Laura Langham E-Conservation Program Manager Dr. Sarah Kirby Associate Professor and Housing Specialist E-Conservation Residential Energy Education Program
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Mission: North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enriches the lives, land and economy of North Carolina. Personnel: 381 faculty and staff at NCSU 694 faculty and staff in county locations (407 county agents) 46,081 volunteers. Facilities: 101 county offices, 2 Regional Extension Centers, 6 4-H Camps and Education Centers Partners: County Governments, USDA, other land grant universities, Energy Efficiency Contractors, etc.
E-Conservation Residential Energy Education Program Provides consumers with education about ways to reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency in the home Teaches consumers to be proactive in reducing energy consumption through no/low cost measures, maximizing utility and government energy efficiency offers, behavioral changes, and home retrofits State Energy Office Funding
E-Conservation Program Reaches consumers through outreach efforts of local county Cooperative Extension Offices
Participating Counties – Last Contract Cycle Plus Cherokee Indian Reservation
E-Conservation Program Reaches consumers through: – Workshops – Website – Newsletters – Fact sheets – Media Releases – Community service activities – Energy Master Program – Home Energy Assessments and Retrofits -Social Media (Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter)
Residential Energy Assessments Funding for 100 Assessments with Retrofits
Residential Energy Assessments $500 total cost per home $400 covered by E-Conservation $100 covered by Homeowner Distribution of the $500 per home: $150 of cost goes toward home assessment $350 of cost goes toward identified low-cost retrofit – (Materials and labor)
Residential Energy Assessments Objectives: Reduce energy use and lower homeowner utility costs by: Providing each participant with a home energy assessment Conducting low-cost retrofits to participating homes Educating the homeowner about their home energy uses and needs Demonstrating how energy is being used in the participant’s home Providing each participant with home energy education that will: – Increase awareness, interest, and knowledge about home energy conservation strategies – Encourage and enable participants to make behavioral changes that will reduce their energy use.
Strategies: Participants will participate in one or more of the presentations from the E-Conservation Home Energy Management Series led by Cooperative Extension Field Staff. Residential Energy Assessments
Strategies: Participants will receive a home energy assessment from an E-Conservation Energy Assessment Professional. Residential Energy Assessments
Strategies: Participants will engage in conducting basic retrofits, assisted by E-Conservation energy assessment/retrofit professionals. Residential Energy Assessments
Strategies: Participants will share their residential utility usage information with E- Conservation and participate in E-Conservation surveys. Residential Energy Assessments
Strategies: E-Conservation will: Conduct E-Conservation Home Energy Management Series workshops statewide – led by Cooperative Extension Field Staff Conduct an energy assessment of the participant’s home – Performed by Professional Home Energy Assessor / Retrofitter Residential Energy Assessments
Strategies: E-Conservation will: Educate participant and family about their home’s energy conservation needs during the home assessment – Led by Professional Home Energy Assessor / Retrofitter (Field Staff may participate) Provide participants with a written home energy efficiency assessment report – Provided by Professional Home Energy Assessor Residential Energy Assessments
Strategies: E-Conservation will: Install a package of energy conservation measures that will reduce overall energy use and household energy costs. Track utility usage of participating homes to: – Evaluate program impacts on utility usage – Continue to engage and educate homeowners Residential Energy Assessments
We are in the process of developing the guidelines for the residential energy assessments. They will address: Air leakage Insulation Heating and Cooling Duct leakage Lighting Electronics Appliances Windows Homeowner Behaviors Residential Energy Assessments
Examples of Retrofit Items: Water heater temperature check and adjustment Simple air sealing - Caulking and weatherstripping Checking HVAC filters Installation of: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Water Heater Wrap and Insulation for Water Pipes Low-Flow Faucet Aerators Low-Flow Showerheads Residential Energy Conservation Measures (Retrofits)
Energy Master Program Overview of energy efficiency and renewable energy for homeowners who want to expand their knowledge and provide community support through volunteerism Empowers homeowners to make wise energy decisions Educates volunteers for the benefit of their communities
Intended for – Homeowners – Retirees – Recent college graduates – Realtors – Educators – Interested members of the general public Energy Master Program
Course Content Sample: Residential Energy Efficiency and Energy Assessments Provides information on home energy efficiency including how energy is used in North Carolina homes, costs and payback periods for various energy efficiency upgrades, demonstration of a home energy assessment by a home energy professional, and instruction on conducting a basic walk-through home energy assessment.
Goal of Collaboration: Expand and extend our ability to educate and support homeowners in reducing their home energy needs
Assessments and Retrofits (100 homes): Sharing of utility usage for homes receiving program assessments and retrofits (100 homes) Expanding beyond the 100 homes in the E-Conservation budget and/or increase budget per household for retrofits Maximizing retrofits through existing rebates and offers Supply materials such as light bulbs, sealing/insulation materials, etc. Other possibilities? Collaboration Opportunities
Utility Usage Information
Collaboration Opportunities Workshops: Utility Company representative speak/co-present at homeowner workshops to share information such as rebates, online services, and energy conservation opportunities. – provides a venue to engage with a self-identified group of energy conscience homeowners. Provide “freebies” to customers who attend E-Conservation educational workshops. Provide Workshop Presenters with hands-on materials and literature to share with participants. Workshop Promotion to Customers
Collaboration Opportunities Master Energy Program Provide resources Provide subject matter expertise Provide training materials Provide hands-on materials Support with funding Other possibilities?
Questions? Sarah Kirby, Project DirectorLaura Langham, Program Manager