acknowledge that as heat pump technology has improved, the uses for this technology in other home service applications have expanded. The market for heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) is accelerating rapidly and incentives for HPWHs are built into the IRA. Within utility programs, HPWHs are a great choice for replacing electric resistance water heaters. The IRA also has dedicated funds for heat pump dryers, the latest application for this technology. These appliances are expected to follow the same steep adoption curve we see with heating, cooling and water heating systems. Otherwise, there are a few other technologies that I am excited about:Gas absorption heat pumps: These are gas-fueled heat pumps that are typically more efficient than gas furnaces. We have a few pilots operating in the US and Canada, but see tremendous potential with the technology for natural gas customers.Aeroseal: This is one specific brand that provides a duct sealing solution by using an aerosol spray to seal ducts from the inside. Anyone who has spent time working around duct systems knows how many issues there are with penetrations and careless sealing. This is a scientific approach to minimize duct leakage, which means more conditioned air is getting where it needs to go. ________________Harrison Grubbs brings more than 15 years of industry experience, and over 10 years of residential utility program management to his role CLEAResult. In his role as Vice President of Energy Efficiency, Harrison and his team are responsible for developing, standardizing and sharing best practices across all CLEAResult residential energy efficiency programs. The energy efficiency team ensures that all our work aligns with leading industry best practices, and they are constantly working to optimize the programs we are engaged in by delivering new and innovative solutions and pilot programs. Here is the announcement from the U.S. Climate Alliance on their new commitment to heat pumps. More on heat pumps from Insights:Q&A with YouTuber Matt FerrellThe opportunity for heat pumps in manufactured homes
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BackgroundEnergy audits play a critical role in identifying upgrades to lower energy use, reduce costs and promote sustainability. This is especially true for owners of multifamily properties where energy costs are included with residents’ monthly rent. Property owners are often surprised to find many solutions are as simple as turning down an exhaust fan or auditing utility bills to ensure they are accurate. Ultimately, our energy audits provide companies with valuable and applicable insights, propelling them on the most cost-effective path toward sustainability. During a recent energy audit for a multifamily property client, we identified several issues that will yield substantial energy savings and reduced GHG emissions. The challengeOur client requested an energy audit for a large mixed-use multifamily building on the East Coast. The company was searching for ways to reduce costs, improve energy inefficiencies and lower its carbon footprint.Like many old multifamily structures, the building doesn’t have submetering. Residential rents include estimated electric use, which is calculated by dividing the total utility costs of the building by each unit’s size or square footage. This process doesn’t encourage residents to lower their energy use because they don’t individually benefit from the cost savings.Without a monetary incentive to save energy, many residents were cooling or heating their homes year-round regardless of the temperature outside. To add to the complexity, the structure’s building automation system (BAS) was not performing optimally. Also, there’s a large commercial tenant in the building that uses energy very differently from the residents who live there. Our audit had to account for the different types of space and energy use by all of the tenants. Our solutionOur audit identified several improvements that could significantly reduce energy costs. We recommended adding BAS controls, based on air temperature and the time of year, to prevent HVAC equipment from running when it was not needed. This solution alone will generate significant returns that would allow our client to cover the costs of other energy efficiency improvements. The annual cost savings from installing these controls are estimated to be $123,000.We also found that after a change in the property’s ownership, charges for a ton-hour of district chilled water nearly doubled—even though consumption only increased by about 9%. Our client was able to address and rectify the issue and was reimbursed around $500,000.We also recommended replacing the energy wheel recovery belt in their air handling unit 1 (AHU1), a fix that would cost $6,000 but generate an estimated annual savings of $29,871. Their exhaust fans could be re-commissioned to run at a lower percent capacity, based on a static pressure setpoint, instead of running at 100% continuously. This small setting change will create $33,720 in savings without any upfront costs.The last part of our energy audit process included an assessment of the real estate firm’s rebate and incentive eligibility. It’s crucial to be aware of energy efficiency rebate and incentive programs, as they can significantly reduce upfront costs associated with implementing energy-saving technologies or equipment upgrades. These savings enable companies to invest in additional measures, promoting environmental stewardship and enhancing their reputation as responsible corporate citizens.*one-time savingsEstimated annual savings MeasureSavingsSpace cooling controls$51,723Space heating controls$71,386District chilled water billing reimbursement*$500,000Air handling unit repair$29,871Exhaust fans reset$33,720Total:$686,700Next stepsOur client can confidently implement energy-saving measures that will reduce their expenses, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, now that they’re equipped with in-depth knowledge of our assessment, recommendations and incentive assistance.______________ To learn more about our energy efficiency capabilities, visit our Energy Efficiency Practice page. For more information about our greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction services, visit our Decarbonization Practice page. Go to our Rebate and Incentives Management page for information on how we can lower your upfront costs and streamline the application process.
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Our opening keynote panel at this year’s 2023 CLEAResult Energy Forum addressed one of the biggest topics the energy industry has been focused on over the last year—the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Our panelists—Frank Rapley of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Nola Hastings from the State of Tennessee and Rodney Sobin from the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO), and CLEAResult Program Director Mandy Faulk—discussed the implications of the IRA and how utilities and states can work together to maximize the impact of this historic legislation. Here are some of the top takeaways from our panel: Utilities and existing energy efficiency programs are in a unique position to help state energy offices.State energy offices like Tennessee’s see the IRA as an unprecedented opportunity. But aggressive timelines, the need to design multiple complex programs, and limited resources make navigating the application and implementation processes challenging. The state energy office had successfully partnered with TVA to implement ARRA funding, making them the obvious choice to help Tennessee maximize the impact of the IRA dollars. This follows the Department of Energy’s (DOE) official guidance for IRA programs which “strongly encourages” collaboration between the states and existing utility programs to help streamline the process and improve the customer experience. While the guidance doesn’t go into specifics on the utility-state partnership, TVA and the State of Tennessee are exploring what works best for them. Together, they are leveraging existing contractor networks, building rebate workflows that can accommodate IRA incentives, and identifying areas where braiding funding sources can improve the experience for everyone. The goal is to ensure that the IRA is executed in a way that benefits everyone in the state, including customers, contractors and utilities. The energy industry needs to prioritize workforce development and training. Labor shortages and experienced experts aging out of key trades are a concern for the growing energy efficiency industry. IRA programs will rely heavily on the same worker skillset, further driving the need for workforce development. Even utilities with large existing contractor networks may struggle in rural areas where there are only a handful of servicers to deliver upgrades to homes in need. TVA currently works with a variety of organizations across Tennessee including technical schools and community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide high-level building science or energy efficiency courses—delivering a decade of IRA funding will require even more of that. While the IRA does provide billions of dollars of funding for workforce development, it’s up to the states (with the help of utilities and other entities) to identify those training opportunities and help grow the energy workforce. Find community partners or program advocates to help programs reach under resourced households. Energy efficiency programs are often most beneficial to low- and-moderate income (LMI) households but reaching those customers—especially in rural or hard-to-reach communities like non-English speaking populations—is a challenge. TVA works with a variety of organizations, including federal weatherization assistance programs, Medicaid providers, and CBOs like Central Hispano of East Tennessee to help expand their reach and help educate customers of LMI program offerings. This collaborative approach is necessary to make sure IRA program funding reaches the energy burdened households it was intended for. This is a great opportunity for states and utilities to leverage existing relationships and develop co-marketing initiatives to underserved populations that ensure IRA programs reach their intended audience. The time for action and collaboration is now.With the DOE’s application guidance in hand, most states are officially formulating their plans for the IRA’s home energy rebate programs. Frank Rapley of TVA strongly encouraged utilities to reach out to their state energy offices now, if they haven’t already. Many states have little to no experience running energy programs and will welcome the collaboration, experience and resources that utilities can provide to ensure these programs maximize their impact. This is an exciting time for the energy efficiency industry and opening these lines of communication between states, utilities, public utility commissions, contractors and more will help guarantee the IRA is truly the landmark piece of legislation it was designed to be. The full session, Driving IRA Success Through Collaboration, can be viewed below. Stay tuned for more content and takeaways from the 2023 CLEAResult Energy Forum.
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The 2023 CLEAResult Energy Forum Conference featured some of the top minds in our industry, and our decarbonization breakout session was no exception. Jeanette Staden of OG&E and organizational change. They shared their experience and advice on promoting engagement among leadership and employees, as well as tips to enhance energy savings and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Here is what you need to know:Take a holistic view of energy managementMoving beyond isolated, project-based thinking is critical to make substantial strides in reducing energy use and your business’ carbon footprint. SEM, also referred to as Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI), is a high-touch, multifaceted approach to lowering energy use by identifying, prioritizing and implementing operational and behavioral changes. Organizations should designate an internal energy team to manage the process and instill a cultural shift in attitudes about decreasing energy use.Internal engagement is keyIn addition to making equipment and operational changes, implementing an effective SEM program requires an engaged workforce. From the outset, it is essential to obtain commitment from leadership and active involvement from employees for optimal results. Spend some time incorporating strategies such as contests and group activities to motivate teams and encourage participation. Ensuring everyone understands the overall goal of reducing energy use and GHG emissions will make communication more effective during the process.Layer in demand-side managementAdditional savings can be realized by incorporating Integrated Demand Side Management (IDSM). This strategy focuses on how and when energy can be used most effectively through a combination of approaches like energy conservation, renewable energy solutions and automated energy management systems. IDSM not only helps businesses further trim energy costs, it also plays a key role in bolstering the overall reliability of the electrical grid. Data from the measures employed should be reviewed regularly, so adjustments can be made to ensure everything works together harmoniously and efficiently.Win over skeptics by speaking their languageAn audience member asked how to enroll organizations that are resistant to these types of changes. Here are some tips to help get people on board: Use language and concepts that are familiar to your specific audience. For example, when introducing energy-saving strategies to a manufacturing company, communicate using terminology that its people already understand -- such as “continuous improvement” and “quality control.” Lay out a structured approach for reducing energy use and GHG emissions, so employees can better understand the plan. Tie energy-saving strategies to cost savings – a concept everyone can understand – and share projections.In summary, SEM is a comprehensive method of strategically integrating various measures over time to optimize the efficiency of energy-saving projects. Management can accomplish its energy goals by sharing them with the organization, then incorporating training to align employee behavior with the goals. Organizations should regularly monitor the effectiveness of their energy-saving measures and make adjustments as needed to optimize results.
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This summer, we hosted some of the energy efficiency industry’s brightest thought leaders in Austin, Texas for the 2023 CLEAResult Energy Forum. One of the highlights was the session on Sustainable Diverse Partnerships, where we explored how utilities and implementers can work with their diverse partners and subcontractors to overcome barriers and open doors to new audiences and program opportunities. Joining our Director of Supplier Diversity, Sylvester Johnson and Program Director Brooke Landon were Tracy Scott from Energy Trust of Oregon and Patricia Watts from FCI Management who shared their unique perspectives and experience. Here are our top takeaways from this session: There is a growing need for diverse partners to help utility programs reach under-resourced communities. For years, utilities have relied on their market-rate programs to bring in significant energy savings. With shifting baselines and greater equity awareness, many portfolios are expanding their program outreach to include more low-and-moderate income (LMI) households and hard-to-reach markets. To be successful, utilities need implementers, subcontractors, and partners who know these communities to establish trust and deliver effectively. During the session, Tracy Scott discussed Energy Trust’s requirement that diverse businesses make up a portion of their subcontractor portfolio. This requirement helps ensure that communities are served by partners and subcontractors who are familiar with their specific needs and challenges and brings new ideas and perspectives to the program. While this requirement is only a few years old, they already have seen doors open to under-resourced communities because of their diverse partnerships. For example, a small community in rural Oregon had only 10 participants in their business lighting program. With the help of some local expertise and partners, ETO rolled out a lighting blitz in that community resulting in 42 projects in one campaign. The power of local, diverse expertise can pay huge dividends in communities where programs have historically struggled. Some partners face barriers that can limit growth and partnership opportunities. Many minority-owned or women-owned businesses that partner with utility programs face the typical challenges of being a small business, including access to capital and competing for talent. Oftentimes, these businesses may only have a small staff and a regional or local focus which makes scaling up or supporting programs in another part of the country seem daunting. Additionally, some programs have insurance requirements that may be completely out of reach for these businesses making it difficult for them to partner with large utility programs. Utilities and energy efficiency implementers need to be willing to not just understand these barriers, but actively remove them and work closely with these partners to understand where they can succeed and how to help their business grow.Helping partners overcome barriers starts with program design. Many utilities’ energy efficiency programs have grown in popularity and reach over the last decade, and with that growth comes complexity that can make it difficult for small businesses to navigate. Understanding where your program design can be simplified or where your delivery plan has gaps helps a wider range of partners to participate. This simplification can start even at the proposal level. Streamlining proposal requirements so partners don’t spend valuable time duplicating efforts from previously submitted RFPs allows them to focus on their core work and driving results. Bringing these diverse partners and their unique insights early into the proposal process can help shape your delivery strategy to new or hard-to-reach markets instead of having to experiment or pivot after the program has launched. The key to maximizing partner impact, and eventually program success, is understanding what gaps your programs may have, where your potential partners excel, and matching those together early in the process. Growing the next generation of diverse partners takes an intentional effort. Outside of program design, there are many ways utilities and other industry stakeholders can help diversify our industry and help small companies grow. While there is no silver bullet to remove every obstacle, reducing financial barriers, like simplifying insurance requirements, and giving suppliers favorable payment terms to empower diverse partners. Mentorship and workforce development are also key. Many businesses may have the technical know-how and motivation to become major players but lack the experience and opportunity. Providing program opportunities that allow partners to thoughtfully scale their business and gain valuable expertise can deepen relationships and help set them up for future success. Lastly, working with advocacy organizations like the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBENC) can help identify opportunities, new partners and give insight into what the industry needs. Watch the full session, Sustainable Diverse Partnerships, on YouTube and stay tuned for more content from the 2023 CLEAResult Energy Forum.
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Transitioning facilities to electric sources has contributed to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Over the last few years, we've watched our building electrification projects expand alongside an increased focus on sustainability. This has involved teaming up with utilities, partnering directly with consumers, collaborating with municipalities and more. Here are some ways our clients are transitioning to electric systems and reducing their environmental impact.Powering Efficiency Maine's decarbonization evolutionWe're collaborating with Efficiency Maine to provide installation discounts for heat pump water heaters (HPWH). This program offers midstream incentives for eligible products as well as downstream rebates. It also includes a diverse array of retail, distributor, and manufacturer partners, in addition to comprehensive management, implementation and administrative services. This program also offers two additional programs aimed at helping households switch to more energy-efficient water heaters. The first program is designed for low-to-moderate income (LMI) households and installs free HPWH units to eligible residents. The second program, a residential market-based initiative, collaborates with a network of almost 1,000 independent trade partners to boost program involvement. These HPWH programs have yielded impressive results in advancing overall sustainability throughout the state. As of August 2022, we've successfully installed 53,000 units for income-qualified residential homes, making it one of the most successful HPWH programs in the nation. Direct-to-customer: Bringing sustainability to the tech industry In California We are currently collaborating with a Fortune 500 technology industry leader on a building electrification initiative at their San Jose campus. This project involves substantial renovations to the building's hot water piping system, assessment of the hot water usage in their commercial kitchen, as well as the installation of heat recovery chillers and heat pump water heaters. When complete, we will have reduced this building's Scope 1, or direct, emissions by more than 95%. In Colorado During the past year, we successfully developed an electrification roadmap for another tech giant's campus in Colorado Springs, CO. We calculated the construction costs for seven unique building electrification projects to identify the associated benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and related direct expenses. Once these projects are realized, all Scope 1 emissions on this campus will be eliminated. We are currently in the final stages of preparing engineering and construction documents for the initial three projects - connecting the heating hot water piping between two campus buildings, installing two electric boilers, and implementing a heat recovery chiller. Municipalities: Upgrading the coast of Silicon ValleyWe've partnered with a major city in California to provide guidance and support to households looking to improve their home's energy efficiency. As leading energy efficiency consultants, our focus is on improving people's home comfort, indoor air quality and reducing energy use overall. We also help households in planning home upgrades by offering insights into insulation, appliance age and other potential upgrades. What’s more, we’re supporting the city by: Conducting various comprehensive energy assessments for the city (both in-person visits and virtual assessments), in addition to exploring electrification options.Providing diagnostics that help households identify the most effective paths for upgrades through proprietary technology tools.Offering discounted options and helping homeowners access rebates for installing heat pump water heaters in close collaboration with the city.Our objective aligns with the city's goals – making sure everyone has access to a range of affordable resources to make their homes more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. Building electrificationWe’re thrilled to see the building and facility electrification trend continue to grow and excited to see the impact our work with partners and clients will have on reducing GHG emissions. to discuss how our energy efficiency consultants can bring greater sustainability to your facilities.
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Money from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is one step closer to reaching people in every state. On July 27, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released guidance for the IRA’s two home energy rebate programs—the Home Efficiency Rebates Program (previously HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (previously HEEHRA)—which means states and territories can now apply for their slice of the $8.5 billion pie.It will take states and territories some time to plan, but the new guidelines and application requirements give us a glimpse of what people can expect, and most importantly, when.Will energy efficiency and electrification rebates from the IRA be available in 2023?That’s the goal, however program launch dates will vary from place to place. These programs are complex, but the DOE’s guidance gives states and territories everything they need to move quickly and make participation as easy as possible. This includes a quick start program that lets states and territories who plan to launch in 2023 apply for up to 25% of their allocated funding.Areas with existing utility or state-wide energy efficiency programs may be more likely to rapidly roll out new rebate opportunities, and the DOE noted that quick start programs would be prioritized. This process should lead to more people seeing the benefits of the IRA before the end of the year.Will home energy rebates be taxable income?People who save on energy efficiency or electrification upgrades with rebates from an IRA-funded program will not be required to report the value of the rebate as income. Rebates you receive through programs funded by the IRA will be treated as a reduction of the purchase price of the upgrade or cost of the project. Are projects already underway now eligible for more savings? No, only projects started after the state or territory receives its grant award or authorization for its IRA program launch are eligible for rebates. Update (10/13): The DOE released new updates to the guidance that mention rebates on projects that “are initiated on or after August 16, 2022.” While we don’t have clarity yet on how states will navigate these retroactive rebates, it is potentially notable for those customers who have started or completed projects in the last year. Projects that began after January 1, 2023, may also be eligible for federal tax credit savings. Can my household get an IRA rebate and take advantage of federal tax credits?At the start of 2023, several home energy tax credits became available for consumers. This includes the Energy Efficiency Improvement Credit, often referred to as the 25C tax credit, that can save you 30% on qualifying upgrades. Many of these upgrades also qualify for IRA rebates, and the new guidance clears up the confusion on how they can be used together. People who receive IRA rebates for improvements like heat pumps or insulation that are also eligible for the federal tax credit can still claim the credit after reducing the amount provided from the rebate. For example, if your household upgrades to a qualifying heat pump water heater for a total cost of $3,000 and you receive a $1500 IRA rebate for 50% of the cost, then the 30% federal tax credit is calculated on the remaining $1500, which could result in a $450 tax credit. In this example, your household could save a total of $1950 for an upgrade that will help you use less energy for years to come. For more a better look at how much your household could save, head to the DOE’s Energy Savings Hub or dive into our blog with even more examples. Are electrification rebates only available if you’re replacing a non-electric appliance?That is partially true, but there is nuance in the new guidance—especially for people purchasing heat pumps for the first time. To receive electrification rebates, a project must meet the definition of a Qualified Electrification Project (QEP) and follow these three requirements: 1. A QEP includes the purchase and installation of the following upgrades:Electric heat pump water heaterElectric heat pump for space heating and coolingElectric stove, cooktop, range, or ovenElectric heat pump clothes dryerElectric load service centerInsulationAir sealing and materials to improve ventilationElectric wiring 2. The purchase must fall under one of these categories:As part of new constructionTo replace a non-electric applianceA first-time purchase of a heat pump for space conditioning that is installed as the primary heating and cooling provider for the household The “first-time” requirement can vary depending on the type of appliance or equipment replaced. For example, a heat pump water heater upgrade that replaces an electric resistance water heater for the first time is allowed. However, you could not replace an existing air source heat pump used for heating and cooling with a new product under these guidelines. 3. The appliance must be installed in a qualifying single-family home or multifamily buildingWill a home energy audit or assessment be required on all projects?We always recommend completing a home energy assessment as the first step toward lowering your energy use, and it is required in some form to receive most, but not all, rebates funded by the IRA. If your project qualifies under the Home Efficiency Rebates Program, a home assessment is required to receive rebates. For projects that fall under the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program, a limited home assessment is only required for the installation of certain upgrades, including electric heat pumps for space heating and cooling.How will this impact my utility’s energy efficiency program?States and territories are strongly encouraged to collaborate with utilities and coordinate with existing home energy rebate programs, however it is not required. For a closer look into what the new guidelines mean for states and utilities, check out our other blog on the topic.
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On July 27, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) two home energy rebate programs—the Home Efficiency Rebates Program (previously HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (previously HEEHRA). This signals the beginning of the application process for states and territories and is an exciting milestone for households interested in energy efficiency and electrification upgrades across the country. The new guidelines and application requirements aim to make these programs easy for people to participate in, provide opportunities for states to begin programs as soon as this year, and strongly encourage collaboration between these new initiatives and existing utility programs. It will take time for states and territories to develop their plans and apply, but with this guidance in place, we are one step closer to billions of dollars of home energy rebates reaching people in every state. When are applications expected to begin and what’s included?The application process is complex, and it will likely be several weeks or months before many states and territories are ready to submit their program applications for DOE approval. The list of requirements applicants must address is large, including 78 items for the Home Efficiency Rebates Program and 64 for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program. Certain items can be deferred and addressed in the State Implementation Blueprint, which must be submitted after the award is given and at least 60 days before the planned program launch. What are some of the required parts of the application?States or territories are required to submit applications for both the home efficiency and electrification and appliance rebates programs. The full application checklist can be found here, but some key parts include: Use of funds and rebate eligibilityConsumer experienceMaximizing rebate impactEstimate of required administrative funds (not to exceed 20% of allocation)Definition of disadvantaged communities and income verification planCommunity Benefits PlanPrivacy and Security Risk AssessmentEducation And Outreach StrategyMeasured or modeled savings approachMeasurement and verificationConsumer Protection PlanUtility Data Access PlanMarket Transformation Plan (within the first year)Integration with existing programs or funding sourcesWhat is the deadline for states and territories to apply?The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025. States or territories must provide notice of their intent to apply by August 16, 2024, otherwise their allocation will be redistributed to other State Energy Offices that applied for funding. When will the states get their funding, and how long do they have to spend it?States and territories can apply to one or both of the IRA’s home energy rebate programs and will receive funding once the DOE approves their plans. Programs will be available until the funds are used entirely or September 30, 2031, whichever comes first. Energy offices must submit a separate application for each program and will receive 25% of their allocated funds once their program application is approved. For example, if Georgia applies for the Home Efficiency Rebates Program and the plan is approved, the state would receive $27 million of its $109 million allocation to start getting into people’s hands. The remainder of the funds are released as other various plan elements that are submitted later are approved, such as the State Implementation Blueprint, Market Transformation Plan, and Privacy and Security Assessment. What is a quick start program?Quick Start Programs are one of the most exciting opportunities in the guidance. A Quick Start Program lets states and territories who plan to launch their home energy rebate program in 2023 apply for up to 25% of their funding allocation. These applications will be prioritized for approvals by the DOE and are intended for states and territories that plan to use existing programs in the area to rapidly launch the new IRA rebates. States or territories with robust utility or state-wide energy efficiency programs may already be better positioned to deliver people savings before the end of 2023. Some states, like Wisconsin, have already committed to using their existing Focus on Energy program to implement the IRA home energy rebates which will make it easier to apply and get approval for up to 25% of the state’s more than $149 million allocation. If they apply for the full 25% from both programs, that means households in Wisconsin could have access to over $37.3 million in home energy rebates this year. How will these new programs verify customer eligibility?To verify that households are eligible for rebates intended for low-income (80% of AMI) or moderate-income (80-150% of AMI), state programs can choose between several verification options. Traditional income documentation, such as a Form 1040, is one option. However, states will also be able to lean on recognized programs that people in these within these income levels may already rely on for government assistance. Recognized programs include SNAP, Medicaid, as well as existing state-run energy programs such as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This is excellent news for program implementers and their communities as it will remove barriers and make it far easier to speed up rebate delivery to those who need it most.What opportunities does the new guidance create for state and utility collaboration?The guidance strongly encourages states to collaborate with utilities and their existing energy efficiency, but it does not specifically require it. One section, for example, encourages states to allow for effective combinations of various funding sources and establish partnerships with organizations, including utilities, that already work with under-resourced households. Existing utility program infrastructure, such as branding and outreach, qualified contractor networks, and rebate delivery should be strongly considered when developing an application. This is especially important for states and territories who want to launch in 2023 with a quick start program. Partnering or working closely with utility programs—many of which have served customers for decades—will allow new home energy rebate programs to go to market faster and reduce confusion for customers. Additionally, the guidance includes detailed instructions for how state programs can work with utilities to access consumer energy usage records such as historical energy use that is required to create accurate savings models. Data sharing will be hugely important to these programs’ success, but it is only one example of how utilities and states or territories can help each other maximize the impact of this new funding. How can households take advantage of these programs?The guidance includes a comprehensive blueprint for states and territories to plan and implement these new programs, as well as many insights into how customers will benefit from them. For more on what these programs will look like for the households they’re intended to serve, check out our blog, What the IRA guidance means for households.
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One of the services we offer is rebate and incentive management. Finding which project incentives are available and properly completing the necessary paperwork can be difficult for clients, since programs are often offered by separate entities with different terms and conditions. We asked CLEAResult National Accounts Senior Manager Dan Cote to explain. What rebate and incentive management services are available and who are they for?These services are for contractors, service providers and end-use customers in commercial and industrial sectors. It allows them to take advantage of federal, state and utility-sponsored incentives for energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization projects with minimal effort. They can avoid the time and effort needed to fill out applications and interface with multiple program implementers. How can businesses benefit?Some businesses may not be aware of the number of incentives available for qualified projects, while others choose not to pursue the incentives because of the level of effort required to submit the applications. These projects help businesses save money over time by reducing their energy costs, but unfortunately some businesses forgo improvements because of their upfront costs or long payback timelines. Our rebate management services ensure that businesses: Get the incentives they are eligible for with little effort on their end. Improve their ROI by shortening the payback period. Put more money back into their pockets to reinvest in their business. How do we help companies take advantage of these benefits?As the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America, we are uniquely positioned to have visibility into, and expertise with incentive applications across a broad range of measures and project types. These applications can sometimes have significant engineering requirements and be very time consuming to complete. We take on that responsibility so business owners can spend their time running their business without worrying about incentive applications. We take a consultative approach with each of our customers, ensuring they are aware of all of the incentive options, requirements and timelines associated with each type of application, then prioritizing the applications we pursue based on these factors. Who offers incentives to businesses for saving energy?Incentives for projects can be available from your local electric or gas utility, state or local government, as well as the federal government. The type and amount of incentive will vary depending on the type of project you’re implementing and the incentive funding source. In some instances, incentives from multiple sources can be combined; however, there are also instances where receiving an incentive from one source will disqualify you from receiving an incentive from another source. This is why it’s important to do your research and apply for the incentive that makes the most sense for your project. How long does it usually take for clients to receive payments?The timeline for incentive payments can vary, based on the type of project and the source of the incentive funds. Most incentives for projects that are part of a utility energy efficiency program are paid within six weeks of the project completion and receipt of final incentive application paperwork. Incentive payments for projects that require Measurement & Verification (M&V) of energy savings can take longer, depending on the amount of time needed to verify the energy savings. Some programs pay incentives over time based on the actual savings realized at the meter.While incentive payment timelines can vary greatly based on the project and incentive funding source, there are a couple of steps you can take to reduce the amount of time it will take to process your incentive application: Provide the necessary project documentation in a timely manner (W9, pre-approval forms, project scoping documents, project invoices, etc.). Be responsive to the program communications. What are some next steps companies can take to get started?1. Start setting aside funds to invest in capital improvement projects that will help you reduce your energy costs over time. 2. Identify areas of your business that you think could benefit from energy-saving capital improvement projects, from simple to complex. If you need help identifying project opportunities, we can conduct an audit of your facilities to help you pinpoint the projects that will have the greatest ROI. 3. Start researching the incentive options that are available for the types of projects you’re planning. If the requirements and timelines seem too complex or overwhelming, don’t worry--we’re here to help! _____________For more rebate information, visit our Rebate & Incentive Management Program web page. Questions? Contact us and select “general inquiry” on the type-of-message pulldown to reach our Rebate and Incentive Management team.
