1. 1 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE VOLUNTEER TRAINING Implemented in Partnership with the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network February 2013

2. 2 Training Agenda Welcome and Agenda Review Overview of the Vermont Home Energy Challenge Building Science 101 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program Message and Pitch Recruiting Volunteers Conducting Home Energy Visits

3. 3 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Overview Implemented by Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network Town-by-town challenge Turnkey programs for local partners Support for local partners from Efficiency Vermont, VECAN, and regional partners

4. 4 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Why Challenge Now? State falling short of residential thermal efficiency goals 80,000 homes by 2020, achieving average savings of 25% Requires 3% of homes annually; currently we are reaching 0.5 - 1% Energy prices continue to rise; e.g., fuel oil has increased 350% since 1999

5. 5 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE The Challenge Part of the Challenge Each town has target of 3% of year- round occupied homes weatherized in 2013  Home Performance with ENERGY STAR  Vermont Gas Systems Each town is also challenged to achieve high outreach levels around efficiency To date, 67 towns signed up

6. 6 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Awards and Recognition All local partners that achieve targets will be recognized Towns in each region that achieve highest % of homes weatherized Towns in each region that achieve highest % participation Awards to be used for public benefit and efficiency

7. 7 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Turnkey Programs Range of programs that local partners can tap into Each local partner develops own unique plan for achieving targets Turnkey programs are:  Home energy visits (also known as VCEM)  Door-to-door outreach  Workshops on saving energy (aka Button Up)

8. 8 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE More about Turnkey Programs Turnkey programs also include: Home energy parties Phone-a-thons Town Meeting Day Partnerships between communities and energy contractors Other support programs: Kits for saving energy PACE

9. 9 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Behavioral Change Tools Commitment Social norming Social diffusion Incentives / awards Effective messaging Reciprocity Feedback Goal-setting Prompts

10. 10 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Support for Local Partners Efficiency Vermont and VECAN will: Provide marketing and educational materials Conduct workshops and trainings Track results and maintain website Support regional coordinators Provide awards and recognition Provide information for case studies

11. 11 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE More about Support for Local Partners Regional partners will: Organize regional workshops and trainings Encourage participation of local partners Support media outreach Provide ongoing outreach and support

12. 12 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Local Partner Roles Sign up! www.efficiencyvermont.com/ homeenergychallenge www.efficiencyvermont.com/ homeenergychallenge Establish local team Develop local plan of action for the year Implement selected projects Check on your status

13. 13 VERMONT HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE Timeline Challenge launched Jan. 1, 2013 Kick-off conference Jan. 12, 2013 Volunteer trainings Early Feb. 2013 Communities conduct initial outreach Feb. – June 2013 Regional workshops held Feb. – Oct. 2013 Communities conduct 2 nd round of outreach July – Dec. 2013 Challenge concludes Dec. 31, 2013 Results and awards announced Feb. 2014

14. 14 Conduction: Heat flows through solids Convection: Heat is carried by moving air or fluid Radiation: Heat flows through space as infrared light waves BUILDING SCIENCE 101 How Buildings Lose Heat

15. 15 BUILDING SCIENCE 101 How Buildings Lose Heat Convection drives heat loss Warm air pushes upward, through holes at the top of house Warm air leaks through the top, creating negative pressure that sucks in cold air through holes at the bottom

16. 16 Air leaking into the attic wastes heat, melts snow, and causes roof ice. Moisture condenses and promotes mold growth. BUILDING SCIENCE 101 Air Leakage Image courtesy of Efficiency Vermont

17. 17 BUILDING SCIENCE 101 Air and Thermal Barriers The Building Envelope Efficient homes—wrapped in a continuous building envelope Air barrier—stops air leaks coming through the attic and basement; the shell Thermal barrier—resists conductive heat loss; the sweater less effective if air flows through it

18. 18 Finding Leaks A blower door test quantifies air leakage and prioritizes air sealing Infrared imaging (thermography)—helps highlight heat loss locations Especially effective if used in combination with blower door BUILDING SCIENCE 101 Air Leakage Images courtesy Patullo Consulting, Inc.

