Transcript Slide 1

Direct Energy
Low Income Assistance Programs
Low Income Assistance Programs
 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
 Neighbour-to-Neighbour
 Fresh start
 Low income discount
 ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
2
DE’s Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP)
TARGET
Lower income housing residents
OBJECTIVE
Help eligible households reduce energy consumption by providing them with free
energy efficient solutions
PROCESS
Direct Energy in partnership with the City of Houston and CenterPoint
City of Houston:
> identifies target demographics (home age/condition, household size/income)
> contacts local social/community agencies to promote the program/sign up residences
> provides its city logo to Direct Energy to bolster take-up of the program
CenterPoint Energy (LDC):
> designs, funds, and administers the Standard Offer Program (SOP)
> energy efficiency measures are determined with approval from the Public Utilities Commission
> determines compensation, provides pre-/post audits
Direct Energy
> schedules an appointment time with the residence
> evaluates and qualifies the house with Door Blower and Duct Blaster test
> determines, performs, and/or supervises suitable measures of installation
3
Minneapolis Blower Door
4
Minneapolis Duct Blaster
5
Qualifying Residences
 Direct Energy- conducts blower door test, duct test, and a visual inspection
on a house before any work is initiated to determine if a home qualifies for
the program.
 The main causes of a house being disqualified is:




Sheet rock damage (holes to the attic or outside)
High levels of CO2
House envelope is already tight
Sufficient insulation
 In January 258 houses were scheduled
 60 % of the houses qualified
 32% of the houses were disqualified because of sheet rock damage and/or high
levels of CO2
 8% of the houses envelope were already tight and had sufficient insulation
6
Qualifying Measures
 Blown-in cellulose insulation
 Performed by third party subcontractor: Comfortemp Insulation
 Duct sealing
 Requires duct blaster testing pre and post testing – minimum reduction
required depending on tonnage of unit
 Infiltration Reduction
 Requires blower door pre and post testing - minimum 10% reduction
required
 Program measures:
 Caulking of air gaps around windows, doors & baseboards
 Weather-stripping of exterior doors
 Installation of wall outlet and switch insulation gaskets
 Sealing of plumbing penetrations
 Weather-stripping of attic access stairs, doors and scuttles
 Insulation of hot water piping (electric only)
 Installation of water heater insulating blanket (electric only)
 Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
7
REEP Results and Participant
Demographics
Residence Demographics- (1,149 houses)
 1,597 average square footage
 $37,436 average household income
 An average of 3.4 residents per household
 37% are over the age of 65
 Average home was built in 1960s
Residence Participation- (1,149 houses)
 57% of the residence elected to participate in the Residential
Energy Efficiency Program
 68% of the participants received energy efficiency measures
Energy Reduction Centerpoint conducted a study of REEP participants that
received energy efficiency measures, and found the average
house received a19.1% reduction in energy usage.
8
Lessons learned from REEP
 Simplicity – standard package of energy efficiency measures known
to reduce consumption
 Targeting important – housing stock that will benefit the most from
energy efficiency improvements
 Systematic coverage of effected neighbourhoods – builds
momentum and makes roll-out less costly
 Engagement with social agencies - consumers are unlikely to
realise they require energy efficiency assistance and often don’t
believe the services are free
 Flexibility – utility funded but with multiple private sector providers
who can ramp up coverage quickly and efficiently
 Reporting – effective measurement of benefit helps all participants
and fosters confidence in the program
9