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Summer’s here, and demand challenges are back on every energy provider’s mind. People typically use the most electricity this time of year. In fact, on some state’s hottest days, air conditioning can account for more than 70% of peak residential demand. Utilities prepare for this challenge every summer, but risks of supply shortages during extreme heat events are becoming more common in nearly every region of the country due to climate change. We can all play a more active role in the way we use energy to meet the challenge of growing demand and keep people safe as the summers get hotter, especially as we continue the transition to more renewable energy. As we know, energy efficiency is essential to reducing demand across the board. That’s step one. The next fundamental pillar for lowering energy use is demand response, particularly when periods of peak energy use overlap with extreme weather in both summer and winter. When the electric grid is stressed for an extended period or during an emergency event, energy providers face tough choices for their communities. They can add capacity by turning on reserved fossil fuel power plants that often cost the most to operate and produce the highest levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, this is not as easy as flipping a switch. It takes time, staff and in many cases, means generating more supply than is necessary. The other option is to reduce demand by temporarily shutting off power to some areas of their community. These power outages cause major safety concerns, especially under conditions of extreme heat or cold. For people who experience food insecurity or require the use of medical devices, food spoilage or lack of power for their devices due to outages can quickly become life threatening. The best option that utilities and local or state governments have is to ask everyone in their community to contribute by voluntarily trimming energy use during times of peak demand. These initiatives or programs are called demand response, and participation can make a significant difference in times of crisis. The power of participation During last September’s extreme heat wave in California, the state’s Independent System Operator (ISO) encouraged customers to use less energy many times by posting a call to action on social media and sending notifications to folks who signed up to receive alerts. Many people responded to the call and came through with about 1,000 megawatts of demand savings. This made a big difference, but the heat intensified, and demand reached a record-high load of 52,061 megawatts. The ISO declared a level 3 Energy Emergency and notified utilities to prepare for rotating outages. In a final effort to avoid the blackouts, the Governor sent an emergency text alert asking about 27 million Californians in the affected area to immediately conserve energy. Once again, people stepped up. This time, over a 30 minute period, they reduced demand by 2,000–2,500 megawatts and ensured no one in their community experienced a power outage. One small setting change on a thermostat of two to three degrees can contribute significant demand savings during these peak times, and participants will barely experience the difference. A small discomfort when compared to a power outage. Even better is when people enroll in a utility’s demand response program ahead of time and enable these small adjustments to happen automatically. Many utilities offer rewards-based programs that pay people for proactively participating in demand response events. You may see programs advertising free smart thermostats or large rebates on other connected devices like hot water heaters in exchange for your participation. These devices make demand response faster and easier to manage. Plus, by saving energy they also reduce energy bills. CLEAResult has delivered and installed hundreds of thousands of devices to people’s homes on behalf of our utility clients. The most common reason people don’t participate is lack of awareness or distrust because the offer sounds too good to be true. “Why would my energy provider pay me to save money and use less energy? What’s in it for them?” The answer lies at the heart of a utility’s primary purpose—to deliver safe, reliable energy 24/7. Taking action together, as fast as possible While demand response helps people and utilities react to peak energy use, homes and businesses are also adding more on-site generation and storage that increase the grid’s available energy supply. These technologies are part of a broader category known as distributed energy resources, and their growing adoption is already making an impact. The New England ISO’s new 10-year forecast shows that the increased adoption of energy efficiency solutions and solar power has led to 20% of today’s total system capacity being provided by distributed energy resources. That’s an amazing accomplishment for these utility-led efficiency programs and the communities they serve. Energy efficiency alone is projected to save the region more than 11,500 GWh in 2023. These savings are significant, and demand response is how we can all help bridge the supply gap as annual electricity demand is expected to grow by an average of 2.3% over the next 10 years. Getting people ready for energy’s next decade is about growing participation in these key programs as fast as possible. The technology is available to automate the process, but people have to participate for the programs to work. Your voice matters! Beyond participating in these programs, another step we can all take is to spread the word. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA recently released new research that looked at over 400 studies on how best to shift people’s behaviors toward more sustainable choices. Social comparison, as it turns out, is the best way to motivate people to make a change. Financial incentives, like those used in rewards-based demand response programs, followed close behind. Is there a heat wave coming your way? Talk to your friends and coworkers about how you’re planning to lower your thermostat and help out. Businesses can spread the word through companywide emails or meetings that encourage energy conservation. Those seemingly unimportant conversations can have a huge impact on shifting people’s mindset on how they use energy. The bottom line is that being an advocate matters, and all our efforts add up. Demand response doesn’t change people’s reliance on the grid, but it does give people a meaningful way to contribute to its reliability. By making program participation easy and connecting the dots between grid reliability and sustainability, everyone can get involved and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can save our planet and one another from the dangers of climate change. Stay safe this summer and enjoy those sunny days. There’s a whole lot of positive momentum, and I’m excited for what we can achieve together in energy’s next decade. Thank you for reading, Rich
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Our full webinar, Exploring School Energy Journeys, is now available to view. We were happy to be joined by OG&E and Mustang Public Schools to discuss: Mustang's journey through multiple energy efficiency and energy transition programsBarriers and benefits to participation for schoolsHow other schools can get started on their own energy journey You can now view the full webinar below.
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Ohio Hospital Association’s Statewide Energy & Sustainability Program Partners with CLEAResult to Improve Health Through Environmental StewardshipAustin, TX (June 26, 2023)—The Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) has partnered with CLEAResult, America’s largest energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions provider, to bring Ohio hospitals greater access to sustainability solutions through two services—Energy Procurement and ENERGY STAR® Benchmarking and Certification. The partnership expands OHA’s Statewide Energy & Sustainability Program by offering members expert guidance on how to start or advance their facilities’ sustainability goals. “OHA is committed to helping Ohio hospitals optimize their operations and reduce their energy use,” said Mike Abrams, OHA president and CEO. “Hospitals utilize sustainability and energy efficiency projects to reduce their utility costs, improve their environmental footprint, and reinvest savings into their communities. In 2022, participating member hospitals achieved $11.9 million in utility cost savings from our energy and sustainability program’s services.” Healthcare facilities are the second most energy-intensive building type in the country according to the U.S. Department of Energy, accounting for about 10% of total commercial building energy use. ENERGY STAR benchmarking and energy procurement services will help Ohio hospitals measure their current systems and take proactive steps to reduce their environmental impact and operating costs. Beginning with an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency partnership in the 1990s, OHA embarked on a statewide initiative to assist hospitals with pollution prevention and waste reduction. Today, OHA’s Energy & Sustainability Program is an award-winning, nationally recognized model that supports Ohio hospitals’ health care missions by offering guidance on cost-effective sustainability improvements, educational events, advocacy and more. CLEAResultdecarbonization team provides Carbon Consulting, Strategic Energy Management services and more to help organizations of all sizes plan and implement sustainability solutions that best fit their needs. “Hospitals use nearly three times more energy than the average commercial building,” CLEAResult’s Vice President of Decarbonization Keri Macklin emphasized. “Energy efficiency and other decarbonization efforts lower these costs, reduce carbon emissions and improve public health for all Ohio communities.” There are already 142 OHA member hospitals participating in ENERGY STAR Benchmarking and 21 members using CLEAResult’s Energy Procurement services. In 2022, Ohio had 19 ENERGY STAR certified hospitals—the most in the country—these new services aim to help the state maintain its lead. “Our Program continues to evolve to meet the needs of our membership,” said Kevin Zacharyasz, OHA Director of Energy & Sustainability Program. “We have now expanded the program to look holistically at not only energy but sustainability initiatives as well. One focus of the program is to explore the correlation between health impacts and the environment where we live. We want to ensure that the communities in which our member hospitals serve have access to healthy water, air, and land leading to an overall healthy Ohio.” OHA’s member-led Environmental Leadership Council will also work alongside CLEAResult to provide additional guidance and leadership for Ohio hospitals’ and health systems’ efforts to improve environmental stewardship, equity and overall health and wellness in the state. About OHAEstablished in 1915, OHA represents 246 hospitals and 15 health systems throughout Ohio that employ 430,000 Ohioans and contribute $91.7 billion to Ohio’s economy along with $7.8 billion in net community benefit. OHA is the nation’s first state hospital association and is recognized nationally for our patient safety and health care quality initiatives and environmental sustainability programs. OHA website: www.ohiohospitals.org. John Palmer Director of Media and Public Relations john.palmer@ohiohospitals.org About CLEAResultCLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services solutions in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts guide industrial facilities, businesses, governments, utilities and residential customers toward an equitable and environmentally sustainable future. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. media@clearesult.com Amber Tester Director Corporate Communications
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Small and medium businesses (SMBs) often make up 80-90% of a utility’s non-residential customer base but may not receive as much attention as commercial customers with larger savings opportunities. However, the potential collective energy savings of SMBs are substantial. While there are barriers, such as some communities’ distrust of large institutions or lack of knowledge about energy efficiency, diversifying and expanding your SMB outreach can help propel your program goals and greatly impact your portfolio beyond your expectations. Here are some program recommendations that can help make it easier for small businesses to participate in your utility programs: Understanding your customersMany programs segment customer populations by business type (e.g., grocery, retail, etc.) in their outreach planning. This is important for creating marketing collateral and value propositions that are relevant to those businesses. However, it’s also important to consider other ways of segmenting your market. For instance, segmenting by language and or other cultural value propositions may give your marketing a chance to stand out to new customers. Using census data to identify which languages or populations to focus on can help expand your reach in your territory—you might just be surprised by the results. Also, consider other data points like local median income or regional equity metrics designed to highlight disadvantaged regions. Best-in-class examples include California’s Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) designations informed by the EPA’s CalEnviroscreen mapping tools and the Illinois Enterprise Zone Program. Another idea is to check out businesses located in overlapping census tracts identified in the federal government's new Justice40 Initiative. This additional layer of data can help you better understand hard-to-reach customers and inform more equitable outreach strategies. Expanding and improving your trade ally networkIt’s common for programs to work with large national or state-wide trade allies and contractors but finding professionals who are familiar with specific segments of your territory can help open doors to new customers. Leverage those trade allies that are familiar with the local community and have relationships with local businesses and non-profits. Contractors that speak the language can also help improve effectiveness with the audiences they serve. This hyper-local approach will help you keep program funds within underserved communities, thereby creating jobs and economic growth for trade allies that might not normally be highly involved in an energy-efficiency program. Getting program buy-in from your trade allies, big and small, is also key to program success. Find contractors who want to incorporate the program into their business model and are open to shaping their business processes to be complementary. By helping trade allies understand the positive impact of energy efficiency (and how it can help their customers), they become invested in the program’s long-term success. Smaller or newer trade allies may be more motivated to explore new ideas, partnerships and measures because the program can help them break into new markets and grow their business. Increased participation and a robust trade ally network will drive competition and potentially lift the whole market. Building trust in the communityCollaborating with trusted community-based organizations is a tried-and-true method of expanding your reach and credibility with underserved segments of your SMB portfolio. Identifying and targeting “anchor businesses” like local houses of worship or even a favorite breakfast spot provides the opportunity to develop an invaluable advocate for the program within the community, as long as you’re able to deliver a positive customer experience. Plus, don’t forget about coordinating with local business associations, chambers of commerce or economic development initiatives. Partnering with these organizations can help you multiply your marketing efforts and improve your credibility in the market, especially with SMBs that may be unfamiliar with the benefits of utility programs. Final thoughtsDiversifying or expanding the reach of your commercial offering may come with challenges, but the potential collective energy savings make it worth the effort. Building robust trade ally networks and designing more equitable programs can make a big difference. If you’re interested in learning more about small business solutions, visit our portfolio page or contact CLEAResult’s SMB experts for more best practices. ________________ Todd Van Osdol is a senior consultant for CLEAResult’s Energy Efficiency Practice with a focus on small business, public sector, and commercial midstream program designs. Todd has 15 years of experience in energy efficiency programs and innovation that have delivered results for hard-to-reach customers from the Arctic Circle to San Diego.
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Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires proper planning, management and perseverance. The success of your decarbonization initiatives depends on the people who run it. We asked Keri Macklin, VP of Decarbonization at CLEAResult, to share her thoughts on how to form a sustainability team and who should be on it. For more information about reducing GHG emissions, visit our Decarbonization page.
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The far-reaching implications of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can’t be stressed enough. It’s more than a piece of legislation, it’s a blueprint for a new way to save American's energy. The IRA provides $8.8 billion in rebates for home energy efficiency and electrification projects to ensure that no communities are left behind in the transition to a clean energy future1. The IRA’s two initiatives, the HOMES Rebate Act and the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA), will make these funds available to every household via home energy rebates. As part of the White House's Justice40 Initiative, these two programs ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of the IRA’s clean energy investments help communities that are significantly energy burdened and historically under-resourced. It's estimated these new home energy rebates will save people $1 billion annually in energy costs2. How are home energy rebates determined?The rebate amounts are determined by the Area Median Income (AMI) and summarized in the table below3. More funds are available for households below 150% AMI and below 80% AMI, but it’s important to note that everyone can participate regardless of income. Here’s how much money is potentially available per household:*Maximum rebated costs for Home Electrification Project Qualified Technologies. Source: Type of home energy projectMaximum rebate amount per household below 80% AMIMaximum rebate amount per household above 80% AMIHome Efficiency Project with at least 20% predicted energy savings80% of project costs, up to $4,00050% of project costs up to $2,000 per household or $200k for a multifamily/rental buildingHome Efficiency Project with at least 35% predicted energy savings80% of project costs, up to $8,000 50% of project costs up to $4,000 per household or $200k for a multifamily/rental buildingHome Electrification Project Qualified Technologies (only households with an income below 150% AMI are eligible)100% of project costs up to technology cost maximums*, up to $14,000 50% of project costs up to technology cost maximums; up to $14,000 (households with incomes above 150% AMI are not eligible)What types of products can these rebates be applied to?The home energy rebates can be applied to:Electric heat pump clothes dryer Air sealing Electric heat pump for space heating and cooling Duct sealing Electric heat pump water heaters InsulationElectric panel & wiring upgradesMaterials to improve ventilationElectric stove, cooktop, range, or ovenPotentially other energy-saving technologiesWhere applicable, technologies must be certified under the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. What does this mean for my household?The best way to bring to life the benefits of the IRA is by drilling down into the details. When we breakdown how much people can save, the life-changing impacts are even more evident. For many of America’s most vulnerable households, these home energy rebates will help free-up cash usually set aside for energy bills. A little extra money each month can go a long way to providing people more peace of mind. Let’s look at a few illustrative examples of how the IRA’s home energy rebates come into play for different households. Plus, check out this useful calculator that allows you to enter in your own details for a more accurate picture. Are home energy rebate funds available?Not yet. Once the Department of Energy has made funds available to states and Indian Tribes, those entities will then be responsible for setting up and administering programs.What should I do now to prepare?Your first step should be to look up the AMI for your location. This piece of information directly determines the amount you can receive in home energy rebates. For households with a total annual income less than 150% of the AMI, home electrification rebates may cover up to 100% of a total qualified project’s cost.Next, schedule an energy audit of your home for guidance on how to make it more energy efficient. It’s worth checking with your local utility to see if you qualify for a free energy audit or one at a reduced cost.Lastly, start talking with contractors about their availability to install the equipment once the rebates become available. Educating yourself about the types of equipment necessary for your own house can give contractors a better idea of how to approach your project. Many utilities also offer services and/or programs that can even connect you with qualified contractors and trade allies. How we can help.Our energy experts and clients are always looking out for the planet and people. As more information about the IRA is released, we’ll be updating our resource page regularly. Bookmark it for the latest news and facts on this historical piece of or reach out to your utility directly to see what’s currently available. ____________ 1https://w… href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-f… href="https://www.energy.gov/scep/home-energy-rebate-programs-frequently-aske…;
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The advent of LED technology in the late 1960s revolutionized the commercial lighting industry and made it possible for businesses to give back to the planet. What if your organization could reduce its carbon footprint and maximize its energy savings even further? It’s 100% possible. Our experts help facility managers across North America capitalize on significant, remaining lighting savings every day. Here are a few easy and cost-effective ways to reduce your lighting energy use. Convert remaining non-LED technology…Today, lighting represents about 6% of the electricity used by industrial companies and 17% used by commercial firms. Converting remaining fluorescent, HID and incandescent light bulbs to more efficient LEDs can reduce electricity use by roughly 40% or more1—a significant percentage, especially when the greater, subsequent impact on the environment is also taken into consideration. That’s why, for many organizations, it’s worthwhile to schedule a lighting assessment with a qualified consultant. They can provide the best upgrade options as well as design a solution with precise energy savings and payback estimates based on your specific usage patterns and lighting task needs. Looking to do the work in-house? Companies can determine appropriate lighting levels for their tasks by referring to the Engineering Society (IES) Illuminance Selector or to the illuminance tables in the individual IES recommended practice (RP) standards. … then amplify your energy savings with lighting controls!The best time to add lighting controls is when you’re converting to LEDs. Newer, connected lighting controls, particularly luminaire-level lighting control (LLLC) systems, offer greater value, flexibility, simplicity and responsiveness than legacy controls. Their granular level of control as well as their capability to layer in several different strategies simultaneously are game changers. These added enhancements and innovations improve user satisfaction and energy savings by roughly 60% or more.2 The biggest energy-saving strategies are3: High-End trim: Also called “task tuning,” adjust the maximum light level down to what is needed for the task at hand. This helps lower general light levels even more if task lighting is present.Occupancy control: Adjust lighting automatically when occupants leave or enter a space. Extra control tip: Set lighting controls to vacancy mode so users need to manually turn the lights on. (i.e., staying off in a private office until someone pops in to grab a pen before a 1-hour meeting). This can reduce false tripping and increase savings.Daylight harvesting: Automatically dim or turn off lights when natural daylight is present.Scheduling: For systems that have real-time clocks, dim or turn off lights when they’re not needed. This helps the most when occupancy controls are not present. Optimize what you have through proper maintenance and employee engagement.Already made the switch to efficient LED systems, or don’t have the funding for an upgrade? Don’t worry. Your organization can still realize its sustainability goals alongside significant energy savings. Studies show a 16% reduction in energy use by ensuring existing controlled systems are operating at top capacity.4 What’s more, cleaning dirty fixtures and walls to prevent dust buildup as well as replacing older lamps and lenses can breathe new life into existing systems. These types of recoverable light loss factors can exceed 25% over time, even in less extreme indoor conditions, so it’s especially important that they’re addressed in exterior, harsh and dirty settings. Furthermore, broader employee engagement shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s vital to educate employees on the importance of turning off lights or leveraging personal dimming when possible. Tracking data on energy usage patterns and setting internal goals is a great way to encourage employee behavior changes. Lastly, benchmark your progress by monitoring energy savings month-to-month. Huge strides are being made in commercial lighting thanks to the advent of LED technology. As a result, electricity has dropped in half over the last 20 years.5 While an impressive accomplishment in of itself—even more energy savings await. In fact, new advances in LEDs and controls combined with better employee awareness can help facilities cut their electricity use in half again. Research also shows that improved lighting delivers a myriad of additional benefits ranging from increased sales to improved occupant productivity, performance and health.6 For more tips on reducing your carbon footprint, read our recent blog post, “Quick tips to lower your business's carbon footprint.” ____________ DOE, Energy Savings Forecast of Solid-State Lighting in General Illumination Applications (Dec 2019); CBECS 2018, Table E3. Electricity consumption by end use; MECS 2018, Table 5.8 End Uses of Fuel Consumption Introduction to Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls, Lighting Controls Association (June 2022)Networked Lighting Controls Series: Primary Control Strategies, Better Bricks and The Lighting Design LabRetrocommissioning Lighting Controls, Lighting Controls Association (Dec 2015)Trends in Lighting in Commercial Buildings, EIA (2017)In Defense of Lighting Quality, IES Forum for Illumination Research, Engineering, and Science (FIRES)____________Kyle Hemmi has more than twenty-five years of experience in energy engineering, lighting design, product sales and management. For the past eighteen years, he has consulted electric utility, commercial, government and allied industry clients throughout the U.S. His expertise lies in engineering support and the measurement and verification (M&V) of energy efficiency projects and programs with advanced lighting and lighting controls. In addition to M&V tasks like inspections, spot and sub-metering, and deemed savings development, Kyle has managed several impact, process, potential, baseline and market studies. Plus, he has developed numerous presentations and training programs on specialized technical subjects for more than 25,000 professionals. What’s more, he serves on the Technical Steering Committees for the DesignLights Consortium’s (DLC)® SSL and Networked Lighting Controls initiatives. Lastly, he has held several leadership roles and committee positions within the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
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A new era of energy efficiency is on the horizon—the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will provide millions of dollars for state-run energy efficiency programs starting as soon as this year. This level and type of funding will require tight collaboration between utility-led energy efficiency programs and state governments to maximize energy savings. Our conversations with utility clients across the U.S. who administer similar programs revealed that while they’re excited to see additional federal funding, they naturally have questions about how to coexist with state-run IRA programs. Let’s look at some of the ways states and utilities can work together to address challenges and amplify savings for everyone.
Market confusion and competition
It could create confusion for customers if states and utilities have similar offers in market, leading people to participate in only one program or neither. Rebates of different values for the same upgrade (e.g., a $400 vs. $670 rebate for the same heat pump) may have customers questioning the authenticity of these incentives, or they may find it difficult to navigate their choices. This lack of clear alignment on rebate offers could lead to a disjointed customer experience that alienates, instead of invites, new participants. Additionally, if people gravitate toward only the state-run programs, utilities may struggle to hit their annual savings goals which could harm those programs’ long-term viability. States and utilities working together to ensure the health of both program types will benefit everyone in the long run.
Attribution
Customers may not differentiate between state and utility-led programs. Over the years, many utilities have depended on energy efficiency programs to help them build trust, which is especially important in historically under resourced communities that benefit the most from energy efficiency upgrades. If customers start receiving similar or better benefits from state-led programs, for example, the perception of utility-run programs could change. Should the state program deliver a different level of service or quality assurance than people are used to with utilities, it could turn customers off to programs, altogether.
Free ridership
The IRA opens the door to many rebates and credits that are unrestricted by income, raising the topic of “free riders.” “Free ridership” is the term used when customers who have the means to complete energy efficiency improvements without the assistance of incentives are allowed to receive those incentives anyway. With multiple paths to incentives, how will free ridership be evaluated? Additionally, will state-sponsored marketing efforts accidentally drive customers to utility programs, and vice-versa? It’s still early days, but one thing is for sure—there will be multiple forces transforming the market and how we parse savings attribution remains to be seen.
Recommendations for navigating the IRA together:
Given these challenges, utility and state-run programs have a common interest in working together to amplify energy savings. Here are our top three recommendations on how to achieve success:
Put the customer first. The best results are achieved when the community being served is the focus. The roles that utilities play in each state are different, so it’s important to have open conversations with customers and state energy offices to create a process that works for all. Share goals, plans, and expectations, then work together to create a mutually beneficial program design that focuses on savings and driving customer engagement—a key indicator of success.
Leverage what already works. It’s common to want to start from the ground up when taking on new initiatives, but leaning on currently successful program models or resources can speed up timelines for everyone. If there are existing trade ally networks, activate them to take on more work instead of starting from scratch. The same applies for rebates. If there are already systems and vendors in place to process rebates, then continue to use them. Navigating the uncharted IRA waters will be challenging, so relying on your proven program models will help speed up the process.
Create a common brand. Keeping everything under one roof will amplify all available energy savings. For example, Massachusetts leverages Mass Save®, an award-winning common brand that has helped the state consistently rank in the top three most energy efficient states in the country. This strategy has proven successful at cutting down confusion while boosting community participation and streamlining processes all at once.
Final thoughts
We believe the IRA will create exciting, new opportunities for utilities and states to collaborate. With change comes challenge, but the benefit of a cleaner, greener future is worth the effort. As utilities and governments redefine how they work together, it’s the job of energy efficiency implementers, like CLEAResult, to remain laser-focused on amplifying energy savings at every level.
To figure out how your state or utility program can start building a program that works for everyone, visit our IRA page or reach out to us directly.
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Last month we hosted a webinar with Consumers Energy to discuss their innovation framework and turning customer problems into successful pilots. If you missed that conversation or want a refresher, here are some of our key takeaways:
Be intentional and proactive about portfolio innovation.
Consumers Energy worked with their regulator to allocate a specific portion of portfolio budget toward innovation. While this approach may not work for every utility, having a consistent annual focus on innovation can help your portfolio deliver more savings and reach new customer segments. The goal of new pilots is less about perfection and more about testing new delivery models, providing new solutions to customer problems, and making a case for long-term continued performance.
Leverage portfolio data to build customer problem statements and identify pilot opportunities.
Most utility portfolios have a wealth of data from customers, contractors, and internal resources that can help identify problem areas for new pilots to focus on. Using information like market potential studies, targeted focus groups, or even macro-economic conditions along with the insights from your portfolio’s performance can help you identify opportunities for portfolio evolution.
Internal stakeholder engagement is critical to pilot development.
Focus groups and customer feedback are powerful tools for identifying opportunities in your pilots, but don’t forget about the other parts of your organization that may need to weigh in. Even the best pilot ideas can be held up if there are conflicting priorities or unforeseen impacts internally. Having a well-defined process for gathering internal feedback will help put new pilots and programs in the best position to succeed long-term.
Build robust key performance indicators (KPI) to continuously measure pilot success.
Savings or installation goals are typically a high priority for pilots and new programs—but consistently tracking progress can be challenging. Understanding which KPIs or milestones you’re aiming for along the way gives you a chance to pivot or make adjustments as you make progress toward your goals.
You can watch our entire webinar, Driving Innovation in a Mature Portfolio, online and stay tuned for more content.
Webinar .
Austin, TX (April 19, 2022)—CLEAResult released its 2022 Sustainability Report today, highlighting the company's commitment and progress toward reaching net zero by 2025. The report shares that the energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions provider has reduced its carbon footprint by nearly 70% across all three scopes of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. CLEAResult made significant progress reducing its scope 3 GHG emissions, the indirect emissions that companies often struggle with most. The reduction came primarily from their commitment to remote-first for their employees, which resulted in a 99% decrease in emissions from employee commuting. Additional scope 1 and 2 savings came from continuing to reduce their office footprint. “I’m excited to share the progress we were able to achieve in 2022,” said CEO Rich McBee. “It’s an important demonstration of our accountability to all stakeholders, especially our employees whose efforts continue to be critical to our success.” CLEAResult’s sustainability report also includes the social and environmental impact of their work. Since its founding in 2003, the company has averted a total of 127 million metric tons of CO2 emissions through their work in energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services. In 2022 alone, the company averted nearly 21 million metric tons of CO2 through the lifetime impact of all energy saving measures installed. Those energy efficiency improvements will have saved people and organizations a total of $9.6 billion on energy bills—over $210 million of which was delivered directly to income-eligible households. Other highlights from the report include nearly doubling the company’s diverse business partner network to 114 active businesses. CLEAResult has now spent $92 million with minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses over the past 3 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Internally, the company reported significant progress on their goals to grow employee diversity, inclusion and belonging which can be seen in their talent acquisition trends—hiring 59% more women, 84% more Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and 133% more veterans over the previous year. Everything we do makes energy use better for people and more sustainable for our planet,” McBee added. “We’re proud to report data that proves we’re making progress both internally as a company and externally as a result of our work.” CLEAResult’s 2022 Sustainability Report can be found on the company’s website for full details. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contactsmedia@clearesult.comAmber TesterDirector Corporate Communications
Press Release .
The Project
Brubaker Farms is a large dairy farm in Lancaster County, PA. It installed an anaerobic digestion manure management system to reduce odors and generate electricity for on-farm use due to the owner’s interest in sustainability.
The Opportunity
The farm’s anaerobic digester treated manure and generated electricity for over a decade, but reached the end of its lifespan sooner than anticipated, mostly due to wear and tear caused by the sulfurous methane gas. Rather than eliminating the system altogether, the farm decided to invest in new equipment, expanding its anaerobic digestion operation. The outgoing 223 kW engine generator was replaced with a 335 kW system, increasing their electrical generation capacity by 30%. Utility service had to be extended an extra mile down the lane to achieve such large capacity gains, driving up project costs. But thanks to utility incentives, the added costs were offset. What’s more, the farm added gas scrubbing equipment to increase the lifespan of the engine and improve the thermal recovery for milkhouse and water heating.
In the new system, methane is produced in a large storage tank by heating manure using waste heat from the engine generator. The gas scrubber then removes the sulfurous compounds before the gas passes through the engine used for electricity generation. Waste heat produced from the engine is captured during this process and reused for heating farm buildings and milk processing later.
The CLEAResult Difference
We tapped two subject matter experts in combined heat and power (CHP) and anaerobic digestion to help with the project’s planning measurement and verification (M&V). Our team provided a full M&V plan which was readily approved by the program evaluator. What’s more, our experts reviewed and utilized data from the existing daily production logs of the farm’s operational management system, thereby eliminating a burdensome extra step and the added expense of detailed monitoring.
The Results
The digester offsets utility costs of about $30,000 in electricity and $4,000 in natural gas annually by treating the manure generated by one thousand cows and food waste collected from a nearby college. The total cost of expanding the anaerobic digestion operation without incentives would take an estimated four years to pay back. Our work with evaluators to capitalize on the combined heat and power incentives cut the payback period to just three-and-a-half years.
Case Study .
Our full webinar, Driving Innovation in a Mature Portfolio, is now available to view. We were happy to be joined by Consumers Energy to discuss pilots and innovation frameworks including key points around:
Identifying and defining customer problems and opportunities for innovation
The importance of stakeholder engagement
Building robust pilot KPIs
You can now view the full webinar below.
Presenters include:
Prad Challa (moderator)
Director, Strategic Partnerships
CLEAResult
Miles D. Biel
Pilots Incubation Manager
Consumers Energy
Trevor M. Blattner
C&I Pilots Manager
Consumers Energy
Roger Wiseley
Program Manager
CLEAResult
Webinar .
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn. It’s been a fast start to 2023. CLEAResult is coming off one of our most successful years to date. The energy industry is receiving a lot of attention, and with the Inflation Reduction Act, a level of investment never seen before. Everyone is rightfully optimistic. The plans people are making today will have a huge impact on the way people use energy for decades to come. However, as the energy industry continues to make progress toward decarbonization and environmental sustainability, the challenges are also clear. Global electricity demand is expected to rise 3% per year between 2023 and 2025, and higher energy prices in 2022 have been difficult for people and businesses to keep up with, especially as hotter summers and colder winters become more common. The climate workforce is also growing, but not yet fast enough to keep up with demand. All that said, hope and a sense of urgency have us all working faster than ever. Renewable energy grew to 23% of U.S. generation in 2022, a 12.6% increase from 2021. Climate careers continue to outpace other industries, growing 4% in energy alone, and clean energy programs, including energy efficiency, are breaking participation records year after year. Everything’s trending in the right direction. Enthusiasm is in the air, and people are ready to turn the industry’s optimism into the sustainable outcomes we all know are possible. Meeting people where they are. Everything we do as an industry is aimed at making energy better for people and more sustainable for our planet. We focus on building confidence with every customer to make sure any business or individual we interact with understands the meaningful difference they’re making by using less energy. To build confidence, it’s important that programs are flexible and able to meet the needs of households and businesses of all sizes, whatever business they are in. Just a few weeks ago, our decarbonization team went over to Fenway Park to begin an energy audit. The results of that assessment will give Fenway’s leaders the data they need to plan their next steps and make informed decisions on their sustainability journey. Our team will also be out west soon with the Colorado Energy Office to perform of industrial and manufacturing sites. Those assessments will allow the energy office to make the most of its $25 million Clean Air Program Grants and give their state, and others, a model to follow for maximizing the impact of all the climate investments coming our way. Energy efficiency is essential. We can’t emphasize it enough—energy efficiency is the least expensive, most immediate solution we have to reduce demand, lower costs and accelerate the energy transition. In 2019, ACEEE research touted that energy efficiency alone could cut U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050. The latest IPCC report frequently cites enhanced energy efficiency as a necessary component of long-term energy reliability and a key driver of GHG emissions reductions. As renewable energy expands and generation becomes more weather dependent, energy efficiency will make sure every kWh is used effectively. As the trend to electrify everything continues, we’ll need our systems to be as energy efficient as possible to give the grid more flexibility and keep people safe and comfortable during periods of high demand. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a leader in the business of sustainability, it’s that everyone can make an impact. Whether it’s a business or an individual residence becoming more energy efficient, those contributions help all of us make progress toward a more sustainable planet. Thank you for reading,Rich
Press Release .
Austin, TX (March 29, 2023)—Energy efficiency programs rely on strong, collaborative relationships with residential and commercial trade allies to help maximize outreach and sales, but keeping resources and communications together is a challenge. CLEAResult, North America’s largest energy efficiency solutions provider, announced the launch of CLEAResult ATLAS™ Partner Hub to improve partner engagement across the board. This user-friendly portal allows utility program administrators to quickly qualify and onboard contractors and trade allies, as well as provide access to key information like trainings, documentation, marketing collateral and more. “Contractors don’t have time to dig around for documents,” said Divakar Jandhyala, CLEAResult’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, “making it easier for partners and programs to keep track of projects and collaborate as needs change is essential to speeding up timelines so more homes and businesses can experience the benefits of energy efficiency.” CLEAResult ATLAS™ Partner Hub is a prime example of the company’s dedication to providing best-in-class service and easy-to-use experiences for everyone. Its all-in-one approach improves support for key partners like contractors, retailers and distributors who play critical roles in delivering and promoting successful energy reduction programs. The product makes it easier to: Register and participatePartners can submit documents and certifications for program teams to review and validate their qualifications for registration. Once approved, partners can use their profile across multiple utility programs or even different utilities in a single state or region. Maximize sales Program administrators can upload all documentation and training information for partners, giving them any-time access to the resources needed to make more sales. Plus, they can follow up with their partner network via announcements, news and email templates that help everyone stay on top of program changes and events. CLEAResult ATLAS™ Partner Hub improves partner engagement with a completely configurable branded experience on desktop and mobile devices. Plus, it integrates with other technology products like CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy, an energy efficiency training platform, and CLEAResult ATLAS™ Connect, which gives partners access to view and manage application submissions, keep projects moving, and share what they have to offer with customers. As a result, program teams can further reduce human error and accelerate their success by leveraging multiple technology solutions at once. For more details and future updates on CLEAResult ATLAS™, visit the company’s technology page. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contactsmedia@clearesult.comAmber TesterDirector Corporate Communications
Press Release .
A recent proposal by the EPA to mitigate climate change will greatly impact the HVAC industry in the United States. The proposal is to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants— a measure of the relative climatic impact of greenhouse gases (GHG). As a result, high GWP hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants are scheduled to be phased out as early as January 1st, 2025. While the changes needed for the phasedown are not fully approved, it's important to stay abreast of what’s being discussed and understand the potential impact to energy savings.
What are Hydrofluorocarbons?
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent GHGs developed and manufactured as replacements for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) used in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosols, fire suppression and foam blowing. The only problem is some HFCs have a high GWP that can be a thousand times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2).
HFC use has been growing worldwide due to the phaseout of ODS for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. In 2019, around 75% of total HFC use in the United States came from refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in homes, commercial buildings and industrial operations. The Montreal Protocol has also contributed to the proliferation of HFCs. It initially encouraged the adoption of HFCs to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), gases that cause ozone depletion.
Steps in the Right Direction
On September 21st, 2022, the U.S. ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, joining 137 other countries that have already taken this step forward. This international agreement will gradually reduce the consumption and production of HFCs to protect against climate change.
Additionally, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE) 2022 standards establish a uniform system for assigning refrigerant reference numbers, safety classifications, and refrigerant concentration limits. Previous and current refrigerants used in homes and small to medium businesses, were deemed safe from a toxicity and flammability standpoint and were labeled as A1 refrigerants. The proposed refrigerants to replace HFCs are classified as A2L. The A2L refrigerants are slightly flammable but have been studied and approved for use in HVAC equipment.
Finally, the AIM Act, which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, directs the EPA to phase down production and consumption of HFCs in the United States by 85% over the next 15 years. As a result, refrigerants used in new HVAC equipment will need to have a GWP of no greater than 700 by January 1st, 2025.
Considerations for the Future
HVAC manufacturers are planning on using two refrigerants, R-454b and R-32, to replace high GWP refrigerants. U.S. manufacturers will most likely use R-454b, while Asian and European manufactures will likely use R-32 for products sold in the United States. To put things into perspective, the current refrigerant typically used in residential and commercial air conditioner and heat pump equipment has a GWP of 2,088 but R-454B and R-32 have a global warming potential of only 467 and 675, respectively. That's less than a third of the global warming potential from these refrigerants which is terrific news for the planet!
HVAC contractors, HVAC distributors, homeowners and utility energy efficiency programs can expect these changes to affect the energy performance and the costs of new HVAC equipment. Also, the cost of repairing existing HVAC equipment that uses the old, higher GWP refrigerant (R-410a) will likely increase as the phasedown occurs. Once this proposal is finalized, we’ll share more on its long-term effects as well as how to prepare.
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Mark Jerome has nearly 30 years of experience in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry. He has worked in all phases of the residential and commercial sectors. Mark has been a voting member of the Regional Technical Forum (RTF) since January 2007 and was appointed the Vice Chair as of January 2022. He was appointed as a member of the Demand Response Advisory Committee (DRAC) as of June 2021. Mark also serves or has served on a number of expert panels in the Pacific Northwest. As Senior Technical Energy Manager with the Engineering department of CLEAResult, Mark plays critical roles in several energy efficiency programs, including managing the Building Science & Engineering Team (BSET) as well as providing program design and training for residential Heat Pump and AC programs offered by several of our clients. Mark has been certified as an assessor & quality assurance inspector for the DOE Home Energy Score. Mark is currently a quality insurance inspector, trainer and program subject matter expert for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Performance Tested Comfort Systems (PTCS) Residential Heat Pump & Duct Sealing Programs. Mark is also an active BPI proctor and trainer and an EPA 608 refrigerant trainer and proctor.
Blog .
As we collectively gear up to install heat pumps at an unprecedented rate, many utilities have questions on where to start. Manufactured homes might be a good place and we’ll give you an example of a carefully planned program design that led to big savings.
First, let’s look at some of the opportunities and obstacles of installing heat pumps in manufactured homes.
In the northwest, over 90% of manufactured homes are shipped with an electric furnace. These systems represent the least expensive option for manufacturers to meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirement for a whole house heating system—and the most expensive option for homeowners to operate.
The largest opportunity, then, is the significant energy savings, as the move from electric resistance to a heat pump easily cuts heating energy use in half. A second opportunity is the uniformity of housing design as contractors and efficiency program designers can standardize the sizing and installation of the heat pumps. This uniformity can also be an obstacle as the duct system is outside the thermal boundary of the house and is almost always leaky with limited airflow due to duct size and configuration.
Other homeowner benefits include the addition of central air conditioning and the potential improvements to indoor air quality. Compared to electric furnaces, heat pumps have a longer run time which means indoor air is filtered for more hours. In some cases, contractors can replace the typical 1-inch filter with a 4-inch pleated filter, resulting in even higher levels of particle capture.
Heat pump upgrades do have challenges, with the key obstacle typically being cost. Many manufactured homeowners don’t consider themselves to be in the market for a heat pump as they perceive upgrades to be above their price range. This anticipation of out-of-pocket expenses creates a barrier to program participation that utilities and contractors must overcome.
Here’s an example of a recent program design that we used to overcome these barriers while taking advantage of the opportunities.
A manufactured homes case study
We worked with our client to put together a heat pump program that owners of manufactured homes would find affordable and that contractors could sell. By using an RFP process, we got contractors involved in creating the solution.
Collaboration: The RFP was put out to contractors to submit their solutions to complete the upgrade while keeping costs down. For instance, the program produced an RFP that asked to give us a price for 2.5, 3 and 4 tons. Originally the RFP required replacement of the system, but one contractor recommended utilizing the existing air handler whenever possible, rather than replacing it. While this may still require air handler upgrades, it would cost less than a complete replacement. We amended the proposal to allow for using the existing air handler. This collaborative approach, including changing the proposal based on contractor feedback, allowed us to key in on the best ideas and improve our relationship with those contractors.
Pricing: To encourage contractors to negotiate with distributors for best available pricing, each selected contractor would be allotted a quota of homes. By having a quota, contractors knew the jobs were going to happen and they could buy in bulk from the distributor. This allowed them to buy each unit at a better price.
Quality: Using the RFP process allowed quality control inspections to be conducted at higher levels, resulting in a stronger program. As compared to an open market, there are fewer contractors—it's a closed network. With fewer contractors, we could inspect more jobs per contractor and be more likely to catch and improve the contractor's work. There was very little paperwork involved as there were only 2-3 models that could be installed, and the pricing and quota were understood. Streamlining the rebate process made both the contractors and customers happy.
Motivation: The RFP bidding process ensured program design contractors would want to do the work they created, and it made sense for their business model. Our utility client increased the incentive for the heat pump installation to the tipping point so that both the customer and contractor felt they were getting a fair deal.
These incentives drove contractors to market to customers with existing electric furnaces and canvas manufactured home parks. As the RFP process self-selected those contractors that already had a large manufactured-home customer base, they had experience marketing directly to these customers.
Uniformity advantage: We knew we could use the uniformity in housing design to our advantage and maximize customer benefit while keeping costs down. The program would install just two brands of heat pumps from 1.5 to 3.0 tons. The program dictated the size of the heat pump based on the vintage and size of the house, which informed the customer price and incentive for the contractors.
Due to the uniformity in the homes, the program required that the ducts be sealed through its existing no-cost manufactured home duct sealing program, using specialty duct sealing contractors. This allowed the installers to focus only on the heat pump installation, eliminating a task that they are typically reluctant to perform.
Results
This program has proved successful at both increasing participation of manufactured homes in programs and evaluated energy savings. In a 3rd-party evaluation, participants saved an average of 4,267 kWh/year for a 60% reduction (!) in weather-sensitive savings. While the energy savings are a tremendous outcome, building trust and ensuring affordability for those with historically high energy burdens may be equally important and many contractors commented that it was important to them to be able to reduce the energy costs for homeowners that were previously unable to participate in programs.
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Bruce Manclark is a nationally recognized leader in residential consulting on energy efficiency, energy efficiency technical training, implementation of conservation programs, and quality control testing. Bruce has helped clients such as the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and others develop program strategies for HVAC, new homes and existing homes programs. Bruce previously owned an energy services company, Delta T, specializing in the implementation of residential energy conservation programs and services. In April 2016, he was inducted into the Building Performance Industry Hall of Fame recognized for his significant and lasting contributions to the building performance industry over the course of his career. Bruce is currently on the Board of Directors for Efficiency First.
Case Study .
Austin, TX (February 28, 2023)—State energy offices across the U.S. are facing the same challenge—how to make sure new climate investments have the largest impact possible. The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) recently selected CLEAResult, an experienced energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions provider, as the trusted implementing partner to help prioritize the office’s $25 million Clean Air Program (CAP) Grants. CAP Grant projects will be focused on reducing air pollutant emissions from industrial and manufacturing sites throughout Colorado, and applications are expected to open in Spring 2023. CLEAResult’s decarbonization team is coming on board to perform on-site Scope 1 Emissions Assessments and evaluate the technical validity and potential reduction impact of an applicant’s proposed project. The team will then share the data and insights collected at each site to help inform the Colorado Energy Office’s award decisions. "The industrial sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado," said CEO Strategic Initiatives & Financing Program Manager Wil Mannes. "We are looking forward to working with CLEAResult to ensure that technical assessments and Clean Air Program grant funding maximize emissions reductions from this sector and move us closer to the clean energy future we envision for the state." “Reducing direct, or scope 1, emissions at the source is the end goal we’re all working toward,” said Keri Macklin, CLEAResult’s Vice President of Decarbonization. “We want people to see that progress is taking place and trust that the grant money is being well spent.” The climate industry often breaks GHG emissions into 3 different scopes. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions that are generated on-site at a company’s facility, including company vehicles. Scope 2 and 3 refer to indirect emissions such as purchased electricity or distribution supply chains. CLEAResult has 20 years of experience reducing carbon emissions through its energy efficiency work with utilities, businesses and communities across the U.S. and Canada. The company also measures and reports on its own carbon footprint in an effort to reach their goal of becoming Net Zero by 2025. “Projects like this will be great models for our industry to learn from as states get more and more funding for climate initiatives,” said CLEAResult’s CEO Rich McBee. “It’s so important that we get this right to show Colorado, and the country, that we can make a meaningful impact for our planet.” As states prepare for money to begin to flow from the Inflation Reduction Act, all eyes are on climate leaders like the state of Colorado and early implementers like CLEAResult to find successful strategies the industry can rely on. For updates on CAP Grant applications, visit the Colorado Energy Office’s website. More information on CLEAResult can be found at www.clearesult.com. CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com Amber Tester Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
Small and medium businesses (SMBs) make up a majority of non-residential utility customers, yet common barriers continue to result in some of the lowest energy efficiency program participation rates. Many business owners are so focused on the day-to-day operations of their business that they aren’t aware of what utilities offer to help them manage energy costs. For businesses that are aware of their local programs, some still struggle with the technical considerations, financial analysis and complex incentive applications often associated with navigating each program to find which commercial building upgrades are right for them. When people do manage to learn about a program and navigate all the decision-making points, upfront costs for projects can still be a barrier for cash-strapped businesses. Program managers, and implementing partners like us, have tailored small business program designs to address these barriers by using a few common strategies: Free facility assessments and measure recommendations No-cost direct install measures (mostly LED lighting upgrades) Higher incentives for qualifying small businesses No- or low- interest project financing These tried-and-true strategies for serving the small business community have relied on one big advantage—the abundance of low-cost, high-impact savings opportunities like LED lighting. However, this advantage is waning in the face of a few significant headwinds. By virtue of their own success, LEDs are saturating many markets, especially areas with the presence of mature energy efficiency programs. Additionally, are raising the bar for energy performance and shrinking the associated savings that programs can claim. With fewer lighting savings available, programs are turning to other end-use measures like HVAC, refrigeration, and water heating to meet their ever-increasing savings goals. For programs that only rely on old-school strategies, this means delivering savings is getting more expensive at a time when there’s an increased focus on cost-effectiveness in company’s portfolios. Finding the right balance of equity in savings delivery and overall cost-effectiveness is key to keeping small business programs successful in the future. Here are some promising trends that are making energy efficiency programs sharper and smarter: Data-driven outreach and energy advising Future cost-effective approaches to serving SMB customers will need to maximize the use of resources to deliver savings. A data-driven outreach approach can inform where resources will be most effective. At a high level, market analysis can highlight customer segments that stand to benefit the most from available measures (i.e., owner-occupied convenience stores with refrigeration upgrade opportunities). One increasingly important facet of data-driven outreach is considering which variables will help ensure equitable program delivery. With the right data, programs can more easily identify which businesses in disadvantaged and underserved communities have higher energy use than their peers, and then approach them with a pre-informed business case for energy efficiency. When a business begins to engage, their Energy Advisors often become their best advocates—going far beyond simple facility walkthroughs and measure recommendation reports. They work with the business owner or landlord to understand their priorities and match their motivations with incentives to help determine the best path forward. Along the way, they provide decision makers with direct, actionable information to streamline measure selection, contractor evaluations, and applications for incentives and financing. In the future, resources will be invested with a targeted approach that engages fewer customers but results in deeper savings impacts for everyone. This approach maximizes customer satisfaction without sacrificing a program’s savings goals or cost-effectiveness. AI is making smart controls cheaper and more accessible New technologies are making measures once reserved for large facilities and institutions more affordable for smaller organizations. Artificial intelligence (AI) is streamlining advanced building controls by optimizing data points needed to build effective energy use models. Once installed, AI is now being used to optimize building operations for small businesses who can’t afford to hire an energy manager or on-site engineer. The increasing accessibility of building controls technologies, coupled with the proliferation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) creates exciting new opportunities for recognizing the impact of advanced controls in the small business sector. A few specific examples of AI at play include refrigeration set-point optimization, continuous commissioning of building management systems, and fault detection enabled maintenance for improved equipment health. Technology growth and rapidly dropping sensor prices have made these AI software packages truly affordable for SMBs. We are actively working with several partners, including AI technology companies, sensor hardware firms, and utilities, to innovate and test new SMB program pilots that will carry us into the next decade of program implementation. New funding tools are opening doors Even when small business customers are highly motivated to move forward with an energy efficiency upgrade, upfront costs remain a persistent barrier. Businesses have many competing interests for capital expenditures and energy efficiency is often not the top priority. Plus, many businesses are leery of taking on loans or other forms of debt that can impact credit scores and the availability of credit for other investments. To address this barrier, CLEAResult and our partners are finding ways to fund projects off the balance sheet. One popular example of this is Energy Efficiency as a Service (EEaaS). In an EEaaS funded project, the customer pays for the upgraded equipment under a service contract that is priced at, or just below, the energy cost savings from the project. This way, a customer can make an energy improvement investment with no upfront cost and pay for the investment through a shared savings approach from their operations budget. This is not entirely a new concept; energy service contracts have been common in the large commercial and industrial space for decades. What’s changed is that technology and process improvements have streamlined the delivery of these projects to where they can scale down to make financial sense for SMB projects. This reimagined approach, along with more flexible incentive structures and alternative funding sources, is creating deeper and more consistent savings opportunities from a more diverse set of customers than ever before. All of these innovations share a common theme—they focus program efforts where the opportunities are greatest. As a result, programs are able to streamline processes, achieve greater efficiency in delivery, and foster deeper relationships, and savings, with the community they serve. _________________ Todd Van Osdol is a senior consultant for CLEAResult’s Energy Efficiency Practice with a focus on small business, public sector, and commercial midstream program designs. Todd has 15 years of experience in energy efficiency programs and innovation that have delivered results for hard-to-reach customers from the Arctic Circle to San Diego.
Blog .
Improving equity through electrification
Did you know residential housing accounts for nearly 20% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions? The Inflation Reduction Act specifically addresses the issue of home energy reduction through the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA). Formerly known as the Zero-Emission Homes Act (ZEHA), it helps low- and moderate-income households afford the energy-efficient upgrades needed to lower costs and greenhouse gas emissions. America’s most under resourced communities will experience a renaissance of revitalization with this $4.275 billion program in place—all while reducing their impact on the planet.
How will the HEEHRA be implemented?
Electrifying America’s most energy vulnerable households is one of the greatest challenges facing us as we work toward an equitable energy transition. Funding will flow through state energy offices into low-and moderate-income communities, where it’s impact will make the most difference. As the program rolls out over the next decade, it’ll help improve air quality and stimulate unprecedented job growth. It’s estimated that electrification will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs; more specifically—462,430 installation jobs, 80,000 manufacturing jobs, plus 800,000 indirect and induced jobs1.
Who is eligible?
The HEERHA focuses on helping low- and moderate-income (LMI) households afford energy-efficient upgrades. To participate, households must earn a total annual income that’s less than 150% of the local median income (the local median income for your area is defined and determined by your state. This program takes a tiered approach to rebate eligibility, by increasing in value for the most energy burdened households. For instance, households with an annual income below 80% of an area’s median income can receive rebates that cover 100% of the total project cost. While households that earn 80 to 150% of an area’s median income can receive rebates for 50% of the final project cost. What’s more, whole building projects for multi-family properties are also eligible if half the residents meet similar income qualifications.
What home energy rebates will be available, and when?
If you’re looking to electrify your home, the HEEHRA has a lot to offer. First and foremost, it establishes point-of-sale consumer rebates that make electrification upgrades cheaper right off the shelf. The ability to access energy savings upfront, instead of submitting a rebate application after the fact is a total game-changer that eases financial barriers like never before. Rebates under this program will also cover both purchase and installation costs. It’s estimated participants will save an average of $377, and many will save up to $493 per year on average1. The Department of Energy is currently in the process of determining the best timeline for distributing funds and we’ll know more details in Summer 2023.
What will the impact be?
The HEEHRA creates a winning combination of rebates that specifically address the concerns of America’s most energy vulnerable households and goes farther than ever before to make home electrification possible for everyone. If one thing is certain about the next decade—the implications of the HEEHRA will be significant and far-reaching. It’s estimated that at least 85% of households in the United could save $37.3 billion a year1 on energy bills if they were using modern, electrified furnaces and water heaters. With HEEHRA as the launchpad to achieve such astounding savings, we have a lot to look forward to.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore how all the IRA’s programs work together to bring about greater change.
1. Source: Rewiring America
Blog .
For over thirty years, our industry has heavily relied on energy-efficient lighting as a key source of energy savings for residential programs. Increased efficiency standards are transforming retail shelves and driving the end of inexpensive, high-volume savings from LEDs for most residential programs. While LEDs will remain a key part of many programs, the hunt for the next ubiquitous measure for homeowners and renters has begun. A measure is a piece of equipment, a device or materials that help reduce energy consumption in a home or building and for years LEDs were the most convenient measure on the market. No single measure can replace LEDs for their cost effectiveness, high-volume sales and ease of installation, but this new phase for residential programs offers several attractive opportunities to save people energy and money. Air sealing and insulationIt may be time to finally make weatherization glamorous. When looking at homes of all shapes, sizes and locales, air sealing can have a bigger net impact on energy efficiency and decarbonization than any other single measure. Tightening and properly insulating your home not only helps reduce total heating and cooling costs by up to 15% according to ENERGY STAR®, it also provides a variety of non-energy benefits including increased comfort and improved indoor air quality. Sealing homes and upgrading the building envelope can also help other measures be more effective. For example, a better-insulated home allows less air to escape, plus the HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house warm or cool. Insulation and air sealing also have long measure lives, a key metric for program cost-effectiveness, making prioritizing weatherization for all homes moving forward a safe bet. Heat pumps Many suggest that the humble heat pump can save the world. As the energy transition gains momentum, efficient space heating will be a large part of the solution, giving heat pumps a turn in the spotlight. Heating and cooling continue to provide huge savings potential, especially for homes with older, inefficient furnaces. Upfront costs have long been a barrier to upgrading HVAC equipment, especially for low-income residential customers. A new focus on heat pumps at both the state and federal levels is making efficient HVAC system upgrades more accessible than ever. The Inflation Reduction Act will provide tax credits of up to $2000 for heat pumps and will cover the entire cost (up to $8000) for low-income customers. Ramping up production and availability is likely to be a bottleneck in the short term, but heat pumps will remain a major piece of the energy efficiency puzzle for the next 5-10 years. Keep your eyes out for new program designs like this NYSERDA pilot with technologies such as the saddle bag heat pump for high-density housing (an area of genuine excitement).Smart home technologies and customer engagementAs we continue to replace outdated home equipment with newer, grid-edge capable technology, we open a new world of engagement between people and their utility providers. Exciting new opportunities in demand response are just scratching the surface of how utilities and implementers will interact with customers over the next few years to keep them informed and drive energy efficient decision making. Smart home technology is part of the conversation as well. Smart thermostats are already a part of many residential efficiency programs, but adding in other measures such as hubs, switches and more will give homeowners more awareness and control of their energy usage. This will enable the future of distributed energy management and power the energy transition. What specifically constitutes a “smart home” and finding the balance between adding more devices that use more energy and the energy savings return they can empower will pose healthy challenges as we design the future of these programs. As these technologies and programs quickly become standard, residential energy efficiency will move from a focus on equipment upgrades, and perhaps measures altogether, to customer engagement and choice. How people interact with their homes and the infrastructure that powers them will be key foundations of the energy transition and the coming years in efficiency programs. The way we engage with customers and empower them to make informed decisions about their home’s energy behaviors may be the most cost-effective measure of all. Changing people’s habits through education and timely signals not only makes for a better customer experience with program design, it may also be as effective as the lightbulb. -- Seth Little is the residential practice director at CLEAResult and new member of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative's Board of Directors. In addition to leading standardization and innovation for CLEAResult’s residential portfolio, he also currently serves as a subject matter expert for virtual operations, home energy assessments, energy advising and digital engagement.
Blog .
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn.
2022 was a momentous year. I have so much to be thankful for, and so much gratitude and respect for everyone who made CLEAResult’s year successful. The industry’s push to grow the impact of energy efficiency is incredible. I see it measured best by our increasingly large backlog of new programs, and I’m looking toward the new year filled with excitement to deliver them.
The groundwork for sustainable action has clearly been laid, many businesses have set their course, and leaders everywhere are ready to hit the ground running in 2023.
Today, I’d like to share some simple advice that climate-focused business leaders can pick up and run with immediately.
Here are 3 climate resolutions all companies should consider in 2023:
1. If you haven’t started, start.
It may sound obvious, but many leaders I talk to find their biggest barrier is simply getting started. I applaud every business who has already taken the first, second or hundredth step toward making their companies more sustainable. It’s a huge accomplishment that executives and employees can be proud of together. No commitment to sustainability can be achieved in a silo.
Find the first step that’s right for your company. Open up conversations with your employees, customers and partners to see what people care about most and what will have the biggest impact for your business.
2. Build a team to drive focus on sustainability.
With your ideas in hand, it’s time to assemble a team to guide your next steps. Creating a team to drive sustainability provides critical structure for leading, coordinating and reporting on the company’s progress. This team should have representation from all levels across the company, including senior leadership, operations managers, finance folks and more.
Most importantly, this team should be comprised of people who are passionate about the cause. People who are eager to set goals, identify the gaps and build a plan to improve. CLEAResult is fortunate to have environmental sustainability as a core part of our company’s purpose and culture. We have passionate people at every level pushing us to achieve our reduction targets. Its why people work here, why our customers and partners choose our teams again and again, and why I know we’ll reach our goals.
3. Learn where your company stands today.
To know where you’re going, you first need a clear understanding of where you are. Measuring your company’s carbon footprint is an essential first step for any sustainability team. Before setting goals, you’ll need to understand your baseline by doing an assessment. This will include scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions—explained nicely by our friends at National Grid who’s CEO spoke in depth about their net-zero journey on the Cleaning Up podcast earlier this year.
From there, your team can set short- and long-term goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These goals should be made visible internally to make sure everyone’s on board and give people tangible targets that bring the mission down to earth. Short-term goals in particular, like improving energy efficiency, are an important way to achieve quick, continuous wins that keep moral high throughout the process.
On Earth Day this year, CLEAResult committed to reaching Net Zero by 2025 in our corporate sustainability report. Meeting that commitment has become a collaborative and continuous learning process for everyone on our team. Reducing energy use is built-in to our mission, yet this commitment feels like a fresh start—a new goal that aims higher and holds us accountable.
These 3 resolutions are tied together by a common theme I emphasize often, relying on your people. Listen to what’s important to people in your organization, customers who help you innovate, and the communities you serve where your impact matters most. Then, in 2023, rely on each other to get the job done.
Finally, remember it’s a journey—not an event or a task. Continuous improvement is the key, and I can’t wait to see what next year holds. Thank you to everyone who has followed along so far. There’s plenty more to come.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!
Talk soon,
Rich
Blog .
We recently hosted a webinar with Enbridge Gas to discuss their HVAC and kitchen equipment midstream program in Ontario, Canada. Our discussion included an overview of the program design, key challenges this program has faced and how they have addressed them.If you were unable to attend or want a refresher, here are our top takeaways:1. Distributors are active stakeholders and key to effectively administering the program.Identifying a strong value proposition for your distributors and getting buy-in from all levels of the organization is essential to a successful midstream program. While the value proposition might vary depending on the size of the distributor, the customer base or the number of locations, ensure your distributors are on board and motivated to help deliver the program. Providing added benefits for distributors, like allowing them to keep a portion of incentive dollars to use for marketing or operations, also helps with active participation from your distributors.2. Collaboration with other utilities can lead to a better customer experience.Enridge Gas worked with Ontario’s local electric provider, IESO, to provide both electric and gas measures under their pilot midstream program. This joint effort allowed customers to apply for both gas and electric measures under one program umbrella and create cost savings programs like joint marketing and distributor engagement.While this approach may not be right for all utilities, finding opportunities to collaborate with other stakeholders in your market can be positive for distributors and customers alike. More incentivized products also keep the program top of mind for distributors and have a better chance at success.3. Use sales data along with qualitative feedback to develop program forecasts.Confidentiality and bringing together multiple sales reporting methods can be a major challenge in midstream programs as many distributors have their own unique approach. Some distributors are hesitant to share past sales information. For those that do, the reports may not reflect efficient versus inefficient sales outcomes. These challenges can make program forecasting and expectation-setting difficult. Instead of unit-level forecasts, focus on trends and volume overviews with participants.Distributor or manufacturer surveys can also give you a sense of what equipment they have in stock or sell frequently while maintaining sales data confidentiality. Marrying a quantitative and qualitative approach to understanding distributors’ selling habits is the best path toward understanding the impact your program will have.4. Combat supply chain issues by starting conversations early.While long lead times to get stock equipment can be frustrating, it provides an opportunity to change purchasing habits. Many distributors are used to purchasing inefficient equipment as a routine. Taking advantage of delays and offering efficiency programs can guide those distributors to stocking energy-efficient, qualified equipment instead. Market assessments and feedback from distributors and manufacturers will help you better understand purchasing habits and guide long-term program strategy as well. Additionally, formalizing relationships with manufacturers and encouraging them to manufacture or certify higher efficiency products can get more incentive-qualified products on shelves as your program matures. Check out our full webinar, Midstream: Beyond Lighting, to learn more about midstream innovation and ensuring program success.
Webinar .
Last week, we hosted a webinar exploring Enbridge's food service and HVAC targeted distributor program and midstream innovation. Our moderator, Katie Fotheringham, was joined by Enbridge's Deanna Marley and our CLEAResult program manager Brenen Suddaby to discuss:
Challenges and keys to success for Enbridge's midstream program
Navigating issues like the global pandemic and supply chain delays
Benefits of collaboration between Enbridge Gas and the IESO
And much more...
You can now view the full conversation below. Please enjoy!
Webinar .
Austin, TX (December 1, 2022)—CLEAResult, the largest energy efficiency solutions provider in the U.S. and Canada, was recently awarded contracts totaling $12.5 million in 2023 to holistically manage and deliver Energy Trust of Oregon’s Residential energy efficiency programs. The two organizations have a 15-year history of working together to make energy efficiency more accessible in the state. These new initiatives aim to expand the program’s impact even further by building strong diverse supplier partnerships in the state and proactively improving equity at every stage of the customer experience.
“We’re really excited to show the impact energy efficiency programs can have when everything is integrated,” said CLEAResult CEO Rich McBee. “It’s an opportunity to build equity into program design and partnerships early on, creating an ecosystem of mutual success for community members who have been historically underrepresented in our industry.”
The awarded contracts continue CLEAResult’s management of Energy Trust of Oregon’s wide-ranging Residential portfolio and includes a new Midstream and Online program with a combined first-year budget estimated at $12.5 million. CLEAResult proposed ambitious goals for increasing diverse supplier spend well beyond the 20% minimum required by Energy Trust—a goal the company had previously exceeded by reaching over 30% diverse supplier spend in its Business Lighting program. The team’s thoughtful integration of partners in all areas of scope, as well as the strength of their existing supplier relationships, set them apart and will be key drivers of success for the new work.
CLEAResult will bring their full suite of capabilities to the program including marketing, analytics, trade ally management, budget and savings forecasting, measure development, community engagement and more. CLEAResult ATLAS™, the company’s technology platform, will be used to help fully integrate the program’s design, opening up opportunities to include diverse partners at every level and deliver a better customer experience for everyone.
“To achieve our vision of clean, affordable energy for everyone, we need partners who share our values and are committed to pushing the limits of what we can achieve for the people of Oregon—CLEAResult fits right in,” Energy Trust of Oregon’s Director of Energy Programs Tracy Scott emphasized. “Only together with many partners can we bring direct benefits to people who have been underserved and overlooked by the energy industry.”
CLEAResult views diverse partners as key to long-term strategic growth. The company is actively focused on building relationships with diverse suppliers nationwide to expand access to the growing number of opportunities in the industry. City and state decarbonization goals, plus federal funding from initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act are also accelerating the need for emission reduction programs that prioritize people in the most need.
“Creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve will benefit everyone in the long-run,” CLEAResult Senior Vice President, West, Kecia Davison, added. “We’re proud to play our part in leading that effort.”
Visit CLEAResult.com for more details on the company’s energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions.
About CLEAResult
CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition, and decarbonization solutions in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities and residential customers to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,400 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by TPG through its middle market and growth equity investment platform TPG Growth and its multi-sector global impact investing strategy The Rise Fund.
Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com.
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Media contacts
media@clearesult.com
Amber Tester
Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
Austin, TX (November 29, 2022)—California residents can now save money instantly on energy-efficient home upgrades with the new Golden State Rebates program implemented by CLEAResult®). The program’s easy-to-use retail coupon portal includes rebates of up to $500 and is available to customers of SDG&E®, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E®), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®) and Southern California Edison Company (SCE®). Golden State Rebates currently offers instant discounts when purchasing energy-saving smart thermostats, water heaters and room air conditioners. Customers simply sign up for an account, verify their eligibility, then receive a coupon via email for the selected product to be redeemed at a participating in-store or online retailer of their choice. The program is the only statewide instant rebate option that works with retailers directly to make purchasing energy-efficient products more convenient and affordable. “Energy costs are a top concern for Californians and their utilities” said Kecia Davison, CLEAResult’s Senior Vice President for the West Region. “Energy efficiency is key to saving folks money now and in the long run. It also plays a vital role in supporting the state’s decarbonization goals.” The program has the full support of SDG&E, PG&E, SoCalGas and SCE as part of the companies’ efforts to transition California to a clean energy future that is equitable and affordable for everyone. “Beyond the immediate savings from the rebates, energy-efficient products can help customers save in the long run on their gas and electric bills by reducing their energy consumption,” said SDG&E Director of Customer Programs Hollie Bierman. “By replacing older models of appliances with ultra-efficient ones, families can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year, while also reducing their carbon footprint.” People often make energy efficiency improvements when equipment needs to be replaced, so Golden State Rebates ensures that utility customers, installers and distributers all have access instant discounts. The rebates can also be combined with other statewide initiatives like TECH Clean California to help people save even more money. If someone is upgrading to a heat pump water heater, for example, they may be able to save up to $500 with Golden State Rebates, plus an additional $1,000 — $3,100 through TECH Clean California depending on eligibility. People can check their eligibility using the Switch is On Incentive Finder as the additional incentives are only available in limited territories and amounts are subject to change. Golden State Rebates’ holistic approach to energy efficiency can help people be proactive about their energy use, all while saving money at a time when it’s needed most. Visit goldenstaterebates.com for full details on everything the program has to offer. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com Amber Tester Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn.
The energy efficiency industry is scaling up at an unprecedented pace. Utility programs across North America are feeling the forward momentum, making the most of it and getting ready to grow—fast. There are plenty of outside factors to point to, from the Inflation Reduction Act to private investor pressure, but what’s being left out is the success programs are building from within.
Utility goals are changing. They’re choosing to go big and make their impact even more meaningful for the communities they support.
As I travel around North America, I feel it’s time to recognize the utility industry for the impact they are making. Not only for “keeping the lights on”, but for the real impact they’re having on people’s daily lives in the communities they serve. Utilities are showing an enhanced emphasis on low- and moderate-income (LMI) programs that uplift people being hit the hardest by inflation.
The social impacts of saving energy
Saving energy is still goal number one, but utilities are focused on their relationships with communities more than ever before. In Tennessee for example, the TVA Home Uplift program has had tremendous success reaching the under resourced households they serve. They exceeded their weatherization goal for the year, upgrading over 1300 homes, and have created efficiencies to keep that forward momentum growing. From workforce development initiatives that bring in members of the community, including more non-English speakers, to achieving an astonishing Net Promoter Score of 93—it’s clear the program’s impact is resonating.
Michigan is also seeing impressive growth in programs focused on people who need the most help. One program saw incentive dollars spent on income-qualified measures double in 2022 with no signs of slowing down. Our Healthier Homes program, which is focused on improving air quality through energy efficiency for people with respiratory ailments in the Flint area, has now helped over 225 households breathe cleaner air, all while lowering energy use. This shift towards programs with a social purpose is increasing, and it’s going to stick. I’m proud of all the people working to make it happen.
Program goals are going for even bigger impacts.
Utilities have hit their stride with energy efficiency programs. There’s a strong foundation from the past decade of work that shows us successful strategies, and programs are setting ambitious goals to put that experience to use. Reducing electric demand through energy efficiency programs is a necessity for utilities, especially as the energy transition wave ramps up.
Heat pumps are a major part of that transition, and they’re catching on even in the coldest climates. Maine, California, New York, and Massachusetts have all set time-bound commitments to get energy-saving electric heat pumps in homes with more states likely to follow in a push towards electrification. Maine made news recently after announcing that 28,000 new heat pumps were installed in the past year alone, putting them well on their way to reach the state’s goal of 100,000 by 2025. That’s more than three times the amount installed in 2018. The program teams in the area have done a tremendous job keeping up with the growth and are continuously developing a workforce to get the job done.
This rapid need for workforce development to support energy efficiency programs is being felt everywhere. As states and cities roll out their decarbonization plans, we’re finally seeing program funding match the need for growth. Colorado is another prime example. Our partners in the area are asking us to touch five times the number of homes, plus build a plan to reach ten times our current pace soon after—an effort that continues to focus on benefitting people in need. These big asks are becoming common, and we’re thrilled to take on the challenge.
Utilities reprioritize to reflect the communities they serve
Energy efficiency is mission critical for everyone. That means making sure our programs are not only equitable and inclusive by design, but that the people and suppliers we hire are as diverse as the communities they serve. I feel very fortunate knowing that our clients take this to heart. As lighting incentives fade out, utilities are prioritizing equity by refocusing on LMI programs as a primary driver of future growth.
The same shift in focus is being placed on supplier diversity as well, but the conversation feels different. There’s a genuine motivation to measure energy efficiency’s impact beyond pure savings. This has been particularly true with our partners in Oregon. We’re working together to set significantly higher diverse supplier spend goals as a vital part of our long-term growth strategy. Proactively bringing more diverse suppliers into our systems ensures that we’re improving equity at every level and creating an ecosystem of mutual respect by design. It’s important work and the impact will be felt for years to come. I’m excited to watch it grow.
I could cite examples of success for hours. People are feeling the optimism, programs are moving quickly to capture every opportunity, and utilities are getting ready to make the most of them. Energy efficiency is entering a new era of purpose, and the impact for communities and our planet will be huge.
Everyone is aiming higher, and when strategy, purpose and need all align, it’s amazing what gets done.
Until next time,
Rich
Blog .
For years, residential lighting programs have been a key part of most utility energy efficiency portfolios. Retail markdowns on ENERGY STAR® certified light bulbs have provided cost-effective savings, high volume, and an attractive entry point for customers. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) will bring changes to the retail market in 2023, transitioning to an all-LED market for most commonly used light bulbs. This change, and the shifting baselines associated with it, will impact many current energy efficiency portfolios, requiring utilities to reevaluate and refresh their current savings programs to better serve their customers.
EISA refresher
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was passed in 2007 and rolled out in two phases. The first phase set new efficiency standards, sunsetting incandescent A-line bulbs in 2014. The second, enacted in July 2022, outlined a “backstop condition” requiring all general service lamps (GSL)—which includes A-line bulbs, candles, globes, and reflectors – to meet the LED standard of 45 lumens per watt.
The effective date for the backstop condition is fast approaching. By mid-2023, retailers will need to remove non-compliant GSL bulbs from their shelves and exclusively stock LEDs. A transitionary enforcement plan will give retailers until the end of February 2023 to avoid reduced penalty fines. Starting July 1, 2023, enforcement will be in full effect with the associated penalties.
For more details about EISA, read our post from earlier this year.
Date of Distribution or Sale in the U.S.
Period of Transition
Explanation
Source: Enforcement Policy Discussion for General Service Lamps (GSLs)
Beginning effective date of the backstop rule through December 31, 2022
Enforcement leniency period
Enforcement Discretion: Leniency to account for transition lead times
January 1, 2023, through February 28, 2023
Progressive enforcement
Enforcement Discretion: Warning notices in consideration of transition lead times
March 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023
Enforcement Discretion: Reduced penalties in consideration of transition lead times
Beginning July 1, 2023
Enforcement flexibilities end
Full enforcement of the GSL rules
Program impacts and questions
EISA’s push toward an all-LED market will be a positive change for energy efficiency and shoppers. Customers who haven’t already made the switch will see energy savings from LEDs and utilities will benefit from this reduced energy usage. In the immediate term, utilities have some work to do to reassess programs that have incentivized LEDs for years—we estimate up to 95% of products that are currently incentivized in residential programs fall under the GSL definition. EISA will have a smaller, but significant, impact on commercial lighting programs as commercial end-use products such as tubes and troffers will remain unaffected.
With retail shelves consisting of entirely LED bulbs, consumers won’t have the same efficient versus inefficient choice to make for most lighting products. This lack of an inefficient option means utilities cannot incentivize customers to make the more efficient choice. While this will have a positive effect on energy consumption, it will greatly reduce the savings potential for retail programs that rely on lighting as a cost-efficient measure. Utilities may try to incentivize higher quality LEDs, like ENERGY STAR certified bulbs, but may struggle to prove that their program incentives prompted customers to choose LEDs (free ridership). This could impact net-to-gross savings, as well. Long-term measurements like lifetime savings could also significantly affect program viability as the long-life of LEDs reduces the need for future replacements.
There also remain key questions around how this change will affect low-or-moderate (LMI) income customers. EISA does include “enforcement discretion” in LMI communities that may feel a disproportionate impact from removing the cheapest bulbs (halogens) from shelves. Some programs may continue to incentivize LED bulbs for LMI customers but shifting baselines could reduce savings if retailers no longer have inefficient GSLs in stock.
Take action now
These changes have been in sight for a long time and many utility portfolios no longer heavily rely on retail lighting savings. However, utilities must prepare for losing the high volume and cost-effectiveness of LED bulb sales and the resulting savings gap in many portfolios as soon as 2023. There is no single solution or quick fix, so utilities will need to assess the impact EISA will have on their programs and find new, cost-effective measures or program types to replace any lost lighting savings to drive engagement and customer satisfaction.
Here’s where to start:
Talk to your commission and evaluator. The impact of this legislation and how you claim savings will vary from utility to utility. As mentioned, some commissions may allow for reduced savings, but there is no guarantee how long these will last. It is important to have those conversations, understand the impact and plan for the future.
Evaluate your retail measure mix. While the loss of cost-effectiveness and volume of lighting for residential programs will be significant, there are other high-impact retail measures to add to your incentive mix including air filters, advanced power strips, spray foam, and more. Getting these alternative incentives in place will help people save energy and money while making up for the savings lost from lighting. Talk to our channel delivery team and start evaluating your retail options for 2023 and beyond.
New programs, pilots and more. New retail measures are only part of the solution. Improved customer engagement through demand response, innovative pilots, and expanded offers for underserved audiences are all pieces to the puzzle. At the same time as the EISA legislation goes into effect, we’ll see the Inflation Reduction Act adding unprecedented opportunity for people across the country. Have a conversation with our team of energy efficiency experts on what the next five years will look like for your program as we enter the next phase of energy efficiency programs.
Stay tuned to Energy Forum. Over the next few months, we’ll have content on all the above including new measures and perspectives from our retail partners, innovative program types and delivery models, and how the future of energy efficiency is beginning to take shape.
Blog .
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a future where all homes are energy-efficient is now within reach. One of its most impactful approaches is the HOMES rebate program. With policy roots as far back as 2009, it gets to the heart of decarbonization by setting aside $4.3 billion specifically for whole home retrofits. From insulation and air sealing to appliance installation and HVAC replacements, this program’s broad and holistic approach to efficiency makes it stand out. What makes this program unique?It holds contractors and installers accountable for their work by leveraging performance-based incentives. Rebates are paid to them based on your home’s actual energy savings after installation. These types of performance-based incentives help ensure high-quality installations, putting the risk and responsibility on installers to get the job done right. All you’ll need to worry about is agreeing to a project price within your budget. The best part? There are plenty of rebates available to help keep costs down. How are rebates determined?First and foremost, the rebates available through the HOMES program aren’t restricted by income. They are determined by the actual performance of your whole-home energy efficiency and electrification improvements. However, it’s important to note that improvements must yield energy savings of at least 20% to participate in this program. Once this initial threshold is met, single-family home retrofits with modeled energy savings of 20%–35% can receive up to $2,000, and projects with modeled energy savings above 35% can receive up to $4,000 in rebates. Does this program help people with low-or moderate-income (LMI)?The HOMES rebate program helps level the playing field so Americans with the highest energy burdens can finally afford much-needed upgrades. How? Rebates are doubled for LMI households (individuals making less than 80% of the area’s median income). That means a retrofit for a low-income household with a projected energy savings of over 35% could get a rebate as high as $8,000. Furthermore, contractors can claim a $200 rebate per under resourced home they work on. With these incentives in place, we expect to see a rise in affordable, energy-efficient housing over the next decade. Can the HOMES rebates be combined with other incentives?Yes! The IRA does not prohibit combining HOMES rebates with federal tax credits like 25C (Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit), or with state and utility rebate programs. This “incentive stacking” or “double dipping” will encourage more households to pursue energy efficiency upgrades. However, people should note that the IRA does block participants of the HOMES rebate program from receiving some funds from other federal grants or rebates—including the new High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act. Sounds great! How can my household participate?For now, just hang tight. Funds will be dispersed on a local level. Over the next 10 years, $4.3 billion will flow through state energy offices into the homes of Americans across the nation. As a result, existing programs will have to be amended, or entirely new ones designed, opening the door for new technology partners and implementors like us to make an impact. We look forward to rolling out the amazing benefits of this program soon. Here are the sample rebate scenarios for a single-family detached home.
Blog .
Austin, TX (November 1, 2022)— CLEAResult, North America’s largest energy efficiency solutions provider, introduced today its latest utility program innovation tool, CLEAResult ATLAS™ Qualify. This new validation service fills a needed gap for utilities by taking the leg work out of matching with the energy-saving opportunities most relevant to them. “We’re addressing one of the energy sector’s oldest pain points with this product—prioritizing low-and-moderate income customers. Having a technology solution that can verify people’s income through multiple paths is a game changer,” said Divakar Jandhyala, CLEAResult’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, “There’s nothing else like it on the market.” CLEAResult ATLAS™ Qualify automates the verification process from start to finish, transforming it from a burdensome challenge into a low-effort task. For the first time, utilities and customers alike will be able to easily determine program and incentive eligibility. Once qualified, customers receive relevant recommendations, or are routed to the related program offerings. Simultaneously, utilities reduce administration time and mistakes, allowing them to focus on connecting people to the solutions that fit their needs best. The result? A better experience for everyone. This unique solution includes:A rate code module that automates the search process for identifying eligible customersAn income rating service for automatic data modeling and comprehensive record evaluation using CLEAResult’s exclusive data partnerA traditional document review module to determine income eligibility CLEAResult ATLAS™ Qualify is powerful as a stand-alone tool, or it can be combined with other products in the CLEAResult ATLAS™ catalog for seamless integration with legacy systems, partner ecosystems and third-party data sources. For instance, customer data can be paired with CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights for a deeper understanding of the market or linked with CLEAResult ATLAS™ Connect to quickly guide customers toward their next best action. This latest CLEAResult product release demonstrates the vital role analytics and automation play in reaching under resourced communities. The more this sector innovates, the more it’s able to lift the burden of energy costs from vulnerable households—a key priority of the Inflation Reduction Act. For more details and future updates on CLEAResult ATLAS™, visit the company’s technology page. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com Amber Tester Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
Our Carbon Consulting leads, Keri Macklin and Rob Beckwith, shared their insights on carbon reduction through energy efficiency in our September webinar. In case you missed it or want to revisit, we’ve put together some notes and video highlights with our top lessons learned:
Improving energy efficiency should be an organization’s first priority. Energy is the greatest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Energy efficiency is among the least expensive and most effective ways to reduce GHG emissions.
Lowering baseline usage before pursuing other carbon reduction measures will shorten the path to carbon neutral/net zero.
This will also reduce overall decarbonization costs by lowering the need for other measures (e.g. solar installation and carbon offsets).
Start with an energy efficiency assessment. Research from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) concludes that up to half of GHG emissions can be eliminated through energy efficiency alone. Other elements to address include electrification, onsite renewable energy and fugitive emissions.
The Inflation Reduction Act will make billions of dollars available for energy efficiency projects. Initiatives include the GHG Reduction Fund, the Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program, and the Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit program. These and other efforts will provide tax incentives for businesses and reduce upfront costs.
Executive support and a determined team leader are essential for successful decarbonization. A study from the U.K. indicates that implementation rates remain the same regardless of project costs and payback periods. Sustained commitment to change can improve these rates.
Four steps to get your business started
Appoint a champion of GHG reduction to ensure that the project gets proper attention
Ensure executive support for energy efficiency projects
Create a path and a structure in the organization to make these projects a priority
Measure your successes so all stakeholders know how you are doing
Webinar .
Austin, TX (October 6, 2022)—CLEAResult, the largest provider of energy efficiency services in Canada for residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) customers, is gearing up to quickly support the new and expanded energy savings programs announced by Ontario’s Ministry of Energy, Todd Smith, on Tuesday. The ministerial directive increased funding for the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) energy efficiency programs by $342 million, bringing the total budget to over $1 billion, and introduced two new initiatives aimed at lowering costs for consumers and improving grid reliability. Energy efficiency remains the cleanest and most cost-effective solution for Canada’s rising electricity demand, and the additional funding is further validation of the past success and tremendous potential of energy efficiency in Ontario. The expansion is expected to begin in Spring 2023 with a new residential demand response program that pays people to save energy, targeted support for greenhouse growers in southwest Ontario, plus enhancements to Save On Energy’s existing Business Retrofit and Local Initiatives Programs. CLEAResult works with households and businesses across Ontario every day to reduce their energy costs in support of the IESO’s current programs. “We're thrilled to see Minister Smith continue to invest in securing reliable, affordable electricity for Ontarians through comprehensive energy efficiency initiatives," said Ryan Shaw, CLEAResult’s Senior Vice President of Client Delivery in Canada. “Long-term grid reliability is the goal, and we’re honored to be a part of the solution. Our role is to make sure people see the benefits—from saving money to keeping their businesses competitive—the positive impacts of this decision will be felt by everyone.” The company’s recent partnerships, acquisitions and experience in Canada give the team great confidence in their ability to turn the announcement into action. “Spring is coming fast, but we’ll be more than ready,” Shaw added. Over the summer, to expand their residential capabilities in Canada. The company also acquired ChooseEV earlier this year, an industry-leading provider of educational tools and resources for businesses and individuals looking to adopt electric vehicles as part of their sustainability efforts. More recently, CLEAResult announced a partnership with distributed energy resource leader, , to provide customer-friendly demand response solutions designed with scale in mind. The company has also been an active partner in implementing many C&I efficiency programs throughout Canada, including support for various demand response initiatives over the past year. “Our team is looking for every opportunity to invest in, develop and train a skilled workforce to support Ontario’s energy efficiency needs,” Shaw emphasized. “It’s the fastest way to reliably meet demand and get savings into people’s hands.” In total, these new initiatives are estimated to save consumers over $650 million in energy costs by 2025 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by three million tonnes over the lifetime of the improvements. CLEAResult’s commitment to is well-aligned with Ontario’s sustainability and climate goals. The company also offers carbon consulting services for other organizations looking to accelerate their energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts. Visit clearesult.ca About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com Amber Tester Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn. Today, we’re celebrating Energy Efficiency Day with a renewed sense of purpose. With growing investment and optimism in the industry, we’re seeing opportunities to help at every turn. Just yesterday, we learned that the government of Ontario is increasing their investment in energy efficiency to over $1 billion to help people and businesses save money and address rising electricity demands. Business leaders across North America are energized by the increase in investment and attention on reducing costs while helping the environment. I frequently hear the same questions “where can we save the most?”, “How should we get started?”, “which changes will have the biggest impact?”, and most often—“where do we focus our funding for the biggest return on investment?” Saving money and energy is important for homes and businesses alike, but today, I’ll share how we’re helping commercial and industrial (C&I) customers identify the biggest trees in the forest of opportunity as they work towards creating a sustainable future. Energy efficiency IS the starting point. Most businesses today are approaching energy savings with fresh eyes. Many have completed energy-saving lighting upgrades, but with electricity demand and costs rapidly on the rise and environmental sustainability concerns also top of mind, many commercial leaders are eager to do more. Each potential change comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. However, any way you look at it, the cheapest and cleanest kilowatt-hour is the one you don’t use, so every sustainability program must begin with energy efficiency. While the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency is well-known, it’s no longer just a “nice-to-have energy resource.” Today, reducing demand is mission critical for a sustainable, reliable and affordable supply of energy. C&I facilities can massively reduce their costs and their environmental impact with energy efficiency. I see many companies reaching savings of 30% or more, and some even higher when they implement a comprehensive energy management program. One Fortune 500 national commercial food producer we work with has been collaborating with local utility partners to reduce energy and water waste since 2016. They’ve taken efficiency to heart, working it into project after project, and the biggest question I hear from them now is “what else can we do?” because they’re not slowing down. Holistic strategies make sustainable choices easier for everyone.Beyond lighting, energy efficiency upgrades can grow complex and cost more up front, but the returns and environmental impact are significant. This is especially true for commercial buildings under 50,000 square feet which consume 44% of the energy used in all commercial buildings. These buildings are home to many communities’ small businesses who are constrained by margins, capital and local resources to make the necessary improvements. Our CLEAResult team members, along with our utility partners, have consistently found ways to help businesses overcome these barriers, and several successful strategies have included: Using midstream programs to meet C&I customers with savings at the point of purchase. Cultivating a Strategic Energy Management (SEM) mindset across the business. Streamlining C&I participation in demand response programs and technology solutions. All three strategies are part of a holistic approach to saving energy. We pair midstream incentives with C&I marketing campaigns to help businesses choose more energy-efficient models when essential equipment needs to be replaced. This helps contractors recommend higher-efficiency equipment while keeping costs comparable, leading to bigger long-term savings for the business and larger demand reduction for utilities. We’ve also found success bringing in SEM consultants early in the process. These programs guide businesses through the process of creating a comprehensive energy-saving strategy that prioritizes each action or helps them make tradeoffs to maximize value. When facilities are able to manage their own energy systems, the day-to-day impact is clear, and the concept of continuous improvement is built-in from the start. At the grid level, utility-led demand response programs have largely focused on residential customers. But there is a huge opportunity to bring better “smart building” solutions to commercial spaces, and the energy savings will follow. In 2020, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that C&I customers accounted for just over 3% of utility demand response program participants, but their involvement led to a whopping 22% of the total annual electricity savings. That’s a game-changing difference! In the past, environmental sustainability may not have been top of mind for every building manager. Today, we can clearly see a shift. During my many customer visits, I hear first-hand how equally important it is to have a positive environmental impact while reducing operating costs and increasing productivity. When we’re able to show them a plan that improves all three, moving forward is a no brainer. It is so much fun to lead an organization with a mission to change the way people use energy. I’m able to show other companies that energy efficiency makes great economic sense and allows them to reach their sustainability goals at the same time. It protects our planet, and everyone benefits—businesses, utilities and the communities we serve. Happy Energy Efficiency Day! We have a lot to look forward to. Talk soon, Rich
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We’ve spent the last few months talking about workforce development, the future of the energy industry, and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. It’s never been more important as the Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate energy efficiency, requiring even more talent and expertise. We’ve featured various perspectives in our webinar and recent blog conversation, but we wanted to highlight some of the key insights gathered from our own internal teams. As the largest energy efficiency implementer in North America, our hiring team knows firsthand the challenges our industry faces and the growing need to find and train the talent our clients and industry needs.
The current job market presents challenges but also massive opportunity
Recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports show close to 3.5% unemployment, which is very close to “full employment”. On top of that, high rates of inflation have helped to create a market where there are more than twice the number of jobs than job seekers.
The good news is remote work has evolved since the pandemic began, and fully dispersed teams can now tap into previously unattainable talent pools with ease. Conversely, non-remote roles (i.e., home energy auditors) require organizations to be competitive with wages, provide more flexibility than ever, and provide on-the-job training just to have a shot to get and keep the talent they need. This is great news for job seekers and requires us to be at the top of our game to find and retain the workforce that will help shape the future of the energy industry.
Training, benefits, and support are the key to keeping talent happy
We are a huge proponent of building the talent you need. As a growing company in a growth industry with great long-term opportunities, we provide immense value for our entry-level roles like Energy Technicians and Program Coordinators. Once we hire for one of these positions, we can build the skills needed to get someone up to speed by helping them complete training and certifications that allow them to expand their skillset for the long term.
Outside of training, working as a remote-first organization not only helps us reach our carbon reduction goals, it also allows us to find the best talent wherever they may be. We allow for flexibility in our work, which is a great attractor for many professionals in the current workforce.
Big changes in the energy efficiency space are driving workforce development
With more and more states driving ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals (even before the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act), we should see more skills training programs with ranges of offerings from creation, upskilling or transferrable skills. Organizations that can provide their basic skills training in house and harness talent from these programs with progressive career path offerings will help shape the workforce of these industries for years to come.
With so many stakeholders involved in accomplishing these goals, there can be a lot of uncertainty. That’s why we need to establish progressive guidelines for applicable skills and training standards that drive consistency among the workforce and the organizations who employ them – just like there are regulatory standards for the work being performed.
Growing a diverse workforce takes focus and a local touch
One of the many challenges is to approach diversity in a way that is comprehensive, thoughtful and measurable. Most of the information we can gather through the application and onboarding process focuses on visible diversity but doesn’t account for other factors such as sexual orientation or neurodiversity. With the data we do have, we’re able to define baselines, then create and drive initiatives to support our diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
We also want to make sure utility programs across the country are represented by members of their community. Success at this level is most impactful when it’s led by a local presence. Some of the most successful initiatives we’ve seen in this area have been driven by transparency and year-round participation in the local community. Candidates and communities can sense the inauthenticity when a recruiter only comes to town once a year for a job fair. But, if a local leader comes to career days, is a mentor and connector for candidates interested in our industry, and also happens to be at the job fair, it’s much more successful.
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Hiring can be simple and swift. Trust the process, trust your teams and be excited to bring new people onboard. Candidates have a lot of options, and we need to create excitement and engagement as much as possible throughout the selection process. There has never been a more exciting time to be working in the energy efficiency space and the next several years will only see our needs grow across the U.S. and Canada as we move towards a more efficient, sustainable future.
For more perspectives on workforce development, check out our conversation with Massachusetts contractor HomeWorks Energy or the key takeaways from our July workforce development webinar.
You can also learn more about working with us and find all career opportunities on our Careers Page.
Blog .
The recent unveiling of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) marks a pivotal moment for the United States and our planet. This landmark piece of legislation encourages us to transition towards a new era of energy efficiency and decarbonization. It’s an exciting first step on the journey to making our world more environmentally sustainable.
Here are our top 5 takeaways on the energy impacts of the IRA:
1. America’s largest investment yet
This is the largest investment in energy efficiency initiatives ever made in the United States. With $369 billion earmarked for climate change and carbon emission reduction, it will drastically change the way people use energy. What’s more, a record $60 billion of these investments will go to environmental justice initiatives, including reducing pollution and making clean energy more accessible.
2. Playing the long game
The IRA creates a predictable timeline for innovation by introducing tax credits that will be in place for a minimum of 10 years. Talk about a game-changer! Such a drastic increase in predictability will speed up the pace of investment in the energy transition. Thanks to this historic piece of legislation, the clean energy revolution can gain momentum like never before.
3. Keeping it local
Funding for many IRA initiatives will flow through state energy offices, giving each state the opportunity to request funds and distribute them. While it’s not yet clear how the funding will interact with current energy efficiency programs, our experts are keeping close tabs. Our decades of energy program management and customer engagement experience make us the ideal partner to roll out IRA initiatives on the local level.
4. Energy efficiency for all
It’s been well-documented that energy costs place a disproportionate burden on people from low- to-moderate-income (LMI) communities. Typically, these folks are at an unfair advantage due to older, less energy-efficient housing options, or they lack the upfront funds to make energy efficiency improvements. But now, that’s all about to change. This bill sets money aside specifically for income-qualified people and gives them easier access to programs and funding. For instance, folks who earn 80% or less than their area’s median income would qualify for $1600 off weatherization products, or even $8,000 off an energy-efficient heat pump.
5. Two paths towards energy efficiency
Our LMI communities and program managers have a lot to look forward to with two new initiatives specifically focused on their needs. The first one, the HOMES Rebate Program, is designed to help people create the energy-efficient home of their dreams. It sets aside $4.3 billion for implementing comprehensive home energy retrofits in single-family homes and multifamily buildings. For those unfamiliar with the term “retrofitting”, it means making improvements to the systems inside a building or the structure itself after its initial construction. A common example would be to retrofit weatherization to a poorly insulated house.
The second initiative, the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program, provides $4.5 billion to develop and implement instant rebates for home electrification. This will enable roughly one million income-qualified households to go electric. As a result, some of our nation’s most energy insecure folks will finally get the help they need.
We live in exciting times. The IRA is the single largest climate investment in American history. From key measures that help offset the upfront costs of energy efficiency upgrades to electric vehicle grants, it tackles the transition to clean energy from multiple angles. Here’s to a future fueled by the extraordinary groundwork being laid today.
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This article was originally posted on LinkedIn.
It’s an exciting time to be a leader in energy efficiency. People, programs, and now policy are all accelerating energy savings and decarbonization goals in support of the American electric grid—and there’s good reason to be optimistic. Over the next 10 years, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will invest nearly $370 billion to address climate change and reduce U.S. carbon emissions by an estimated 40% by 2030.
The IRA takes a long-term approach at changing the way people use energy. It will certainly step up the pace on many of the trends I laid out in my previous blog, including focusing on disadvantaged communities and holistic home upgrades like weatherization, as well as offering incentives to accelerate it all.
There are three core concepts represented in this bill that resonate with everything our industry is already working to achieve—helping people fund projects faster, taking an ‘energy efficiency everywhere’ approach, and planning to scale up as early as possible.
1. More support for our most vulnerable communities.
There are two major energy efficiency programs set forth in the IRA, the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) Program and the HOMES Rebate Program. The first focuses on electrification and the other provides incentives for whole-home retrofits, and both prioritize or increase funding for income-qualified customers.
Under the HEEHR discounts, for example, folks who earn 80% or less than their area’s median income would qualify for $8,000 off an energy-efficient heat pump which could reduce the electricity needed for heating by as much as 50%. These discounts make electrification upgrades more affordable to people with the highest energy burdens, resulting in meaningful cost savings.
The demand reduction is significant for utilities as well. By making energy-saving improvements accessible to the least efficient homes, less new infrastructure will be needed to meet rising demand. Fortunately, utilities have already been focused on unlocking the potential of income-qualified programs for many years, and now we have an enormous opportunity to put this experience to good use.
2. Energy efficiency is now mission critical.
People and utilities want reliable clean energy at affordable prices—and energy efficiency is how we get there. For customers, this means embracing tried-and-true technologies like smart thermostats to make using less energy easier. For utilities, it means adopting successful demand-response program models that reward people for enrolling their thermostats and other smart devices to be managed efficiently during periods of peak demand.
It also means engaging with communities early and developing an educated workforce of energy professionals to get the job done. The IRA offers states $200 million in grants to do just that—create training programs that increase the number of climate-ready contractors.
When we’re all participating in reducing energy use, everybody wins.
3. Be proactive.
There are big opportunities in the IRA, and we need to be ready to meet the moment. While funding distribution may vary state by state, it’s clear that everything is scaling up.
Our once-niche energy ecosystem is growing and planning early is essential. Program participation will likely increase across the board as tax credits grab people’s attention. Demand for energy will continue to rise as we see more uptake in electrification, especially with personal and commercial vehicles. The faster these trends take off, the bigger impact energy efficiency and electrification programs will have on people’s lives.
So get ahead of the game. Start those internal conversations. Reach out to program implementors like CLEAResult for guidance early on. That’s what we’re here for, and we’re excited to share everything we’ve learned.
The impact of the IRA will be shown over time, but the reason for optimism is clear. Our energy efficiency ecosystem is stronger than ever, and this bill will speed up our success.
We have 10 years of optimism ahead of us. Let’s make the most of it.
More to come…
Rich
Blog .
Workforce development has been an increasing priority for the energy efficiency industry for some time. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has pushed growing and training the future energy efficiency workforce to a critical need.
In our July workforce development webinar, we brought together perspectives from across the industry but did not touch on an important one—the contractor perspective. So, I followed up with Brie Minarik, Director of Training and Safety at HomeWorks Energy, to talk training, employee retention and more.
HomeWorks Energy is the largest Mass Save Home Performance Contractor (HPC) and one of our trusted partners. Massachusetts consistently ranks in the top energy efficient states and recently committed to some of the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction (GHG) plans in the nation. These ambitious goals are fully reliant upon having a robust and trained workforce. HomeWorks Energy has over 500 team members helping Massachusetts reach their energy conservation and efficiency goals through home energy assessments, weatherization, HVAC upgrades, and more.
Brie has been with HomeWorks Energy for almost 8 years. She is passionate about helping people on every level whether that is energy savings, career growth, or simply working safely and making it home for dinner.
1. Over the last 12–18 months, which roles have been the most challenging or taken the longest to fill?
All of them—it’s that kind of market. It has really been a tough year to find the right candidates and get them in critical roles. The pandemic contributed to more candidates being apprehensive about working in a role that entails going into people’s homes. While those concerns have begun alleviating, we are now battling inflation and facing a competitive job market that provides higher wages for entry-level positions.
I think that’s true across the board, from our high-volume positions (home energy specialist, weatherization installer, brand ambassador) to our more specialized and individual positions. Brand ambassadors and canvassers have been particularly hard to find. Thankfully, the ones we have successfully hired and trained this year are sticking.
2. Are you able to find trained/certified staff or are you providing the training to less experienced staff?
There are certain positions where the candidate needs to come in with their own expertise (electrician, HVAC install manager, etc.) but for our high-volume roles, we have extensive training programs built to get new employees hitting the ground running. We always joke that our Home Energy Specialist Training is like a bootcamp; we run them through 6 weeks of intense classroom and field training and then do ongoing trainings as they get up and work in the field.
We are the only HPC to provide a one-week in-person classroom program with a hands-on training to onboard weatherization installers. We also have an entire library of online training through our HomeWorks University for all our employees to access. Some have built-in systems of completion rates to be considered for a promotion. Our employees are our greatest asset so we do our best to invest in them and we continue to look for more ways we can improve the training we provide.
3. Have you had to make any internal changes to better retain staff?
We have made some adjustments to compensation and continue to stay within the program's limitations. We recently rolled out a rewards system for our home energy specialists and heating and cooling sales specialists based on hitting specific milestones. Instead of tenure, incentives are based on lifetime carbon savings and can earn them rewards such as a company car, an extra percentage on their installs, and much more.
Additionally, we have been working on revitalizing our culture post-pandemic including learning and development with daily trainings, mental health, and charitable opportunities to help keep our employees engaged and attract top talent.
4. How has the recent expansion of climate goals in Massachusetts and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) shifted the focus of your workforce development?
Ramping up our heat pump installation capabilities is a top priority. Right now, we have three crews that only do mini-split style heat pumps and we have plans to keep growing that team. We are mostly doing it through internal promotions from our weatherization install teams. For us as a company, we know the quality of their work and trust that we are promoting the right people into these new install teams.
Our biggest challenge right now is finding electricians. Electrification requires many electricians (licensed no less!) and every company is scrambling for them with a very limited pool available. This will be a continuing area of need as we help support more and more electrification goals.
5. There are many initiatives within the industry to bring more diversity into our fields. Please share challenges and/or successes you have had with hiring more diverse team members.
Our weatherization team is our most diverse department, and we support efforts to improve diversity and inclusivity in the green industry workforce. We utilize our training and support systems to provide employees with multiple career paths from that initial entry-level position. We provide a mix of hands-on and required online training coupled with in-field evaluations as part of the promotion path. Our compensation structure works hand-in-hand with this training process, as we reward quality and efficiency through incentives. This allows us to bring diversity into many roles beyond entry-level positions, including crew lead, field manager, and now DMS installer.
We also have taken advantage of LinkedIn Learning to complete training on diversity and inclusivity from experts in the field. We have run a couple of group sessions, watching and discussing material over a couple of weeks. We have been able to gather important learnings as individuals and make strategic choices within the company to make improvements with regard to diversity and inclusivity.
6. Any closing thoughts?
Every business is trying to hire new employees right now and it often feels like a race to the finish with no end in sight. While it may be difficult to find and hire team members, we have found that one of the best strategies to stay resilient is investing in existing employees. Our training programs took time to build, and we are continuously re-evaluating, tweaking and improving. Workforce development is the hot topic at almost every conference in the energy efficiency world, I hope that sharing our successes and challenges at HomeWorks Energy will help other contractors figure out how to tackle the challenges we face.
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Check out the key takeaways from our July webinar for more on workforce development, or watch the full video on YouTube.
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Austin, TX and Louisville, KY (September 1, 2022)—CLEAResult, the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition, and decarbonization solutions in North America, and Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based SaaS company with the friendliest distributed energy platform on the planet, announced a new partnership today to supercharge customer engagement for demand-side management programs. The two companies are offering an end-to-end, distributed energy resource (DER) management solution that meets the rapid increase in demand and changing operational needs utilities are preparing for, especially in light of the Inflation Reduction Act. CLEAResult’s proven experience with customer outreach and engagement for energy efficiency and energy sustainability services programs complements Virtual Peaker’s SaaS platform, which includes demand forecasting, customer engagement, and distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) solutions. “Together, our teams will deliver the best of both worlds–easier program participation for customers and simpler management for utilities,” said Divakar Jandhyala, CLEAResult’s Chief Product & Technology Officer. “We’re proactively removing participation barriers to improve the experience for everyone.” The partnership integrates the CLEAResult ATLAS™ platform with Virtual Peaker’s distributed energy platform, connecting customers’ smart devices with advanced demand management tools that give utilities a simple and easy-to-manage overview of customers’ energy habits. "We’re excited to partner with CLEAResult and look forward to working together to rapidly scale demand side management," said Kirsten Millar, Director of Policy and Partnerships. "Today's partnership announcement advances our mission to accelerate the adoption of DERs. By working with industry leaders like CLEAResult and bringing our technology platforms together, we will provide quantifiable cost savings and efficiencies to our utility clients.” The CLEAResult-Virtual Peaker partnership brings utilities powerful solutions to address growing energy efficiency and demand challenges like engaging with hard-to-reach communities, individual device management, program optimization and more. Contact CLEAResult’s Energy Transition experts to see how your program can start planning improvements today. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com Amber Tester Director Corporate Communications About Virtual PeakerVirtual Peaker is a cloud-based distributed energy company that empowers modern utilities to build the grid of the future and meet global decarbonization goals. The SaaS company’s platform suites unify all aspects of DER management, from DERMS to customer engagement and load forecasting. Virtual Peaker is a remote-first company that currently employs more than 45 people in various locations across the United States. Thanks to a recent $16.6 million venture funding round led by global technology and sustainability investors, Virtual Peaker is expanding its support for forward-thinking utilities and partnerships that can lead the transformation to a more sustainable electric grid. For more information, visit www.virtual-peaker.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter (@VirtualPeaker). Media contactsMark Ray | mark@markrayassociates.com | 1-802-355-0145Amber Mullaney | amullaney@virtual-peaker.com | 1-502-689-0249
Press Release .
Our recent workforce development webinar, led by Senior Practice Consultant Nicole Davis, featured perspectives from guests across the energy efficiency and training industry. We had an active discussion about how the industry can train and enable the future energy efficiency workforce.
Here are our top takeaways and clips.
1. The time to build the next energy efficiency workforce is now.
With a widening gap between supply and demand for workers with green skills and billions of dollars in climate and energy funding on the way, it’s vital that utilities, implementers, and state energy offices focus on developing the future of our industry. This need has escalated with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). State governments will have an unprecedented opportunity to fund clean energy programs, increasing the demand for certified energy efficiency employees.
2. Focus on underrepresented communities to help grow the workforce.
To meet the growing needs of the energy industry, new or local offices must fully represent the diversity in the communities they serve. This will not only grow the workforce but also build stronger connections with customers. Organizations like Rising Sun Center for Opportunity are actively training youth from disadvantaged communities in their Climate Careers program and have also spearheaded efforts to grow the number of women in the energy industry. We’re passionate about working with organizations like Rising Sun and other diversity partners and are working actively with our clients to help their initiatives.
3. Trade allies need education and confidence to help drive market transformation.
With so many utility programs relying on a vast network of trade allies, nothing can stall or stop momentum like a lack of information. New technologies often lead to a steeper learning curve and higher adoption comes with comfort and familiarity. Staff may need to be retrained to build confidence in new platforms and educated on upcoming market trends. Building Performance Institute, Inc (BPI) offers a wide variety of certifications, including Building Science Principles and Healthy Housing, that prepares staff for energy efficiency jobs. As new technologies like heat pumps become more prevalent, there will be a greater need to coordinate with organizations like BPI, utilities, implementers and more to accelerate market transformation.
4. Weaving together multiple funding sources is difficult, but necessary.
While utilities may have dollars set aside for workforce development, programs can often be held to cost-effectiveness standards making it harder to invest in long-term efforts like training and development. Fortunately, many income-qualified programs have already shown success weaving together federal dollars and utility funding. These types of innovative program designs should be a blueprint for many states and utilities to work together on funded programs. The IRA will grant states $200 million to develop training programs for home energy and electrification contractors and training programs like Rising Sun’s Climate Careers program are seeing more money come through via philanthropic organizations and grants. While navigating cost-effectiveness and funds from multiple sources is a challenge, the impact of doing it successfully can allow utility and state-run programs to thrive.
For more on workforce development, check out the full webinar on our YouTube page and stay tuned to Energy Forum for more content and perspectives.
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Do you remember a time when you were excited about innovations in the energy space? I’ve spent most of my career in the energy efficiency industry, so I’ve seen the ebb and flow of new technologies burst on to the scene as potential energy conservation measures. But I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I was excited by anything emerging. That is, until several months ago, when I stumbled upon a YouTube channel called Undecided with Matt Ferrell.
Finding quality info on YouTube can be fairly chaotic (we won’t attempt to address why social media algorithms work the way they do), but when I started watching Matt’s videos, I had to admit that YouTube had me pegged! Matt’s channel explores how sustainable and smart technologies impact our lives, and it includes well-researched videos on topics like electric vehicles, solar panels, renewable energy, and the topic that sparked the idea for this blog—heat pumps.
Heat pumps are widely regarded as the heart of a strategy to “electrify everything”, which is one of our best paths to reducing carbon emissions using existing technology. The concept has been written about prominently, like in this 2020 Sierra Club study, and is the foundation for several transformative market efforts such as the NYS Clean Heat Initiative. However, heat pumps aren’t exactly… emerging. They’ve been around for a while, but they haven’t seen the adoption we’d expect.
To discuss this and other truly emerging cleantech – particularly on the heels of the historic Inflation Reduction Act – I decided to go to the nicest YouTube creator out there, Matt Ferrell himself. Following are his takes on the technology that can help us change the way people use energy.
Your June video on heat pumps was what gave me the idea to collaborate on this blog post, and just last month the Washington Post published an article on how heat pumps could help us comfortably get through future heat waves. Do you think heat pumps are finally about to go mainstream?
I’ve definitely become a believer in “heat pump all the things.” Two common issues with heat pumps in the past have been the higher upfront cost and the lower performance in super cold climates. Both of those have seen significant improvements in recent years. Today you don’t have to look very far to find cost-competitive options, like ductless systems that don’t have the high-cost premium. Any slightly higher upfront equipment cost is made up for in a few years from the reduced operating costs. There are also systems available that have much improved cold climate efficiency. There are some systems now that even work down to -13°F. Bottom line: I really think it’s about to go mainstream.
Besides heat pumps, what are the top three technologies you've seen that have the most potential to help the average person reduce their energy consumption and/or transition to cleaner energy?
I think I’m going to have to cheat with this one. It’s basically dozens of devices all rolled into one giant category—smart home technologies. I’m talking about smart thermostats, smart light switches, motion and temperature sensors, etc. With connected devices your home can coordinate its heating and cooling cycles based on other activities. For instance, the system can learn when you’re home or away and find patterns to improve efficiency based on that. It may also allow you to participate in utility peak saving programs. Devices can talk amongst themselves to find efficiencies, like smart EV chargers and energy monitoring smart home tech that can charge your car when it’s the cheapest or from excess solar production from your roof. When the house knows how much electricity is currently getting used and where, it can make intelligent choices to save you money and energy automatically. The possibilities feel endless.
Emily’s industry insights: Jumping off Matt’s answer here. For utilities, when the house “knows” how much energy is being used, it means these devices share data that’s extremely valuable for managing community demand, maintaining a reliable grid and avoiding the need for new power plants. This can fall under many categories, but commonly includes support for demand-response programs and distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS).
I know you look at cost and market potential when you are evaluating new technologies for your videos. Is there one technology that has struck you as so cost-effective and promising that we should all be surprised that it's not widely available yet?
This may have jumped into my head because of how recently I covered it, but ventless heat pump dryers. I’ve never come across one in person yet since most of my family and friends have either standard electric or gas dryers in their homes. They aren’t that much more expensive than a standard dryer but can easily recoup that premium in short order from electricity savings. The U.S. can learn a lot from the EU market for home heating, cooling and appliances. I’ve spoken to quite a few people in Europe that have heat pump dryers and absolutely love them, which raises the question, “why aren’t they everywhere in the U.S.?” I’m planning on getting one for my home.
In contrast to the last question: have you ever come across a technology that you realized was not ready for "prime time" such that you didn't feel comfortable reviewing it? And if so, did you make a video anyway, or did you hold onto it for potential future use, provided the technology evolves eventually?
There are definitely technologies and topics I come across that aren’t ready for prime time. Sometimes the technology is incredible in performance, but costs 10 times as much as what we use today. Other times it’s a technology that has promise, but still needs more time in the oven to work out the kinks. I may still touch on them as a sign of where things may be heading if they can work out those issues, but I try to relate that back to what’s currently available.
Bonus question that we’re curious about. Which topics result in the most viewer engagement? What terms or vocabulary seem to resonate most with viewers when you talk about technical concepts? For example, are you getting better feedback when you talk about "electrification", "decarbonization", etc.? We know that these are popular terms within our own industry, but they may not always land with a general audience.
The topics that hit really well are batteries and energy storage, solar panels, and electrification. On that last one there’s a lot of interest in products that are compelling fossil fuel alternatives like EVs, electric lawn mowers, electric snow blowers, etc. If I target a video on decarbonization or climate, they tend to not resonate in the same way.
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For more on emerging climate tech, clean energy and awesomeness in the decarbonization space, subscribe to Matt on YouTube, visit his website, and stay tuned to CLEAResult Energy Forum for news, blogs and more, including our CEO’s latest article on trends he sees from his unique bird’s eye view of the sustainability business.
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Nearly 80% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originate from energy use, and this is good news for businesses looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. By introducing some easy energy-saving measures, you can not only lower your GHG emissions, but your operational costs as well. This blog series will show you what you can do to realize carbon and energy reduction goals.
Turning off idle equipment in your facility can significantly lower your energy consumption. However, many businesses don't realize that some devices only appear powered down when not in use. Most default settings switch equipment to standby mode so they can power up again quickly. Many of these devices continue to use half as much energy (known as “vampire energy”) in standby mode as they do in operation. Multiplied across your facility, this adds up quickly.
Bonus tip: Ensuring your equipment and lighting is fully turned off also saves energy, plus it lengthens the equipment's lifespan.
Relying solely on manual verification for every device tends to be inefficient and inconsistent. Here are some additional tips on how to reduce your vampire loads system wide.
Automate when possible.
Consider investing in a control system to make energy efficiency convenient for employees.
Install smart thermostats, bulbs and power strips as low-cost ways to immediately lower energy use (smart power strips can automatically turn off connected devices).
Review your company’s computer power management policy and ensure computers are up to date on their power management settings—instructions are available on the ® website.
Replace old equipment.
Upgrade any outdated equipment to ENERGY STAR® qualified models that use less energy in standby mode than standard models.
Check that thermostat schedules are up to date.
Thermostat settings should reflect your current work schedules. Periodically review your schedule settings to ensure maximum HVAC turn down time.
Train staff to turn off equipment when not in use.
Update your office's closing procedures to include fully turning off any electronics that would otherwise go into standby mode.
NOTE: Most motorized equipment should be turned off when not in use with the exception of some large motors. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines or NEMA ratings.
Implementing one or all of these changes will immediately save on energy expenditure and lower your carbon footprint. In our next blog post on this topic, we’ll explore ways that remote workers can lower their home office energy use and related emissions.
For help developing your company’s overall carbon strategy, contact us at carbon@clearesult.com.
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The newly passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes billions of dollars in funding over the next ten years for climate and energy initiatives across the United States. This historic amount of funding will be delivered primarily through state energy offices, and with that opportunity comes questions around program administration, serving the right audience, and finding the right partners to hit state targets.
Our people are energy efficiency experts, and we’re ready to put our decades of energy program management experience to work. We can quickly support state energy offices to deploy federal funds in the most efficient and effective way possible, especially for our most vulnerable community members.
Ready to put a plan together? Email us for support.
A bit about us
CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions in North America with more than 400 active programs. With over 2,000 people dedicated to changing the way we use energy, we can design and implement initiatives like the HOMES Rebate Program or High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program from start to finish to meet the local needs of every state.
We can support state energy offices with:
Rebate processing: We have extensive experience implementing utility rebate programs across the country including incentivizing distributors through midstream programs or offering customers instant point-of-sale rebates while avoiding common pitfalls like “double dipping.” Additionally, we have income verification tools that help people and programs quickly identify the right incentives for their needs.
CLEAResult ATLAS™ Marketplace: Our standalone online marketplace lets people easily purchase discounted energy efficiency products through an engaging ecommerce experience. We have established partnerships with national retailers, manufacturers and distributors that allow us to meet a wide range of fulfillment and efficient product needs, such as automatic rebate validation to confirm eligibility.
Healthier Homes programs: This unique offering focuses on improving indoor-air quality and comfort through traditional energy efficiency measures for underserved communities. The programs are designed to target income-qualified customers most affected by air pollution from highways, bus depots and other transit-heavy locations.
Grant and proposal support: Our proposal team is well-equipped to support the grant application process by leveraging key learnings from ARRA funding submissions and reporting, as well as the hundreds of other regulated state and utility programs we currently oversee nationwide.
Electric vehicle and charging expertise: From driving EV engagement with our ChooseEV Digital Toolkit to growing charging availability with our transportation electrification team, our solutions provide customers a clear and affordable path to EV adoption.
Weatherization training: CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy, streamlines training of WAP installers and auditors from the comfort of their own home. Our WAP-focused curriculum is approved for BPI Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and can be quickly implemented for training the next generation of energy efficiency professionals.
Comprehensive program management: With dedicated local teams across the country and central services like marketing and our national call centers, we can empower state energy offices to scale up as programs grow and demand increases. We can also provide the tracking, analytics and reporting needed to monitor and meet your goals.
This historic opportunity to reshape our energy future will require a combination of technical know-how and customer motivation that our people have spent nearly 25 years developing. Our team is ready and excited to talk about these capabilities and more as these state programs begin to take shape.
Contact us today to get started on a plan for your state.
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In our July webinar, Training the Future Energy Efficiency Workforce, Senior Practice Consultant Nicole Davis led a roundtable discussion about trends, challenges, and solutions in workforce development in the energy efficiency industry. Nicole was joined by Vice President of Energy Efficiency Harrison Grubbs, Wells Brown of Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, and Nancy Kaplan from the Building Performance Institute, Inc (BPI) who provided their organization's perspective on how we find and train the right people to meet ever-growing weatherization, electrification and climate goals.
This free flowing conversation touched on a variety of topics including:
Braiding multiple funding sources to address workforce development needs
Demographic trends and improving representation across the Energy Efficiency industry
Growing training needs as innovative measures increase the need for technical know-how and advanced certification
Enjoy the full conversation below.
Webinar .
One year as CEO of North America’s largest energy efficiency businessThe month of July marked my first year as CLEAResult’s CEO. It’s remarkable how fast it goes, and how much we’ve accomplished in that time. I’m very proud of this company and our people. Our people care deeply about our mission and can identify with our purpose as they live it every day. We know first-hand the choices many people have to make between paying their energy bill and putting food on the table. And with inflation over 8%, that number is growing every day. Last year, we celebrated our 500th home energy remediation project with our utility partner in Memphis. During the ceremony, the woman living there shared with us how far a few hundred dollars in monthly energy savings could go for her family. That is the meaningful difference our work makes in the lives of thousands of people every year, and those stories stick with me. When our clients tell us how much they appreciate the dedication of our team members and how irreplaceable they are—that makes me proud. Our team members are committed and passionate about changing the way people use energy. This is why our impact exceeds expectations time and time again.My role is to connect the dots.I feel very fortunate to lead this organization and speak from a unique vantage point in the industry. We work with hundreds of utilities across the U.S. and Canada. We see what works and what doesn’t across a wide variety of programs. It’s from this perspective that I’m able to see the larger trends at play. I listen to our program team’s success stories where they’ve found ways to overcome the community-specific challenges and grow widespread participation. I speak with our clients – both gas and electric – about what’s most important to them. Surprising to some, there are many similarities and clear patterns affecting our success in all areas. Sharing that big picture perspective is one of the most important things I can do. For example, weatherization is one of the most talked about programs today and for a good reason. Extreme weather events are happening more frequently due to climate change, and this is leading to higher demand for energy. Likewise, as inequality expands alongside inflation, the energy burden families are experiencing can be crushing. The most vulnerable members of our community are those with the least efficient homes. In response, utilities are shifting the funds once set aside for to weatherization and whole home efficiency programs that will have a greater impact on our communities and the grid. This is not just a local issue. We need to speed up energy-saving success everywhere. Energy is a significant part of people’s budgets, and we all need to use less. Two-thirds of low-income households on utility bills. Whether at home or in business, that’s where we can have the biggest impact. We can’t lower folks’ mortgages or reduce the price of gas, but we can save you 20–30% on your energy bill while protecting our planet too.Looking ahead with a macro lens.I see three distinct and interrelated phases happening in real-time under the umbrella of sustainability in energy—Energy Efficiency, Energy Transition and Energy Sustainability Services. Energy Efficiency is using less energy to produce the same or greater amount of power and reliably meet demand.Energy Transition is the continued effort to replace fossil fuel systems with low-carbon energy alternatives that are integrated with the grid and interactive for consumers and providers alike.Energy Sustainability Services combines low-carbon energy production with efficient energy use to realize our challenging and collective goal of reaching net zero. I’ll be sharing more of my observations on each of these phases over the next few months. My hope is that by sharing these trends and connecting the dots, together we can guide our industry in the best direction possible. I’m honored to lead this company, and I share the deep commitment to our mission. Our work is rooted in actions that make a real difference every day. I’m excited to be a part of it and watch our impact continue to expand and grow. Until next time…Rich
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Summer officially began June 21, and our team of subject matter experts isn’t taking a break.
Driving innovation
Our energy transition team hit the pavement at Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) conference, Electrification 2022, and the Forth Roadmap Conference in late June. While opening for a Forth Roadmap Conference Keynote, Alex Scott, Business Development Vice President, spoke to the future of fleet management and fleet customer engagement in addition to the exciting benefits of our ChooseEV acquisition. Together, we offer a richer set of solutions for the adoption of electric vehicles that will continue to benefit our shared energy future.
Leading energy efficiency in the Midwest
You may remember our thought leader, Andrenika Whisenton, Partner Diversity Regional Lead, from the stages of the Association of Energy Services Professionals’ (AESP) Annual Conference, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Midwest Energy Solutions (MES) Conference, and our own webinar, “Emphasizing DEI in Energy”.
Recently, Andrenika stepped onto a new stage to shine a spotlight on the toughest energy issues facing the Midwest. Starting July 1, she joined the MEEA board of directors. Alongside many of our utility partners and other industry experts, Andrenika looks forward to kicking off annual planning at the upcoming board retreat, innovating industry solutions, and supporting MEEA committees and initiatives. We are on the edge of our seats to see the vast impact this group will have in 2022–2023.
Planting seeds of innovation
Jeannie Sikora, Senior Energy Engineer, just wrapped a conversation on the state of agricultural efficiency in a presentation titled “Strategic Energy Management (SEM) for the Agricultural Industry” at the July 17—20 ASABE Annual International meeting. SEM adoption is on the rise for the agricultural industry thanks to cost-effective utility-led energy efficiency programs that create both savings and happy customers. Stay tuned to our social channels for additional conference learnings.
These are the highlights from June and July alone; join our experts in the second half of summer at one of the below events.
Upcoming summer events:
NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce) International Business & Leadership Conference
When: August 2—5, 2022
Where: Las Vegas, NV
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: From mission driven leadership to emotional technology for DEI strategy and improved communications tactics, our partnership team will be discussing business best practices as they attend the NGLCC conference — the largest LGBTQ+ business event on the planet. You will find us in the front row for the Energy & Utilities Cluster Session!
AESP Summer Con
When: August 16—18, 2022
Where: Philadelphia, PA
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Our local team will make a splash at AESP’s next impactful conference as we sponsor this event. Make sure to say hello!
ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
When: August 21—26, 2022
Where: Pacific Grove, CA
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: We’ll be sponsoring and speaking at this epic summer camp for energy professionals.
The powerful duo of Komal Dhankhar Kalyan, SEM Coach, and Daman Kochhar, Senior SEM Program Manager, will lead “Decarbonization & SEM: The Human Side of Energy Management” in Panel #8 on Wednesday, August 24.
E Source Forum
When: September 13—16, 2022
Where: Denver, CO
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Taking place in the last days of summer, we’re proudly sponsoring this staple energy efficiency industry event. This year we’ll bring a unique interactive community-focused experience to our sponsorship and booth. Intrigued? Stay tuned to Energy Forum for details!
As always, if you’re interested in additional thought leadership, browse through our latest content or subscribe to our recently refreshed YouTube channel.
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Meet Kenyatta Releford, one of our real-life energy superheroes. She is inspiring the next generation of girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by sharing her story in the children's book series, “Everyday Superheroes.” Kenyatta and her role here are spotlighted among 34 energy superstars in the latest edition, Women in Energy. The series is geared toward elementary age children who are interested in STEM careers, energy efficiency and energy transition.
Kenyatta is a Program Manager and Lead Weatherization Technician for us in Oklahoma. In the book, Kenyatta describes her job as an auditor that works with construction companies to help homeowners save energy. When asked to share advice with young people, she said, “Treat the world as if it is your dream world, and it will become your dream world.”
She is an inspiration to young women in STEM, and we’re proud to have her on our team. You can purchase the books via amazon at Books for Girls - STEM Superheroes | Diversity in the STEM Field starting July 25.
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Austin, TX (July 12, 2022)–Forward-thinking companies are quickly making plans to comply with disclosure requirements outlined in the . To simplify the challenge, CLEAResult—the leading energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions provider in North America—is introducing a new product to manage the process. CLEAResult ATLASTM Carbon helps companies measure, track and report their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). “The fun part is the visualization of the data. You can filter and analyze data based on the needs of your team and stakeholders to tell a compelling, accurate and measurable carbon reduction story.” said Divakar Jandhyala, CLEAResult’s Chief Product and Technology Officer. This innovative software expedites carbon tracking and provides custom reports that are fully compliant with industry standards. Businesses can view their GHG measurements and trends on a personalized dashboard using specific criteria like location, department, facility and source of emissions. Reports can be customized for a variety of purposes, including external documents compliant with the proposed SEC requirements and GHG Protocol. “This system was created in response to the expressed needs of our clients,” noted Rob Beckwith, VP of Carbon Consulting Business Development. “Accurately measuring their carbon footprint gives them a reliable and reportable baseline that’s essential to any type of carbon reduction plan.” CLEAResult ATLASTM Carbon syncs with other accounting software so that data is updated automatically, saving time and reducing the likelihood of human error. The product tracks an organization’s carbon reduction and displays their information in a personalized dashboard. “Our new product provides accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible information about an organization’s greenhouse gas emissions. This data is increasingly valuable for businesses looking to make sustainable decisions, regardless of future changes to reporting requirements,” added Jandhyala. More information about CLEAResult ATLASTM Carbon is available on the company’s technology page. Their carbon consulting team is also offering no-cost consultations and product demonstrations for organizations of all sizes. To schedule, email Rob Beck with at carbon@clearesult.com CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contacts media@clearesult.com… Tester Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
This past Fourth of July, we reflected on the work we’ve done partnering with military bases across the U.S. As with every project, our goal was to conserve energy and costs. Our local field teams collaborate with each base to identify and implement energy efficiency upgrades that would make significant impact on energy savings, maintenance costs and more. Today, we’re highlighting three of these projects and the ongoing work our utility partners are doing to better their communities and help our military maximize their energy reductions.
OG&E — Tinker Air Force Base
OG&E and CLEAResult have partnered with Tinker and Honeywell to complete the Air Force’s largest Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). This initiative made possible through a partnership with OG&E’s Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) constituted a base-wide energy efficiency improvement project including comprehensive LED upgrades and the largest compressed air project completed in OG&E’s energy efficiency programs to date.
From 2017 to 2021, Tinker Air Force Base has saved approximately 38,947,000 kWh through the energy efficiency upgrades by switching from traditional lighting to LEDs. By switching over 100,000 traditional lighting options to LEDs and implementing other energy conservation measures, the base received a total of $3,232,413 in incentives from OG&E.
Since then, we’ve been in discussions with Tinker on new capital improvement projects including custom work on updating chiller plants, building automation systems, and additional compressed air improvements. Tinker has also recently enrolled in the Continuous Energy Improvement program we implement on behalf of OG&E, as well as our brand-new Fleet Electrification Management pilot putting the base well on its way to further energy savings.
Potomac Edison — Fort Detrick
The Maryland General Assembly launched the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act in 2008 after finding energy efficiency to be among least expensive ways to meet the state’s electricity needs. Since then, Fort Detrick has taken advantage of the incentives offered by Potomac Edison’s EmPOWER Maryland programs. The improvements we’ve seen over the past three years in working with Fort Detrick are paying off.
We have completed five projects including the installation of a new compressor, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and a satellite central utility plant. There are more projects underway as well, such as new construction lighting installations and more VFDs. Fort Detrick is also interested in HVAC Tune Up opportunities for their preventative maintenance program and leveraging our midstream program for day-to-day operations and maintenance work. By the end of 2022, Fort Detrick will have received approximately $300,000 in incentives resulting in over 13,000 mWh in energy savings.
Entergy Arkansas — Little Rock Air Force Base
The Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB), located on 6,412 acres outside of Little Rock, Arkansas, provides the Department of Defense with the world’s largest fleet of C-130 Hercules. Being the fourth largest employer in the state, the LRAFB has a population of 13,893 and is comprised of active-duty military, their families, and civilians.
In 2021, Entergy Arkansas and CLEAResult completed lighting projects through Hunt Military Communities, who operate 994 homes on base. These projects qualified the base for incentives from the Entergy Solutions program on both residential lighting, as well as streetlamps throughout the multiple neighborhoods. This resulted in 763,000 kWh saved, over $91,500 of incentives paid, and more than $50,000 a year in reduced energy costs–a win for everyone involved.
We also installed numerous water-saving showerheads, aerators and vend misers accounting for an additional 174,968 kWh saved, $17,236 worth of incentives, and $12,247 in annual savings with only about one-third of the 994 homes completed. While the work continues to help the community upgrade its energy efficiency, there have been many discussions for us and Entergy Arkansas to look into providing even more pathways to savings for this base.
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Through CLEAResult’s history we've been honored to be selected for vital projects such as these that not only save energy and lead to greater efficiency, but they also have a positive effect on our communities and military operations.
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Austin, Texas (Tuesday, June 28, 2022) — CLEAResult, the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions in North America, announced today the acquisition of Ecofitt, Canada’s leading residential energy efficiency program implementer for utilities, retailers and distributors. The acquisition brings together the two most trusted energy efficiency teams in Canada, giving both companies more opportunities to scale the impact of their decarbonization efforts from coast to coast. CLEAResult has nearly 20 years of experience providing energy savings to people, homes and businesses of all sizes directly and on behalf of North American utility partners. In Canada, CLEAResult is the leading provider of commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs and has a growing portfolio of residential and income-eligible services. “Ecofitt’s portfolio of products and services is a perfect match for continuing to grow our presence in Canada’s energy efficiency market,” said Rich McBee, CEO of CLEAResult. “With their deep experience serving the energy efficiency needs of local communities across Canada and our innovation and investment in energy transition and decarbonization solutions, we’re both better positioned than ever to expand our portfolio and reduce energy use nationwide.” President and founder, Jason Santomero, along with his full team at Ecofitt will be joining CLEAResult’s existing operations in Canada. “We’ve been really impressed with CLEAResult’s breadth of energy efficiency expertise and capability across North America,” said Santomero. “We’re thrilled to join the team and bring that same forward-thinking leadership to our customers here at home.” As part of the acquisition, distribution of Ecofitt’s proprietary line of energy efficiency products will integrate with CLEAResult’s existing channels and expand access to savings for everyone. Across the country, Canadian residential energy users can look forward to more opportunities to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. About CLEAResultCLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. Fol… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contactsmedia@clearesult.comDirector Corporate Communications
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Pressure is mounting for companies to reduce their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Regardless of how the SEC disclosure proposal resolves, it is a sign of the times—businesses must assess their environmental impact and move towards greater sustainability. Investors, clients, communities and future employees are placing an increasing degree of significance on an organization’s carbon footprint when deciding who to do business with. Forward-thinking companies have started the move to—or have even reached—a carbon neutral/net zero future. Businesses cannot afford to be left behind as profitability has become directly tied to sustainability.
Many of our clients have accelerated their decarbonization initiatives within the past few years to become more sustainable, save on energy costs and increase their appeal to customers. Our Carbon Consulting Practice has developed a highly effective strategic energy management (SEM) methodology to make this process as time and cost efficient as possible.
MEASURE: This step is essential for every company, regardless of their sustainability goals. It is often minimized as assessing current state seems simple. However, to accurately measure carbon emissions for internal and external reporting is a comprehensive task and critical to efficiency planning. Our team will study your operations to determine where, how, and to what extent carbon is emitted. And examine the impact of your indirect activities (purchases, business travel and waste production). This will serve as your baseline, using GHG Protocol standard measurements. We will then create a custom, real-time dashboard using our proprietary ATLAS™ Carbon platform to track your progress over time.
DISCOVER: The greatest opportunities are often overlooked from an internal perspective. Our external viewpoint, decarbonization expertise and client experience allow us to quickly analyze and identify usage trends and determine areas with the greatest impact on your carbon footprint and bottom line. We will give you prioritized recommendations and work with you to create practical projects to ensure your energy efficiency goals and budget remain aligned.
PLAN: Our client goals range from modest carbon reduction for cost efficiency, to becoming carbon neutral, to achieving net zero. We take into consideration your current footprint, reduction opportunities, budget, and timeline to set realistic reduction goals and milestones and create a practical plan to achieve them within your parameters. We can position and present your strategic plan for stakeholder buy in and assist in locating trade allies and specialists needed for implementation.
REDUCE: Set your plan in motion. Manage repairs, upgrades and equipment installation with efficiency and ease by leveraging our engineering, design build and SEM specialists. We work with your teams and leadership to create behavioral change by establishing energy-saving behavioral procedures and training your workforce. Our network of skilled partners can also help fill any additional reduction gaps, including strategic renewables and compensatory measures for carbon emissions.
IMPROVE: Climate policy changes and advancements in technology can necessitate adjustments to your strategic plan and operations to keep you on track. Keeping abreast of changing conditions enables you to spot and react quickly to opportunities or challenges and manage resources effectively. Our team will recommend modifications to optimize your strategy and determine the soundest investments where needed. We also explore ways to further reduce GHG emissions.
Learn more about how to make your carbon reduction process faster and easier by visiting clearesult.com/carbon-consulting. We are currently offering a 15-minute initial consultation and initial assessment at no cost and no obligation.
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Congratulations are in order! Our Northwest Account Manager Consultant and sustainability expert, Elin Shepard, was recently featured in the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) quarterly magazine to spotlight her success as President of their Columbia River Chapter.
Based in Oregon, Elin’s 20+ years of energy industry experience is impressive and inspiring. She’s earned her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Accredited Professional in Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) and Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credentials and currently provides targeted outreach and education for a utility incentive program near her local community. In addition to her AEE membership, Elin is also the Chair of Scholarships, Awards, and Student Enrichment Committee for the Council of Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL).
Watch Elin's interview with AEE’s CWEEL team as they discuss Elin’s diverse leadership roles, awards and advice for new members looking to become future leaders.
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In June, we’re featuring fleet! The conversation around fleet electrification has been accelerating quickly in recent months. From our acquisition of ChooseEV to our April electrification webinar, we’re thrilled to keep moving full speed ahead.
Here’s what’s coming up in June:
Building Performance Association (BPA) Clean Energy Conference: June 1–2
Where: Saratoga Springs, NY
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: On the speakers’ agenda and in our interactive exhibit booth.
John Carrigan will present on Thursday, June 2 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. during the “Auditing with Heat Pumps in Mind” session.
Adam Hargis will present on Thursday, June 2 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. during the “Duct Diagnostics for Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps” session.
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) 2022: June 20—22
Where: Orlando, FL
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Networking with other professionals discussing clean energy policies, energy equity and managing the risks of climate change.
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Electrification 2022: June 28–20
Where: Charlotte, NC
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Enjoying Charlotte and talking through targeted, equitable electrification solutions to accelerate our transition to a low-carbon power sector and net-zero economy.
National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) Annual Conference: June 28–30
Where: New Orleans, LA
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Engaging with the nation’s leading energy assistance leaders to share the challenges and successes we’ve seen helping income-eligible folks meet their home energy needs.
Forth Roadmap Conference: June 29–30
Where: Portland, OR
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Sponsoring, speaking, and hanging out at our interactive exhibit booth! We have the honor of introducing one of the conference’s keynote speakers.
Can’t wait? Watch our recent webinars on Energy Forum for a glimpse of what you’re in for or read through the highlights from last month below!
May event highlights for those who missed out.
May started off big with the ENERGY STAR® Awards, recognizing exceptional leaders in energy efficiency including 16 of our clients. Congrats to all our ENERGY STAR award winners!
The American Association for Black’s in Energy (AABE) 45th National conference brought together over 650 energy professionals in Tampa, FL, to discuss the importance of having continuous conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion in the energy industry.
The CleanMed 2022 Conference in Missouri continued our focus on Healthier Homes with the opportunity to gain health care provider buy-in and feedback. During Todd Miles speaking session healthcare leaders listened and are ready to act on the residential energy efficiency work that creates measurable health benefits and improves air quality, while also being high quality, local carbon offsets.
Our sponsorship of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) Policy Conference gave us valuable visibility with leaders in the federal and state policy space as they discussed the future of energy efficiency. The conversations centered around making sure programs reach income-eligible households, the push to move new construction toward net zero, and the transition away from fossil fuels to all-electric buildings.
The Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) Business Diversity Conference focused on “Building A Resilient Supplier Pipeline to Energize the Energy Industry.” Sylvester Johnson, our Partnership Director, attended to strengthen our diverse supplier pipeline by networking with many existing and potential partners.
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Annual Membership meeting in Milwaukee was a mix of networking fun with decarbonization and energy policy that made us feel right at home. MEEA's vision for the rest of 2022 and beginning of 2023 also includes workforce development and industry diversification.
We hope to meet more people next month as we continue the exciting conversations happening in our industry every day!
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Austin, TX (May 17, 2022) – Businesses are being held accountable for their environmental impact. Some companies have taken a proactive approach by announcing their plans to reach net zero, while others are considering more modest reductions to reduce operational expenditures. A few weeks ago, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a proposal requiring public companies to disclose climate risk and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data, prompting executives to examine their current energy usage. The challenge? Business leaders don’t know where to begin. “There’s a huge knowledge gap here,” says Rich McBee, President & CEO of CLEAResult, “and we’re uniquely qualified to not just fill it—but do it better and faster than any other business.” CLEAResult is North America’s leading provider of energy efficiency solutions and recently became the Official Energy Efficiency Partner of the Boston Red Sox. They have worked primarily with utility companies to save homes and businesses money by reducing energy use for the past 20 years. Now, they’re expanding their expertise to work directly with forward-thinking business and community organizations like manufacturers, healthcare providers, schools, stadiums and more. Rob Beckwith, Vice President of Sales and Business Development of the new Carbon Consulting Practice, noted, “Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues have become increasingly important to investors, advisors and regulators in recent years. Over the past two decades, companies that have successfully integrated ESG performance into their corporate DNA have outperformed others in terms of stock price, overall management, and ‘peer perception’ within their respective industries.” Leveraging two decades of experience, CLEAResult has developed practical solutions to measure and reduce businesses’ annual carbon emissions, with the ultimate goal of reaching net zero. In 2021 alone, they helped save people over $9 billion on their energy bills through efficiency upgrades and averted more than 22.8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions from our environment. CLEAResult’s Carbon Consulting services offer a comprehensive portfolio of energy and GHG emissions reduction solutions, rather than delivering limited scopes of work. Their energy experts begin by measuring an organization’s current GHG emissions and providing energy-efficient measures to reduce them. From there, they recommend ways to transition to renewable energy and purchase carbon credits to further decrease carbon footprints. This approach enables companies to bring CLEAResult in at any stage of the process and lean on them as a singular resource for measuring, planning, implementing and improving their reduction strategies. “We keep things simple for our clients. All the technical and tedious work is handled in-house.” McBee continued. “Businesses are busy, we get that. But when we show them how much money they’ll save and the impact it will have on our environment, all of their employees get excited–not just the executives.” CLEAResult is currently offering free consultations for companies looking to lower their energy costs and carbon emissions. Visit CLEAResult.com/carbon-consult…; for more information. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contactsmedia@clearesult.comAmber TesterDirector Corporate Communications
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Austin, Texas (Tuesday, May 10, 2022) — CLEAResult, the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions in North America, announces the acquisition of ChooseEV, the leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) market awareness and education tools across North America. Through this acquisition, CLEAResult and ChooseEV will deliver an even broader set of energy transition solutions that accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and create a greener, more sustainable future. ChooseEV operates the most widely deployed platform for EV education, serving over 300 utilities across the U.S. and Canada. The platform will expand CLEAResult’s Energy Transition practice and provide utilities and businesses with customer-friendly EV education tools, easier implementation and technical assistance with charging and fleet electrification. ChooseEV’s expertise will empower even more consumers to compare costs and emissions, identify incentives and ultimately make the decision to switch an easy one. “The acquisition of ChooseEV demonstrates our pursuit of strategic growth opportunities as we continue to build our platform and offering,” said CLEAResult President and CEO Rich McBee, “Their vast expertise in consumer engagement and accelerating the adoption of new technologies will play an integral role in shaping our technology approach to the energy transition.” With the integration of ChooseEV’s platform, CLEAResult will continue to efficiently target outreach efforts that expedite the widespread use of EVs. Alongside delivering excellent client value, CLEAResult continues to serve as a model for clean energy and recently announced its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2025 — including transitioning its own fleet to zero-emission vehicles. With this acquisition, ChooseEV will enhance CLEAResult’s Energy Transition business, enabling speed and scalability in the transition to more intelligent, cleaner energy solutions. “I’m delighted to be a part of the innovative energy solution offerings that CLEAResult delivers,” said founder Ben Yenter, “They’ve demonstrated tremendous market leadership and continue to trailblaze in the field of energy efficiency and sustainability. The opportunities for growth are astounding, not just for ChooseEV, but for the power and possibility of electrified transportation and our net zero future.” Through this innovative addition, CLEAResult extends its product capabilities and the value of the benefits of electric energy to current and potential customers, communicating the importance of achieving net zero carbon emissions while harnessing the power of electric vehicles. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. Fol… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram Media contactsmedia@clearesult.comDirector Corporate Communications
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April events showcased a variety of important issues such as distributed energy resources and demand response, electrification, decarbonization, the transition to clean energy and energy efficiency in school districts. Before we announce our May events, here’s a quick recap for April.
April Highlights
The National Home Performance (NHP) Conference featured eight of our leading thought leaders and experts:
Robert Muldoon and Tim Good presented how to leverage Strategic Energy Management (SEM) processes to overcome barriers for multifamily households. The duo focused on how SEM is a continuous and flexible whole building energy-saving solution.
Kyle Chase underscored the importance of teaching occupants how to operate smart thermostats to get the most from technology programs for contractors.
Bruce Manclark spoke on how to mitigate sound with heat pump water heaters. He also stressed the importance of selecting a tank best fit for the location available and how honing those carpentry skills will come in handy.
Edward Jennings used New York as an example of a city on the cutting edge of the electrification movement, which sparked conversation around electrification and decarbonization.
At the Peak Load Management Association Annual Conference, we had the opportunity to speak with Baltimore Gas & Electric about their past experience with DR challenges.
The California Efficiency and Demand Management Council (CEDMC) Spring Symposium gave us some west coast advice on the LA100’s transition to clean energy programs. California records show that on one day in April, 97% of the energy being used was renewable.
Efficiency Exchange 2022 focused on overcoming hurdles to achieve energy efficiency in schools. Both urban and rural school districts were represented, engaging in discussion about their struggles and success.
See below for details on how to join our upcoming events this month.
Our May events schedule includes:
American Association of Black’s in Energy (AABE) 45th National Conference - May 2—5, 2022
Where: Tampa, FL
How to Attend: Register Today
Where to find us: Our team will be by our exhibitor booth networking at this impactful forum with over 650 energy professionals.
ENERGY STAR® Awards – May 5, 2022
Where: Virtual Celebration
View Winners Here on May 5th
Where to find us: Check out our Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn social media takeover on May 6th where we’ll be posting multiple videos congratulating winners.
Advanced Clean Transportation Expo – May 9—12, 2022
Where: Long Beach, CA
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: We’ll be enjoying the warm weather and discussing the future of fleet, including today’s most advanced vehicles, fuels and technologies.
CleanMed 2022 – May 10—12, 2022
Where: Kansas City, MO
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: On the agenda!
Todd Miles, one of our Healthier Homes experts, will be speaking about “Investing in Healthier Homes for Climate & Community Health” with co-speaker Ellen Tohn from Tohn Environmental Strategies. Check this out on May 12 at 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. CST.
Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) & The Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey (EEA-NJ) 11th Annual Policy Conference – May 11—12, 2022
Where: Philadelphia Navy Yard
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: We’ll be at our exhibit booth and on all marketing materials as Premier Sponsors of this conference. Come join us to discuss key policy issues.
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Business Diversity Conference – May 17—20, 2022
Where: Los Angeles, CA
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: We’re sponsoring the conference and networking with industry professionals about DEI goals and diversifying the workforce at all levels.
Can’t wait to catch up? Watch our recent webinars on Energy Forum for a glimpse of what you’re in for, or check out our Energy Efficiency, Energy Transition and Carbon Consulting practices featured in the above events.
May is also Military Appreciation Month. Keep an eye on our social media for more!
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Celebrations are in order! We are thrilled to announce that several of our partners received ENERGY STAR awards this year. While the programs get their name on the trophy, it’s the people involved who are the stars of show. Thank you to all of our employees, client partners and trade allies who make these programs successful each and every day! Our 2022 ENERGY STAR award winners include: Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceAEP Texas Excellence in ENERGY STAR MarketingAppalachian Power Take Charge Program Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceAustin Energy Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceBlack Hills Energy Arkansas Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceCenterPoint Energy Excellence in ENERGY STAR MarketingDominion Energy Residential Efficient Products Marketplace Program Partner of the Year AwardEl Paso Electric Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceEntergy Arkansas, LLC Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceEntergy Texas Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceThe Sponsors of Mass Save® Lighting and Consumer Products Program for Massachusetts Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceNew Mexico Gas Company Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellencePECO Energy Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellencePepco Holdings, Inc., Pepco & Delmarva Power Residential Efficiency Programs Partner of the Year AwardPPL Electric Utilities, PPL Residential Portfolio Partner of the Year AwardSouthwestern Electric Power Company - Louisiana and Texas (AEP SWEPCO) Partner of the Year for Sustained ExcellenceSouthwestern Electric Power Company (AEP SWEPCO) - Arkansas
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One thing is clear—fleet electrification is happening fast. In our April webinar, Fleet Electrification: Changing Tech and Teams Together, Transportation Electrification Director, James Russel took the wheel and walked our guests through an in-depth conversation about the zero-emission vehicle future fleet managers should start planning for. The group jumped right into the details to highlight the importance of early engagement for utilities and their fleet customers, building transparency for people pursuing electrification, and capturing the current momentum to make the shift as quickly as possible. Thank you to all our guests! Watch the full conversation below and keep an eye out for more Energy Transition content soon. Presenters included: James RussellDirector, Transportation ElectrificationCLEAResult Varun ThakkarSenior Practice ConsultantCLEAResult Rick RosaManager, Electric Vehicle Programs and ProductsAvangrid, Inc Ben YenterDirector of Product and Accounts ChooseEV
Webinar .
Austin, Texas (April 22, 2022)– Energy efficiency industry leader, CLEAResult, announced a new goal to reach net zero by 2025. The consulting company will transition to carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 emissions by next year as its first major milestone in a three-year plan that aims to show businesses how to achieve climate and sustainability goals of their own. As part of the announcement, CLEAResult released its 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report detailing its environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions. “Getting to net zero as fast as possible is not just a commitment to our investors, employees and communities” said President and CEO Rich McBee, “it’s a strong reflection of our core values.” CLEAResult works with utilities and other organizations across North America to provide people and businesses with best-in-class energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions. In 2021 alone, their team averted 22.8 million metric tons of CO2 through program work on behalf of clients. That impact is further represented by the over $9 billion in total savings on customers’ energy bills, including more than $300 million saved in specific programs for low-to-moderate income households. Calculating CLEAResult’s carbon footprint was the team’s first step towards building a plan for decarbonization. “We followed the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard for measuring our greenhouse gas emissions” Keri Macklin, Vice President of CLEAResult’s Strategic Energy Management and Carbon Consulting Practices, explained. “Scope 3, also known as indirect emissions, is by far our largest GHG emissions contributor that we need to reduce to reach net zero.” The team will routinely refine and improve its approach to measuring their carbon footprint to keep sustainability goals on track. This will include projects such as fleet electrification, reducing business travel, evaluating all goods and services purchased with climate in mind, as well as ensuring that employees have the resources they need to feel confident participating in the reduction process. “We will continue to intentionally grow our teams to reflect the communities we serve because we believe improving diversity, equity and inclusion is critical to remaining innovative and will only speed up our reduction focus,” Rich reinforced. Read CLEAResult’s full 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report at www.cleares… CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram
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Austin, Texas (April 20, 2022) — CLEAResult, the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions in North America, has announced the hire of Kecia Davison as the Senior Vice President for the West region. Kecia is a proven leader with over thirty years of experience in the energy efficiency, construction and finance sectors. Her rich history of creating highly collaborative teams, leading sales, and profitable delivery solutions will be hugely valuable to CLEAResult’s executive leadership team. Before joining CLEAResult, Kecia was the President of West Energy at SitelogIQ and drove a complete transformation of the West Energy business. She has held additional key roles in significant energy companies, such as Vice President of Energy at ABM, where she built their California Public Sector Energy business from the ground up and led ABM’s Public-Private-Partnership (P3) Infrastructure business. Prior to ABM, she led her team at Johnson Controls to close one of JCI’s largest energy solutions projects with the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation. “I’m excited to have Kecia join our executive leadership team. Her broad experience will be a great asset as we address many growth opportunities in the West region,” said CLEAResult CEO Rich McBee. “She is an energetic board member of the School Energy Coalition (SEC) and was a founding board member of the California Energy Efficiency Industry Council which further demonstrates her commitment to a cleaner future.” Beyond the office, Kecia is an avid sports fan, skier, golfer and tennis player. Kecia lives in Orange County California with her husband, Jim, a decorated former Navy fighter pilot. About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram
Press Release .
CLEAResult’s 80 PLUS® program expands efficiency certifications to include Industrial Power Supply Units
Austin, Texas (April 11, 2022)– Creating standards for Industrial Power Supply Units (PSU) could save users in North America over $40.5 million in energy costs by 2024 and significantly speed up the transition to a more sustainable future. To encourage and promote standardization in the industry, CLEAResult, the leading energy efficiency consulting company, is expanding its 80 PLUS® certification program to include Industrial PSUs with a 115V certification.
As part of CLEAResult’s Testing and Certification practice, 80 PLUS certifications show users that products have undergone third-party testing and meet or exceed the program’s specified criteria. This allows manufacturers to validate a product’s reliability and attest to energy savings that differentiate it in the market.
80 PLUS created energy efficiency standards that transformed the desktop and server power supply industry, and it will do the same for Industrial PSUs. “We aim to raise awareness and product adoption in the Industrial PSU space,” Jason Boehlke, 80 PLUS Global Program Manager, explained, “each certification is designed to ensure consumer confidence and applaud emerging energy-efficient products that drive innovation amongst manufacturers.”
Nate Mandelko, Program Marketing Manager from Artesyn agreed, “We’ve worked with CLEAResult for several years and see the value that 80 PLUS certifications bring to our products. It adds a level of trust in efficacy that the whole industry can rely on.”
Industrial PSUs power fundamental infrastructure including commercial buildings, manufacturing, medical facilities, lighting controls for traffic signals and more. Their ubiquitous use makes it critical to establish clear energy efficiency standards and testing procedures for products to certify their reliability and energy savings claims.
The 80 PLUS certification for 115V Industrial PSUs further motivates manufacturers to focus on creating and delivering energy efficient products to the market. “We are ready to hit the ground running with our proven standard test methodology, technology and procedures to certify products in this space.” Boehlke said, “Our goal is to revolutionize the standards Industrial PSU manufacturers use for premium products. This will reduce industrial energy use as a whole like we’ve done successfully for desktop and data center products.”
For more details about 80 PLUS® certifications, please visit https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/
About CLEAResult
CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet.
Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities and residential customers to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint.
CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,400 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is a portfolio company of TPG’s global impact group, The Rise Fund.
Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com.
Follow us on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Media contacts
media@clearesult.com
Amber Tester
Director Corporate Communications
Press Release .
Over the years, our 80 PLUS® testing and certification program has become the leading global efficiency specification for internal and industrial power supply units (PSUs). We currently list over 11,000 certified power supplies and 450 plus manufacturers on our portal for customers to easily verify their product efficiency anytime.
What is 80 PLUS?
80 PLUS is a performance specification and certification program for internal power supply units (PSUs). Every certified product and its testing report is listed on our easily accessible online portal for anyone to see.
What certifications does 80 PLUS offer?
We offer six levels of certification from Standard to Titanium for internal power supplies at increasing levels of energy efficiency. There are currently five categories for certifications including 115V Internal desktop, 230V EU Internal desktop, 115V Industrial, 230V Internal AC and 380V Internal DC data center power supplies. The performance specification requires power supplies in computers and servers to be 80% energy efficient or greater at 20%, 50% and 100% of rated load with a true power factor of 0.9 or higher.
What are the benefits of certifying my product?
Our standards are recognized by ENERGY STAR® and the European Union (EU) for being significantly more efficient than standard PSUs, giving manufacturers a unique market opportunity to differentiate their premium products and improve consumer confidence.
What are power supplies?
Power supplies are devices used to power computers, servers and other consumer and industrial equipment. They convert AC power from electric utilities into DC power used in most electronics.
Internal PSUs are most commonly found in desktop computers, workstations, non-redundant server applications and redundant data center devices. Industrial PSUs can be found in various physical formats including embedded, encapsulated, open frame, rack mount and DIN-mount.
How can I get my product certified?
Certifying your product is easy. Create an account on our online portal, then select your product and complete the application. For a technical review of our testing procedures, please view our comprehensive testing FAQ.
How much does it cost to certify my product?
Depending on the product, the price for testing and certification can range from $3,500 to $7,250 USD.
Who is CLEAResult?
CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and decarbonization solutions in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet.
Program timelines and milestones
2018:
ENERGY STAR V8.0 for Desktops
ENERGY STAR V3.0 for Servers
2014:
230V EU specification Introduced
80 PLUS Titanium specification introduced for Desktops
2011:
10% efficiency recorded for desktop computers
80 PLUS Titanium specification introduced for Servers
SNIA PSUs added to the category for Servers
Introduction of Titanium 80 PLUS label as most efficient specification within the Data Center
2010-2008:
Addition of Platinum 80 PLUS label for the most efficient power supplies
ENERGY STAR v5.0 for Desktop Computers requires 80 PLUS Bronze and v1.0 for Servers requires 80 PLUS Silver or better Power supplies
Addition of Bronze, Silver, and Gold 80 PLUS labels to distinguish among various levels of efficiency
2007-2003:
ENERGY STAR Computer Specification (Version 4.0) goes into effect, including 80 PLUS power supply efficiency levels for desktop computers
Dell certifies 4 power supplies
HP joins by certifying 80 PLUS power supplies
ENERGY STAR includes 80 PLUS requirements in new computer draft specification
First market-ready power supply by Seasonic certified 80 PLUS
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance becomes first sponsor
Program concept announced at ACEEE Market Transformation Symposium
Developed the Generalized Internal Power Supply Efficiency Test Protocol for calculating the energy efficiency of internal AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies
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If you're involved in the energy-efficient lighting industry, you've probably heard a lot of talk lately about changes to the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) legislation. Our teams dug into the details of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed rule change to save you time and make sure you’re prepared. What’s the most recent action on EISA lighting Legislation?There are two new actions currently in process to pay attention to regarding EISA lighting legislation:The DOE has released a … of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) that would introduce a 45 lumen per watt efficacy requirement on General Service Lamps (GSLs).In a second notice, the DOE would also amend the definition of GSLs to include most A-line, Globe, Decorative and Reflector products. This expanded definition would cover about 90%-95% of the products sold in the standard residential utility incentive program today. When would these changes impact the market?While there’s no set timeline for when the two updates would become final rules, the comment period for both NOPRs has closed and are now under review. If and when the final rules are approved, a proposed retail sales ban is currently set to take effect 60 days after publication. Fortunately, the notice also includes a clause around enforcement flexibility that could be used to avoid undue market disruption if necessary. What impact would the new requirement have on lighting programs?Many energy-efficient lighting products, including CFLs and LEDs, already meet the 45 lumens per watt requirement proposed in this rule change. The requirement would phase out halogen lighting products and adjust the inefficient baseline used to calculate claimable energy savings. Would this rule eliminate the ability for utilities to claim savings on incentivized LED products?Lighting programs could see drastic decreases in potential energy saving for incentives on GSL products, but the savings will not necessarily be eliminated. If the process reflects the approach in Pennsylvania, for example, energy savings would be calculated based on the new inefficient baseline. This would lower the energy savings of most LED products in utility incentive programs to about 10—25% of their current levels. The few products not impacted by the new requirement would likely also not have lighting savings impacted. Keep in mind that energy savings are partially determined by market composition as well, which would be greatly transformed by this rule change. What’s the bottom line for lighting programs?If you’re reading this, you’re already ahead of the game! Paying attention is step one to getting prepared. Take some time in the near future to review your lighting incentives and products to catalog what might be affected. Then, consider which opportunities to claim savings still make sense for your local community. Have more questions or want a partner to review with? Give us a shout! Fill out our contact form or email our Operations Manager directly.
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When organizations begin fleet electrification, they often rush right to purchasing exciting new tech like EVs without considering how the transition will change the way their teams operate. In our next webinar, we'll discuss how to successfully change both using a collaborative approach that keeps everyone aligned.
Moderator James Russell and our guests will share their experiences and guidance on where, when and how various teams can best implement electrification changes to large and small fleets. Potential topics of conversation include engaging key stakeholders, identifying appropriate vehicles and lowering costs by using all available energy and infrastructure incentives.
Webinar date:
Wednesday, April 27th at 12:00 CT
Presenters include:
James Russell
Director, Transportation Electrification
CLEAResult
Varun Thakkar
Senior Practice Consultant
CLEAResult
Rick Rosa
Manager, Electric Vehicle Programs and Products
Avangrid, Inc
Benjamin Yenter
Director of Products & Accounts
ChooseEV
Register Now ›
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In March 2022, our team members were in the mix at industry events sharing their thoughts on important energy and environmental topics like tackling drastic weather changes in the south, addressing issues of energy burden, creating community engagement, lowering our carbon impact and more.
March Highlights
At the Texas Energy Summit, our team joined discussions around the upcoming Energy Efficiency Rule, new ways to balance energy demand considering the impacts of the recent winter storms, and opportunities to address energy burden disparities as Texas metro areas shift towards more progressive policies.
Andrenika Whiston dug into the root of crafting programs that work for communities. “We need to first understand their challenges and needs before we can successfully engage,” she explained. “Are we including those community members in program design? Is the community demographic represented in the program participation data?” are all questions we need to be asking to improve community trust.
Keri Macklin and a panel spoke to the financial and environmental impacts of Texas connecting to larger grids, as well as options for viable and reliable coal plant replacements. Keri highlighted the many opportunities that fossil fuel plants have to improve plant efficiency, increase output for the grid, and reduce parasitic load and its associated greenhouse gas emissions. This reiterates the golden rule of energy efficiency—the cleanest kWh is always the one not used.
On St. Patrick’s Day, we were lucky to hear from our own Jeannie Sikora during Resource Innovation Institute’s CEA Utility & Efficiency Program Best Practices for Controlled Environment Agriculture Webinar. The panel discussed potential and proven approaches to resource acquisition and market transformation for energy efficiency programs that serve greenhouse or indoor operations focused on growing food or floriculture crops.
Ambur Buhl then closed out the month by sharing her expertise at the AEE East Conference during the “RCx Persistence in a California Utility Program” session. Her top suggestion—decide what’s more important, verifying project-level savings or ensuring that individual measures are persisting. For Ambur, the answer is always Project level savings.
Lastly, during the ACEEE Hot Water Forum, Bruce Manclark drove home ways the importance of engaging with our trade allies who are often the first team members our communities communicate with in their homes to support utility programs. Bruce’s tips for converting reluctant installers—leverage the supply chain, provide interactive training, share targeted and fixed price promotions, and serve as a resource.
That’s a wrap March! Here’s where you can join us next.
APRIL EVENTS SCHEDULE
45th PLMA Conference: April 4—6, 2022
Where: Baltimore, MD
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: Visit our team in the Sponsor Lounge to discover how we can further customer engagement and meet customers where they are on their energy efficiency journey together through DR and DERs programs.
2022 Southwest Utility Energy Efficiency Workshop (SWEEP): April 7—8, 2022
Where: Tempe, AZ
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: You’ll find our team in the sunshine ready to discuss the region’s emerging energy efficiency technologies and program design.
2022 National Home Performance Conference: March 23—24, 2022
Where: Nashville, TN
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: On the agenda and at our interactive booth!
Our Healthier Homes experts, Todd Miles and Keith Canfield will host a half day workshop titled “Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Healthy Homes Pilot Programs” on Monday, April 11, 2022, at 8:30—11:30 a.m. CT.
Bruce Manclark is back with two more presentations this month.
Beyond the Garage and Basement: Overcoming the Challenges of Installing HPWHs in Small Spaces on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 2:30—3:30 p.m. CT.
Winning the Trades War: Encouraging the Trades to Participate in Programs on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 3:00—4:00 p.m. CT.
Kyle Chase, Senior Building Science Analyst will tackle “Smart Thermostats: Opportunities & Challenges” on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 2:30—3:30 p.m. CT.
SEM Coaches Tim Good and Robert Muldoon will present in “Multifamily Strategic Energy Management (SEM): A Creative Partnership for Energy Savings” on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 4:00—5:00 p.m. CT.
CLEAResult alongside TVA will host “Leveraging Technology and Innovation to Deliver Energy Efficiency in a Changing World” on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 1:30—2:30 p.m. CT.
ETS22: April 11—14, 2022
Where: In CLEAResult’s hometown of Austin, TX
How to attend: Register today
Efficiency Exchange 2022: April 14—15, 2022
Where: Online
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: You’ll find our team actively engaged in the conference platform. We are the sponsor after all! Chat with us about continuing energy efficiency innovation to address demand and carbon reduction goals.
CEDMC 2022 Spring Symposium: April 21, 2022
Where: Los Angeles, CA or online
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us: You’ll find us talking about industry hot topics such as Decarbonization and our focus on carbon reductions, how DSM can provide a reliable resource through best-in-class program design, outreach approaches to deliver peak load reductions that support emergency reliability, and how we’re reshaping all programs to increase the focus on our underserved communities.
Can’t wait to catch up? Watch our recent webinars on Energy Forum for a glimpse of what you’re in for, or check out our Energy Efficiency, Energy Transition and Carbon Consulting practices featured in the events above.
Keep an eye on our social media for real-time updates and more! On April 7, we’ll take a look at World Health Day through the lens of energy efficiency. How can our industry improve our communities’ health? Follow us to find out.
Follow us on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Blog .
On March 21 the SEC issued a proposal that would require publicly traded companies to publish uniform greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and detail how they are managing risks related to climate change. The new rules would focus on how businesses measure and disclose emissions and the effect of climate-related risks on business operations. These mandates are intended to provide investors with information necessary to better assess companies’ overall financial risks. The proposal stipulates that independent reviews must be performed by a third-party entity.
Companies would benefit from selecting a vendor that can not only measure current-state emissions, but also develop a plan to reduce GHG and reduce energy cost expenditure. Carbon emission measurements are not always simple to quantify—assessments require thoughtful planning and comprehensive understanding of the SEC’s proposed mandates and timelines. Businesses must also look ahead and take action to improve their sustainability. These roadmaps should be dynamic and flexible, allowing for regulation updates, priority shifts and optimization opportunities. Companies should also consider and evaluate the benefit of on-site generation and carbon offset purchases to further reduce their environmental impact. All reporting should detail progress in a manner compliant with the SEC proposed regulations.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues have become increasingly important to investors, advisors and regulators in recent years. Even without the introduction of a new disclosure standard, companies that have successfully grafted ESG performance into their corporate DNA have often outperformed others in terms of stock price, overall management and “peer perception” within their respective industries. ESG metrics help fill in some of the gray areas between financial performance and the impact of the companies’ activities. Accounting for climate risk would move the SEC towards its “core bargain” of full and fair disclosure.
Addressing climate risk begins with accurately measuring your carbon footprint. This establishes a baseline before developing a roadmap to implement energy efficiency solutions with achievable milestones. Companies shouldn’t wait. Carbon footprinting, emissions reduction, and accurate reporting are multi-stage processes that require organizational buy-in and commitment. While the process is robust, it can have significant benefits in energy savings and environmental impact. Through our Carbon Consulting practice we offer a full suite of services, including:
Assessing a company’s carbon footprint
Identifying new strategies to reduce GHG emissions
Designing and implementing energy efficiency plans
Driving scheduled improvements on an ongoing basis
To learn more about our services, visit our Carbon Consulting web page or contact us to schedule a no-cost initial assessment.
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In February 2022, we hosted our first webinar focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for energy efficiency programs. Our moderator and Partner Diversity Regional Lead, Andrenika Whisenton, shared her expertise and led our three guest speakers through a range of research, common misconceptions and strategies that program managers, partners and other leaders can put into action right away.
Watch the full hour-long webinar here to dive into every detail or browse through the clips below for five key takeaways that you’ll want to share with your teams. Itching for more DEI discussions? Follow us on your social channel of choice or send us a message to be the first to know when the next webinar takes place!
1. Improving DEI must be done intentionally.
The benefits of DEI are abundant and clear. “DEI breeds creativity, innovation and an enhanced sense of belonging and engagement for everyone,” Andrenika specified as she kicked off the conversation. ““For these efforts to truly be successful,” she continued, “there must be acceptance from all of us…DEI doesn’t just happen, it has to be intentional.”
Actively designing energy efficiency programs to address the inequities faced by underserved communities, such as disproportionately higher energy burdens and environmental costs caused by climate change, is necessary to achieve our common goal of lowering energy use. For example, low-income households spend three times more of their income on energy costs than non-low-income households. They are also more likely to live and work in energy inefficient buildings and less likely to easily access the resources needed to lower their costs.
By intentionally designing energy-saving rebate and assistance program to reach these customers, efficiency programs will be able to upgrade the most outdated energy systems, reduce the impact on our environment and improve people’s lives by saving them money all at once.
2. People of color prioritize the environment more than white people.
There’s a common myth that people of color are only focused on the costs of their energy use and not on the environmental impact. During our conversation however, Nathan Shannon, President and CEO of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, presented research that showed just the opposite. In their study on “Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers”, the data showed that people of color, and black people in particular, were more likely to prioritize the environment than white people and have heightened concerns about air quality and pollution in their communities.
This increased concern was also linked to a higher interest in smart energy technologies and energy data sharing programs commonly connected to smart thermostats. The key for energy providers and program managers? Education, messaging and empathy can help you tap into a customer base that is very ready to engage.
3. Advance diverse businesses by breaking down barriers.
When it comes to DEI for businesses, partnerships are key. Small businesses owned by people of color in particular are often left out of the partnerships and processes needed to advance and scale quickly. To help these businesses thrive, Sylvester Johnson, our Director of Supplier Diversity, says that it all starts with barriers and giving people the resources they need to overcome them.
“We have to make sure that we’re intentional,” Sylvester reinforced. “We’re putting these things in place so that we can take these businesses to the next level because we’re doing so much to contribute back to these communities that we want to help, that we want to see grow.”
For energy efficiency programs and larger organizations, these means creating easier pathways for small businesses to form those necessary partnerships that connect them to capital and other accelerating solutions available in their communities.
4. Actively participate in your local communities.
How can energy efficiency programs build stronger community partnerships? Get involved! Connecting with organizations and businesses that have longstanding trust in your community can give your programs greater validity and increased engagement, especially amongst traditionally hard-to-reach customers.
This is your chance to get creative and think beyond the box that energy efficiency or transition programs occasionally get trapped in. Activities like participating in local clothing drives, volunteering with community food banks, or setting up a free EV test drive event are just a few ideas from our discussion to help your team get the ball rolling.
5. Address local language barriers, including simpler English.
Recognizing local language barriers is an important step towards improving DEI in your organization’s program strategy and figuring out which community you’re missing isn’t always simple. Most energy efficiency teams, however, don’t have the appropriate staff to fill the gaps that may be needed.
In our conversation, the panelists all agreed that there are many local translating services, small businesses and community organization that would be happy to help. These locally based organizations may also be more in touch with the language needs of your community and are often easier to access than you might think.
One thing most teams are able to address immediately is to identify opportunities to simplify the English in any current program materials to ensure that the messaging is clear, understandable and relatable to your local audience.
To make sure your program and team have all DEI details and strategies for success, we encourage you to watch the full webinar and keep the conversation going!
Have a question or idea for a future topic? Email our team at brand@clearesult.com.
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In CLEAResult’s February 2022 webinar, Emphasizing DEI in Energy, our Partner Diversity Regional Lead, Andrenika Whisenton led a lively and detailed discussion on how to improve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in energy efficiency programs across the U.S. and Canada. She was joined by leaders from around the industry to review research, breakdown myths and talk through strategies that energy program managers, businesses and other community leaders can start implementing today. Keep the conversation going by sending us your feedback or sharing this webinar with your friends and colleagues! Presenters included: Andrenika WhisentonPartner Diversity Regional LeadCLEAResult Sylvester JohnsonDirector, Supplier DiversityCLEAResult Nathan ShannonPresident & CEOSmart Energy Consumer Collaborative Monica MartinezPrincipal & Chief Policy Development StrategistRuben Strategy Group
Webinar .
This march, we’re heading into a final four of our own with four live thought leadership conversations at industry conferences. Our teams will be taking on topics from diversity to decarbonization and beyond. Take a look at our schedule below and register to join us live!
Can’t wait to catch up? Watch our recent webinars on Energy Forum for a glimpse of what you’re in for or check out our Energy Efficiency, Energy Transition and Carbon Consulting practices featured in the below events.
MARCH EVENTS SCHEDULE
Texas Energy Summit – March 2-4, 2022
Where: Texas State Capitol, Austin, TX
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us:
Andrenika Whisenton, Central Partner Diversity Regional Lead, will then share her expertise on “Engaging Communities in Sustainability and Resiliency” at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2.
Right afterward, Keri Macklin, Vice President, SEM & Carbon Consulting Practices, will be leading a conversation around “Replacing the Highest Polluting Power Plants with Cleaner, More Reliable Sources” at 4 p.m.
CEA Utility & Efficiency Program Best Practices for Controlled Environment Agriculture
Thursday, March 17
1-2 p.m. ET
Where: Virtual
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us:
In Resource Innovation Institute’s Harvesting Savings workshop of 2022, you will hear from CLEAResult's Jeannie Sikora and other subject matter experts about opportunities for resource acquisition and market transformation presented by efficiency programs serving greenhouse and indoor operations growing food and floriculture crops.
EEI Spring National Key Account Workshop – March 20-23, 2022
Where: Hyatt Regency New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us:
Make sure to connect with Daniel Cote, Sr. Manager of National Accounts, or any of our attending national accounts team in the conference app prior to the event!
2022 Hot Water Forum – March 21-23, 2022
Where: Virtual conference
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us:
Bruce Manclark, Senior Business Intelligence Consultant, will be walking attendees through “Winning the Trade Wars: Recruiting Contractors for Utility Programs” at 1:45 p.m. on March 21. He will then share his unique experience once again during the “Installing Heat Pump Water Heaters in Manufactured Homes” session at 3 p.m. on March 23. Don’t miss out on these back-to-back Bruce speaking sessions!
Environment+Energy Leader Virtual Energy Management Summit – March 22, 2022
Where: Virtual summit
How to attend: Register today
Why join us:
What’s better than a free conference? Getting to connect with our Green House Gas Management SMEs and industry leaders to hear their first-hand experiences of how they’ve found success.
AESP Annual Conference & Exposition – March 22-23 and March 29-31, 2022
Where: Virtual programming
How to attend: Register today
Why join us:
Missed any of our in-person events or want a refresher? Revisit all our thought leader’s content above during this two-day event and learn even more with live Q&A sessions.
AEE East Energy Conference & Expo – March 23-24, 2022
Where: Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, OH
How to attend: Register today
Where to find us:
We’ll have two team members in the crowd ready to connect. Check our social channels for the latest info and where to find them!
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After three years in the making, this past January CLEAResult proudly came together with some of the largest power supply manufacturers in the world for the Industrial PSU Certification Workshop at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) facility in Knoxville, TN. At this milestone meeting, we hosted Delta Electronics, Inc., Artesyn Technologies and ABB Ltd. with the goal of gaining hands-on experience with the value 80 PLUS® certifications, discussing best practices and analyzing successful approaches for accelerating energy-efficient industrial power supply adoption.
During this two-day event, we expanded relationships between manufacturers and sought to understand where we can better serve their needs. Conversations confirmed that we are hitting the mark on the 115-volt power supply specifications, and also led to exciting new insights, including the possibility of two new specifications—the 230-volt power supply and the 40-volt AC DC. The 40-volt AC DC specification expansion could have big implications for energy efficiency savings in the horticulture space. While these three specifications have disparate applications, each one delivers on our core competency and objective of bringing to market a qualified list of energy efficiency products that benefit our clients and their customers.
Our discussions not only provided fruitful feedback and brought to light new specifications, but they also revealed a widespread interest for this meeting of the minds to occur on a more routine or annual basis in order to continually improve our 80 PLUS® certifications. Furthermore, the closing question and answer segment inspired an open dialogue that showed us where we can continue to lean in and move the needle for these power supply manufacturers.
Lastly, one of the meeting's main highlights, a tour of the EPRI facility, proved to be a popular crowd-pleaser. Attendees even had the opportunity to send in two power supply samples to be tested in real-time, giving them a deeper understanding of the hard work that happens there daily. All in all, the event was a huge success and we can’t wait to welcome them back soon.
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The popular tourist destination, Tucson, AZ, is gaining yet another attraction, but this one has nothing to do with spectacular art or sumptuous dining. Thanks to Hotel Congress and Tucson Electric Power (TEP), the lively, artisan-filled streets of Tucson are now home to a robust, centrally located hub of electric vehicle (EV) chargers—and CLEAResult’s expertise was involved every step of the way. From assessments and project scoping to connecting hotelier, Toddy Hanley, with vendors, as well as helping to navigate additional funding, the partnership between CLEAResult and TEP helped make this project a reality. Self-described as a rock n’ roll establishment, Hotel Congress has been grooving to its own beat since 1919 and continues to this day by demonstrating how businesses can identify new opportunities for growth through sustainably adapting to the demands of climate change. The project began in 2020 when Hanley reached out to the TEP Smart EV Charging Program to learn more about the benefits of installing EV chargers. Additional stakeholders who made this initiative possible include Chapman Automotive, The City of Tucson, Mrs. Green (a local sustainability advocacy PR firm) and Local First Arizona (a nonprofit organization committed to community and economic development in Arizona). A year and a half after its conception, the EV chargers project was completed, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on January 11, 2022. The timing couldn’t have been better. CLEAResult research suggests that the number of charging stations in Tucson will need to increase from less than 200 to more than 800 Level 2 charging ports and 65 DCFC ports by 2025 in order to keep up with demand. The ripples of its positive impact are just starting to be felt beyond the city limits of Tucson and across Arizona. Hotel Congress will serve as the case study and inspiration behind a newly launched program called: Charge Ahead Challenge—which is part of Local First Arizona’s program to teach small businesses to be more sustainable and resilient. Given our firsthand experience, CLEAResult will continue to work closely with TEP and other organizations as a technical partner. Now with Tucson on the fast track to becoming a beacon for EV infrastructure, its fresh air and pollution-free skies give tourists one more reason to visit. This forward-thinking community is an example for all, and we’re proud to continue the work of transforming Arizona in close partnership with TEP. Read more about this project transpor… electrification work.
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Looking to improve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in your energy efficiency program but not sure where to start? Join our Emphasizing DEI in Energy webinar on February 24 at 12 p.m. CST for a free-flowing conversation that’s focused on action.
Our moderator, Andrenika Whisenton, will lead industry thought leaders through a roundtable discussion on a range of topics including reaching underserved communities, building diverse supplier and partner relationships, reducing energy burdens and more. We’ll then open the floor to audience questions and comments for as long as time allows.
Presenters include:
Andrenika Whisenton
Partner Diversity Regional Lead
CLEAResult
Sylvester Johnson
Director, Supplier Diversity
CLEAResult
Nathan Shannon
President & CEO
Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative
Register Now ›
Webinar .
Small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been especially difficult for retailers, restaurants and other establishments that thrive on in-person customer experiences. Businesses that have survived have had to endure nearly two years of economic whiplash, confusing public policy guidance, supply chain disruptions and rising costs—all while doing their best to keep staff and customers safe.
With the pandemic endgame (hopefully) in sight, many businesses are in the process of regaining their footing and looking forward to getting back to what they do best, delighting their customers. While many businesses were protected by shutoff moratoriums or bill arrearage programs, many of those programs have expired or will expire soon, and energy costs will be a persistent barrier to financial recovery.
Fortunately, many utilities offer energy efficiency programs specifically designed to serve the unique needs and challenges of small businesses. These programs provide incentives for investments that lower energy use and save money to help improve a business’ bottom line. Installing energy efficiency improvements can reduce the time businesses may need to get back into the black, and often have important non-energy benefits such as improving indoor air quality, reducing maintenance costs, increasing comfort and supporting workplace safety.
Our energy efficiency experts have a long history designing and implementing small business programs across North America by providing:
Data-driven marketing and outreach
Free virtual and on-site energy assessments
Energy management planning and coaching
Rebate fulfillment and equipment installations
Qualified, reliable and diverse trade ally networks
The key to success? Meeting small business customers where they are and making it easy and engaging to participate.
This means eliminating paperwork, streamlining decision-making, minimizing business interruptions and ensuring quality work every time. To get the job done, we create a thorough mix of innovative technology, thoughtful program design and carefully managed trade allies to reach everyone in our communities equally. Small business communities are small and well-connected, meaning word of mouth spreads fast. Successful projects and positive experiences are likely to be a program’s best marketing tool.
We also find that these programs have the greatest impact when they are closely aligned with complimentary, community-based organizations that have a similar goal of supporting growth and success among small businesses. For example, your customers may also benefit from their local chambers of commerce or regional economic development corporations.
By leading businesses to additional savings and resources like federal grants, utility efficiency programs can set themselves apart as a support-multiplier for members of their community who are still recovering from the last two years.
For a full look at how we can grow your Small Business Energy Efficiency program, check out our comprehensive one-pager or complete our contact form.
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In the bustling metropolis of California’s Bay Area, staying competitive means looking at all aspects of how your business functions on a daily basis, including energy usage. That’s why Filipino food manufacturer, Ramar Foods, considers MCE’s Strategic Energy Management Program (SEM) implemented by CLEAResult, to be an invaluable investment in both the short and long-term growth of their company. After conducting a walk-through and technical energy assessment, our specialists provided the necessary tools, knowledge, and expertise to understand how energy is used at Ramar Foods’ facility, as well as the steps needed to make vast energy efficiency improvements. Our experts’ individualized coaching and guidance made a huge impact on lowering Ramar Foods’ energy bills, in addition to the structure of their company. One of the main components of our partnership, for example, was to help Ramar Foods develop an internal team dedicated to analyzing their operations through a holistic energy efficiency lens. By tapping into the available cash rebates that reward these initiatives, creating their internal committee was easy and affordable. The end result? While most businesses save between 3-15% total in energy costs with SEM improvements, Ramar Foods found success early on with a single refrigeration design change recommendation from our engineers that lowered their refrigeration costs by about 8%. Plus, with their continuous improvement committee now in place, every member of the Ramar Foods team will have a voice in the company’s energy conservation efforts. “The culture of Ramar encourages voices, encourages engagement, so now everyone is contributing–making everything better.” – M. Baleva, Continuous Improvement Manager, Ramar Foods. Watch the full testimonial video below to see SEM savings in action or visit our practice page to learn how your facility can save energy and money for years to come.
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Whether it’s your marketers feeling it or your customer, promotion fatigue is real and can unknowingly hinder your campaign’s effectiveness. That’s where we come in. By combining cutting-edge predictive analytics with our teams’ localized energy expertise, CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights brings all your data together in a simple, visual dashboard so you can consistently find new ways to keep your campaigns feeling fresh. Here are the top five ways our tech makes energy efficiency campaigns more effective: Find the right audience.People are central to everything we do and connecting your offers to the right customers is no exception. CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights lets you integrate internal and third-party market segmentation data, including demographics, past participation, building information, communication preferences and more to give you a full picture of your customers’ most likely path to taking action. Spend less on quality leads. By combining our audience profiles with easily accessible monthly data, there’s no need to waste your budget on real-time meter data or AMI integration to determine a customer’s energy burden and usage habits, especially when income estimates are included. This approach allows us to broaden our scope, lower costs and identify the best energy efficiency offers for your target customers. Personalize customer engagement with predictive messaging.Choosing the right channel, message and media to reach your customers is easy with the power of CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights. We’ll show you the best way to map out your messaging by product and customer profile so you can make sure everyone in your community is seeing the energy efficiency upgrades that suit their needs, giving you a higher chance of success. To give you an idea of what this looks like in action, take a look at this segmentation flow chart example from our Energy Forum 2021 Lighting Talk with … Mountain Power (RMP). In an effort to improve air quality and program participation in energy-efficient home cooling upgrades like evaporative coolers, ductless heat pumps and dual fuel heat pumps, our teams used analysis from CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights to map out the right offers for the right homes and the right people."We needed a way to estimate the right offers for the right homes and the right people.” – Matt Braman, Client Analytics, CLEAResult Visualize and analyze campaign performance.With CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights keeping an eye on your campaign and aggregated data in a customized dashboard, you can easily view, track and report on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of your choosing. Each dashboard or report can also be shared centrally between your team or third-party vendors and clients so that everyone has access to the same data to review.For example, in our RMP cooling campaign above, the teams decided to move forward with testing a weather-triggered email strategy that aligned with our data-backed predictive customer pathways. We tracked open rates, click throughs, web traffic, rebate fulfillment and more to get a clear picture of success and found that the weather-triggered emails exceeded our average open and click-through rate by 50% within the first two months of the campaign. Web traffic also increased around the time of each send, and most importantly, the results showed that rebate redemptions on evaporative coolers doubled compared to the same months in the previous year, making the campaign a huge success for our marketers, residential customers and our environment.Thanks to our collaborative effort and easy alignment through the CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights’ dashboard, we were all inspired to continuously refine and improve this strategy and repeat our success. Turn insights into action.Bringing analytics into campaigns early on allows us to better understand who our clients’ Energy Efficiency programs are serving best, as well as who we may be missing in our target audiences. As we build out dashboards and review learnings from campaigns across the country, our data and decisions only become richer and more impactful. Every new insight discovery is an opportunity for improvement, increased engagement and higher customer satisfaction. Watch the full 9-minute Energy Forum Lightning Talk below!
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And just like that, we have passed the mid-point of January and our team members are ramping up industry thought leadership for 2022.
Last week, our own Residential Portfolio Lead, Seth Little, conveyed to ~85 ACEEE webinar attendees that our Virtual Energy Assessments are the real deal–and not just due to cutting-edge tech enabling live augmented reality (AR) remote support, but most importantly, to the human connection and engagement they provide.
Seth, alongside moderator Reuven Sussman and ACEEE’s Emma Cooper, who shared TVA Case Study Results, spoke to the importance of customer engagement being fostered by convenience, choice and control.
The options available for assessments, whether they be virtual, online or in-person, allow our clients to connect directly with residential and business customers and meet them where they are. Each option also encourages and enables increased program participation by giving customers active roles in improving their energy efficiency to save money and energy while protecting our environment all at once.
A big thank you to all that took part in the lively Q&A segment! You can watch an on-demand recording of this ACEEE “Encouraging Home Upgrades and Meeting Climate Goals Through Remote Assessments” webinar on their website.
In February, we can be spotted speaking, sponsoring, and attending events in Illinois and Tennessee.
In the Windy City, Andrenika Whisenton, Regional Partner Diversity Lead, will take the MEEA MES stage alongside Briana DuBose of EcoWorks, Katie Frye of Minnesota Power and moderator Mari Ojeda of Fresh Energy for “Energy Affordability Roadblocks and Strategies for Success”. If you’re in the area, come visit with our entire event team at our interactive booth on February 1–3.
From the Windy City to Music City, we’re ready to Converge on Tomorrow’s Challenges as the opening and closing keynote sponsor for AESP's 32nd Annual Conference & Expo February 7-10. Together with AESP, we will welcome Shalanda H. Baker, Secretarial Advisor on Equity and Deputy Director for Energy Justice in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy, to open the conference.
Our team will wrap up the week by moderating a much anticipated and to be announced closing keynote. Between the keynotes, Andrenika Whisenton will once again share diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) insights as the moderator of a DEI and Utility Program session focused on leveraging internships with Energy Bees, ENCOLOR and Walker Miller.
James Russell, Director, Transportation Electrification, will highlight the newest data from our fleet programs and especially focus on how a cohort-based approach aides fleet managers with roadmap development. He will share the panel stage with ICF, National Grid, Exelon and Sparrow Energy.
Justin Pate, Southeast Operations Field Manager, will explore a smart stat case study with the audience and speak to innovative ways to address specialized customer segments.
An interactive version of the AESP 32nd Annual Conference & Expo agenda can be found here.
If you simply can’t wait to hear from us or are unable to join in person, check out the latest on our Energy Efficiency and Energy Transition practices featured in the above events.
To join us live, register for either event at the links below!
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Midwest Energy Solutions Conference (MEEA MES) February 1-3
AESP's 32nd Annual Conference & Expo February 7-10
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It may be frigid in Chicago, but we’re excited to discuss our industry’s hottest trends at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Midwest Energy Solutions Conference (MEEA MES) February 1-3. MEEA MES is an important opportunity to gather with fellow stakeholders, celebrate wins, and develop innovative solutions that advance the bright future of our industry. We are thrilled to sponsor this event once again and even more excited to share our interactive booth with you in the expo hall! On Tuesday, February 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST, our very own Andrenika Whisenton will present alongside Briana DuBose of EcoWorks, Katie Frye of Minnesota Power and moderator Mari Ojeda of Fresh Energy for a lively conversation around “Energy Affordability Roadblocks and Strategies for Success”. To view the full agenda and register to join us, please visit https://www.m… you there!
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What does behavioral science have to do with energy efficiency? Yesterday, our , Seth Little, spoke with moderator Reuven Sussman and ACEEE’s Emma Cooper about just that. The group focused their conversation on Virtual Energy Assessments and how better understanding each potential participant’s needs can increase engagement, drive additional rebate-eligible upgrades and even combat climate change from the comfort of home. ACEEE also shared a new report based on a survey of in-person and remote assessment participants.
If you missed out on this engaging discussion, you can watch the full recording here
Make sure to check back next week for our first monthly event’s blog for even more insights you can use to grow and improve your residential Energy Efficiency programs!
Webinar .
Ready for winter? Watch our energy efficiency expert, Seth Little, share top weatherization tips with Karleen Leveille on WBNG.
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Our 80 PLUS® team and industry insiders will gather January 18 and 19 for an exclusive workshop at the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) research and testing facility in Knoxville, TN. Together, our group will tour the EPRI facility, gain hands on experience with the value 80 PLUS® certifications bring to products in the market, discuss best practices and analyze successful approaches for accelerating energy-efficient industrial power supply adoption.
Discover how 80 PLUS® has grown worldwide on our Testing and Certification practice page.
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In December, we we’re thrilled to host Frank Rapley from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, for a deep dive webinar on TVA’s Home Uplift program and some free-flowing conversation on the challenges, environment, and policy around low- and moderate-income (LMI) programs across the nation. For those that missed our great discussion, here are some of the top takeaways for building successful LMI programs like TVA Home Uplift:Cost-effectiveness may not be the right measure of LMI program success. Traditional cost-effectiveness measures may miss the mark when it comes evaluating or building a robust LMI program. Measures and savings potential only tell part of the story and don’t account for customer education, financial flexibility due to lower utility bills, and improved non-energy impacts (including health and comfort) that come along with building envelope or HVAC improvements. Ensuring that utilities and regulators properly value the long-term benefits of energy efficiency and providing assistance to customers with the most need will continue to be major focus areas for improving and expanding LMI programs. There are multiple pathways to funding. TVA’s Home Uplift program utilizes funds from local utility companies and community organizations, including state energy offices and local foundations, which are then matched by TVA to increase the ability of each utility to deliver on their program goals. While this approach may not be right for every program, it’s important to recognize that there may be organizations within these communities that are willing to spend money or resources to achieve similar goals as a utility LMI program.“Community champions” help pave the way to building trust. Many communities do not have a high level of trust or knowledge of utility program savings or energy efficiency, so forging personal relationships with potential advocates in these areas is important and necessary to succeed. Community leaders may be as diverse as pastors and church members, teachers and coaches, or simply the neighbor down the street that knows everyone on the block. Identifying and connecting with these well-trusted community members can be key to successfully spreading the word and educating a group of customers. These lessons are just the beginning of what was covered in our webinar, Unlocking LMI Potential: A TVA Home Uplift Success Story. You can access the full webinar here, and if you have any questions about LMI program implementation or have topics you’d like to see discussed in the future, please send us an email.
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Home Energy Assessments continue to be a staple of utility program efforts to reach new customers, identify savings opportunities and improve energy habits across the nation. But with shifting baselines, changing customer expectations and the ever-evolving landscape of COVID-19 protocols, many utilities and energy efficiency implementers have reconsidered the most effective ways to conduct these assessments. While in-person assessments have long dominated the market, online and virtual assessments continue to grow and provide cost-effective alternatives to the traditional approach. Let’s look at how each of these options can help utility programs maximize savings, maintain cost effectiveness and, most importantly, help customers begin or continue their energy-saving journey.In-Person Assessments: Traditional assessments typically involve a trained energy advisor visiting a customer’s home, installing efficiency upgrades, identifying additional opportunities for savings, and working directly with the customer to guide them to program offers or incentives that make sense. With a chance to physically inspect HVAC equipment, appliances or insulation, energy advisors can make personalized recommendations and walk customers through exactly what they can do to improve their home energy use. Additionally, in-person direct install measures, like LED light bulbs or showerheads, guarantees everything is properly set up to save energy. This tried-and-true approach has been a critical piece of many utilities approach to driving customer engagement, education and conversion for decadesWhile in-person assessments have many benefits including thoroughness and the opportunity to build a personal connection with a customer, they can also have their drawbacks. These programs have historically included a high cost of delivery, such as requiring field staff time to travel to and from each home, low conversion rates due to customer time commitment, or lack of follow-up and new hurdles due to COVID-19.Online Assessments: One alternative to in-person assessments is to move fully online and put the power in the customer’s hands. Many energy efficiency programs offer web-based or mobile assessment tools that are available 24 hours a day to walk customers through a series of questions about their home and then make recommendations based on their answers. This popular offering eliminates the need for field team members in homes, allows the customer to conduct the assessment at their convenience, and easily allows utilities to guide customers to other resources online. It also serves as a valuable lead generation and data collection tool for utility programs to further customizing their customer engagement strategy and energy efficiency journeys.Online assessments are limited by the customer’s knowledge and expertise. Customers can easily miss energy-saving opportunities that a in-person inspection performed by an energy expert may catch. While it may be easier to get customers to sign up for an online assessment, there’s no guarantee they will move forward with any of the recommendations or incentive offerings.Virtual Assessments: By blending many of the benefits of in-person visits, virtual assessments can ease some of the cost burdens that utilities and customers may face. In 2020, our teams deployed an advanced and fully remote face-to-face video solution that pairs the expert delivery of on-site appointments with real-time customer connections using their mobile phone or tablet. This allows our virtual assessments to have all the personal touches of an in-person assessment while keeping the convenience of an online toolIntead of customers relying on their own experience, an energy advisor is there to listen and help them identify what to look for to ensure the customer is provided accurate, actionable data and tailored recommendations for next steps. This approach also keeps the customer engaged throughout the process, even more than an in-person assessment might.While virtual assessments cannot deliver diagnostic measurements such as air leakage rates or combustion testing, the quality of observations and recommendations made by a trained remote energy advisor tend to be equal to those made on site. Plus, these assessments provide superior documentation with time stamped, geo-located high-resolution photos and video records of the entire engagement. Add-in the gains from customer convenience and utility cost-effectiveness, this is a great way to deliver the future of energy efficiency experiences today. So, after all that, which assessment type is best? While each has their own pros and cons, and there is no one-size-fits all answer to meeting customer needs, there is an emerging best practice that suggests that all three solutions are key pillars in a successful and equitable Home Energy Assessment delivery model. Some customers may opt for the convenience and simplicity of an online assessments. Others may be candidates for an in-home diagnostic experience. Program teams may also use information from online or virtual assessments to identify the best candidates for deeper on-site assessments. By tailoring assessment options to your customers’ needs, utilities can connect with even more people to help them take their first and next steps towards a more efficient home. To see how all our assessment options work together, visit our Energy Efficiency practice page or check out our 2020 webinar Home Energy Assessments: Choice, Convenience, and Control.
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On December 16, 2021, CLEAResult and TVA hosted a webinar about Unlocking LMI Potential: A TVA Home Uplift Success Story. In a conversation with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), sustainability, equity, and energy savings converged as the successes of their growing limited income program, Home Uplift were highlighted. Hear how our teams came together to improve the energy efficiency of historically hard-to-reach homes and bring meaningful savings to those who need it most.
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Sending gratitude and season’s greetings to you and yours 2021 brought us all together again. In a year that ebbed and flowed more than most, we stayed flexible and focused to change the way people use energy, for everyone.This year, as people continued to navigate an ever-changing landscape, our flexibility paid off in a big way—to the tune of 6 billion+ kWh and 54 million+ therms / 2.3 million+ metric tons of CO2 emissions saved. Together, year after year, we’re making our world environmentally sustainable. To our clients and partners in energy reduction and our expert teams who bring our mission to life…Thank you!CLEAResult
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Austin, Texas (December 16, 2021) – This winter, we’re making it easier than ever for utilities, trade allies and consumers to grow their energy efficiency knowledge and understanding of its technologies lead to environmental sustainability. As part of the CLEAResult ATLAS™ platform, we’re launching CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy, an e-learning digital interface offering on-demand trainings, do-it-yourself tips, weatherization techniques and home efficiency tools for saving energy and lowering the carbon footprints of energy providers, businesses and people across North America. “For years, CLEAResult has been providing utilities with the necessary technical solutions needed to be responsive to the changing demands of energy consumers,” says Shannon Meserole, CLEAResult Senior Learning and Development Manager. “The launch of CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy allows us to move classroom training directly into the hands of trade allies who are implementing energy efficiency solutions and to consumers using them so energy savings can be achieved across the board.” CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy expands access to the game-changing energy efficiency tools found across our data-rich technology platform, connecting customers, distributors and trade allies to valuable content and courses that accelerate energy savings for everyone. Building on other CLEAResult ATLAS™ tools like CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights and CLEAResult ATLAS™ Marketplace, CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy meets the different educational demands of stakeholders with the ability to create custom learning modules for unique audiences, curated from our vast catalog and seamlessly integrated existing outside content. The user-friendly, custom e-learning experience encourages communities to confidently reduce energy use and participate in our changing energy landscape. CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy’s digital training programs work to address many of the difficulties and challenges that have been growing across the energy industry. Since early 2020, utilities and trade allies have had to explore new ways to onboard and maintain a skilled workforce without in-person trainings or site visits, and consumers have shown a similar hesitancy by avoiding face-to-face interactions where they can. CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy meets both these needs and more, allowing for flexible, safe and dependable service by taking the “in-person” aspect out of routine energy interactions. Our teams have been piloting CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy with several utility operators and trade allies nationwide. Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) was among the first to launch CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy in February 2021, leveraging its capabilities and tools throughout the company’s portfolio of work. The program created e-learning solutions crafted by our energy experts specifically for SWEPCO’s needs, allowing instant access to deployable training opportunities. “Over the last 18 months, we’ve had to ensure that SWEPCO is not only offering customers the same safe and reliable service they’re used to under normal conditions, but that our service contractors have reliable access to the tools they need to succeed,” said Sherry McCormack, EE & Consumer Programs Manager at SWEPCO. “The streamlined tools within CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy have given us the flexibility to keep developing a trained network of energy service professionals that our customers can always count on.” CLEAResult ATLAS™ is the foundation that connects all our energy efficiency solutions in a single, interconnected framework. CLEAResult ATLAS™ integrates third-party data sources and legacy systems into a fully scalable technology offering that is built to streamline expansion of efficiency programs and help utilities better manage shifting baselines and customer needs by consolidating energy programs into a single online portal. To get more details about CLEAResult ATLAS™ Academy and the CLEAResult ATLAS™ platform, visit A… CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. &nb… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram
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On December 7th from 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. ET, join CLEAResult and other SEEA members, staff, and board for the SEEA Virtual Meet & Greet – a festive winter holiday themed gathering. Our own Stanford Wiley will share some of CLEAResult’s most exciting insights.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdeytrjoqEtXLZjfYeXIKn8ikk0…;
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October is Energy Awareness Month. As temperatures drop this time of year, it’s the perfect time to think about your energy use and ways to use energy more efficiently. Every day we work to change the way people use energy through innovative energy programs such as home energy audits, distributed energy resources, electric vehicle shared charging, etc. Implementing changes from energy programs can equal big savings, but small changes can also make a big impact. That’s why we put together ten simple energy tips to start today. 1. Walk or bike. Next time you head out, choose to walk or bike instead of taking your car wherever possible. On average, the energy one family uses driving cars daily is roughly 10 times what we need to power a house for one day. Using a more sustainable choice always makes a difference. 2. Dim your screen. Assess the brightness of your computer screen and reduce the brightness. Turning your computer screen’s brightness down to 70 percent can save you up to 20 percent more energy and make your battery last even longer. 3. Opt out of spam emails. From unread newsletters to expired promotions, spam emails waste space and use around 33 billion kWh of electricity every year, according to one McAfee study. By opting out, you can help lower send lists to reduce their energy use, while clearing space in your inbox. 4. Wash your clothes on cold. Approximately 90 percent of the energy you use washing clothes comes from heating the water. Choosing to wash your clothes on cold can significantly reduce the energy you use in every load. Plus, it’s often better for clothes in the long run! 5. Shop small. Shop local. By heading to a business nearby instead of ordering online, you’ll reduce the electricity needed to shop without sacrificing convenience. You’ll also get to meet the makers and markets in your community, whose creative energy helps keep our local economies strong. It’s a win-win for the environment and your local small businesses. 6. Unplug when not in use! How many devices do you have plugged in and not in use at home right now? Take a quick walk around and unplug a few things you don’t use frequently to avoid drawing unnecessary power to those items. 7. Avoid using extra electricity during peak times. When it’s extremely hot or cold it puts a strain on the energy grid. If you have an electric vehicle, do not plug it in during peak times. Avoid doing laundry during this time. Run your AC at a higher temperature and your heat at a lower temperature. Once the peak time has passed, you can draw more power. 8. Listen to music offline. If you were to stream music or podcasts for an entire eight-hour workday, you’d burn through nearly 1 GB. 9. Regularly clean or replace filters in your home. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary. Plus, changing filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations is a great way to keep your home healthy. 10. Donate, reuse, or buy a gently used costume for Halloween! The textile industry consumes much more energy than you might think, especially when you include the transportation needed to move materials worldwide. By reusing an old costume or donating to a local thrift store, you’ll help reduce the energy required to make new materials. Plus, you may even end up with the most unique costume in the neighborhood! These energy-saving tips are by no means exhaustive, but they’re easy and accessible changes that make a real impact on our world for future generations. Being mindful of your energy use is a step in the right direction toward all our energy and sustainability goals. These tips show small lifestyle changes can have a major impact. If you’re looking for more ways to revolutionize how you use energy, get in touch.
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DENVER (October 14, 2021) – Xcel Energy and program provider CLEAResult are going electric. The companies have agreed to transition CLEAResult’s local fleet of field services vehicles to a mix of fully electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles for Xcel Energy’s Home Energy Squad visits. The first fully electric Home Energy Squad electric vehicle (EV) will hit the roads of Xcel Energy territory this month, as CLEAResult continues working towards its goal of transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet. “The combination of the used EV inventory, tax credits, manufacturer rebates, and local dealership incentives have made it easier and more affordable than ever to drive electric,” says Rob O’Connell, Xcel Energy program manager. “Our Home Energy Squad is capitalizing on this exciting time and taking real action to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability to our customers and the industry as a whole.”As the customer-facing operator of Xcel Energy’s Home Energy Squad program, CLEAResult’s transition to fleet electrification provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of EV ownership to day-to-day consumers.“We're inspired by the opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of fleet electrification with Xcel Energy, as championing EV adoption is one important way that we are changing the way people use energy. With this initiative we’re able to advance CLEAResult’s own sustainability efforts while demonstrating the same cutting-edge solutions that we’re advising for use with our clients,” said James Russell, CLEAResult practice director. “We look forward to sharing our process and tools as a model for other utilities to accelerate EV adoption, and showing how the Home Energy Squad now conveys to Xcel Energy’s customers that EV adoption is not only possible, but practical.”Xcel Energy and CLEAResult have worked together for more than five years to provide Colorado communities with energy-saving recommendations and improvements, through Home Energy Audits and installation of LED lighting, smart thermostats, and other energy-efficient technologies that deliver electricity and natural gas savings. The EV fleet is the latest complement to the program’s energy benefits, allowing the CLEAResult experts in the field to demonstrate energy-saving practices firsthand through the transition to EV use.To learn more about the benefits of EVs, charging systems, federal tax credits, toll discounts, and where to buy an EV locally, visit ev.xcelenergy.com/incentive… Xcel EnergyXcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions, and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.comTwitterFacebook.CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.comFacebookLinkedInInstagram
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Austin, Texas (July 27, 2021) – The launch of CLEAResult ATLAS™ earlier this year marked a turning point in CLEAResult’s mission to change the way people use energy. Already a leader in developing and implementing technology-based efficiency programs for utilities, CLEAResult is taking another step toward a connected energy future with CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights.With CLEAResult ATLAS™ Marketplace, CLEAResult introduced a groundbreaking commerce solution. With CLEAResult ATLAS™ Connect, they imagined a new way to align people with the programs that will maximize their energy savings. Now, with this third expansion of their foundational ecosystem, CLEAResult is giving utilities the power to operationalize data across sectors and programs. CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights provides cutting-edge predictive energy analytics — and at a lower cost than traditional measures.From the beginning, CLEAResult ATLAS™ was designed to support a diverse array of expansions over time that will broaden the technology’s scope and channel its universal data into new uses and contexts. Thanks to the limitless framework of data that CLEAResult ATLAS™ provides, these expansions are more powerful and cost-effective than comparable traditional measures.CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights leverages that framework to produce an exceptional level of customer-facing insights, predictive customer analytics, and predictive operational analytics. While CLEAResult ATLAS™ Marketplace uses data to inform customers of their next best energy efficiency purchase, CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights informs utilities of where their dollars can best be spent to achieve maximum impact.Each utility client can choose the precise scale of data they’re tapping into, from simple demographic and market analyses to full energy reports and demand response forecasting. The sourcing of the data is both broad and deep, drawn not only through digital customer engagement, but also in-person interactions. Since CLEAResult conducts over 250,000 energy audits and site visits per year, the pool of experience that informs CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights is deeper than any comparative solution on the market.“CLEAResult is uniquely positioned to provide industry-leading insights for utilities — we’ve been doing it for years. But CLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights is different. Never before have we been able to so easily highlight key energy insights across programs and sectors and leverage them in realtime to produce next level energy savings. It cannot be understated that CLEAResult ATLAS™ has unlocked our data-leveraging capabilities in an unprecedented way.” - Matt Braman, Business Intelligence DirectorCLEAResult ATLAS™ Insights promises to set a new standard for what utilities should expect from an energy analytics solution. And thanks to CLEAResult’s expansive network of field operations across North America, the range of data it can utilize is truly best-in-class. Stay tuned for more updates on the groundbreaking innovations and services made possible by CLEAResult ATLAS™.Learn more › About CLEAResult CLEAResult is the largest provider of energy efficiency, energy transition and energy sustainability services in North America. Since 2003, our mission has been to change the way people use energy. Today, our experts lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future for our communities and our planet. Our hometown teams collaborate with a diverse network of local partners to deliver world-class technology and personalized services that make it easy for commercial and industrial businesses, governments, utilities, and residential customers to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 2,700 employees in more than 60 cities across the U.S. and Canada. CLEAResult is majority owned by leading U.S. middle market private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. Explore all our energy solutions at clearesult.com. Fol… us on: Facebook | LinkedInTwitterInstagram
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