19. 19 BUILDING SCIENCE 101 Air Leakage Air Sealing Priorities  Attic: Stop warm air from leaking out  Basement: Stop cold air from being sucked in  Center of house: Tougher to work on and might be costly

20. 20 Attic Hatch Weather strip creates an effective seal and an insulated hatch; very cost-effective BUILDING SCIENCE 101 The Attic Images courtesy of EnergySmart of Vermont

21. 21 Electrical and plumbing penetrations Interior wall partitions Chimney by-pass Recessed lighting Bathroom exhaust fans Exterior walls, especially in balloon frame homes The Attic Images courtesy of Efficiency Vermont

22. 22 Bulkhead Door Air sealing and insulating the bulkhead door is highly cost- effective BUILDING SCIENCE 101 The Basement Image courtesy of EnergySmart of Vermont

23. 23 Box Sill and Foundation Insulate and seal out the cold air coming in Junction of sill and foundation Foundation windows, plumbing, and wiring penetrations, and miles of small cracks of the foundation Look for caulk or spray foam around rigid foam The Basement Images courtesy of EnergySmart of Vermont TreatedUntreated

24. 24 Fireplace Fireplaces lose more heat than they generate (in cold weather); they suck in cold, outside air for combustion Fireplace closed off with tight seal? Fireplace insert with sealed doors installed? Windows Replacing windows: One of the least cost-effective energy saving strategies Sealing most windows costs far less than new windows BUILDING SCIENCE 101 The Middle of the House

25. 25 BUILDING SCIENCE 101 Thermal Barriers - Conduction and R-Values Conduction: Movement of heat through a solid object R-values: Measure material’s resistance to conductive heat transfer Materials with lower resistance to heat transfer have low R-values; e.g., glass, steel, concrete, wood, and wallboard Materials with higher resistance to heat transfer have higher R-values; commonly called insulation

26. 26 Thermal Barriers Insulation If the home has been air sealed, has the conductive heat loss been addressed by adding insulation? Thermal barrier should always be in contact with air barrier Loose-fill celluloseDense-packed cellulose Photo courtesy of Efficiency Vermont

27. 27 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR A network of certified contractors who take a whole-house, comprehensive approach to help customers solve health and safety issues, increase comfort and indoor air quality, and lower energy bills through high-quality installations A national program that is managed in Vermont by Efficiency Vermont

28. 28 HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR Home Energy Audit Involves: Detailed inspection of the building envelope Blower door test Combustion efficiency test, and others, as needed Written assessment of priority list of improvements Energy audits typically cost $300 - $500

29. 29 HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR Comprehensive Retrofit Typically involves: Air sealing and insulation Heating system improvements and tune-ups Moisture control and ventilation Health and safety improvements

30. 30 HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR Incentives Efficiency Vermont offers up to $2,000 in customer incentives, depending on the work that is completed Efficiency Vermont is offering $100 discounts on all energy audits for 2013 Efficiency Vermont also supports do-it-yourselfers who go through an HPwES contractor

31. 31 HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR Incentives Vermont Gas provides free energy audits and covers 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of retrofits for qualifying homes Contact Efficiency Vermont, Weatherization Assistance Program, Vermont Gas Systems, or NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad for energy audit and retrofit info

32. 32 HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad Works with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Offers $100 energy audits in selected regions Energy Advisors Flexible financing Project Management Available in Addison, Bennington, and Rutland, counties

33. 33 MESSAGE AND PITCH Giving Your Pitch Vermont Home Energy Challenge emphasizes personal interaction with neighbors and friends Door-to-door campaigns Phone-a-thons Vermont Town Meeting Day Friends and neighbors have menu of options for improving efficiency Meeting people where they are at

34. 34 MESSAGE AND PITCH Key Messages Why Energy Efficiency? Save money by lowering energy bills Make your home more comfortable Reduce the environmental impact Solve problems like ice dams and mold Help your town win community prizes

35. 35 MESSAGE AND PITCH Giving Your Pitch Give your name and explain whom you are with Explain why you are calling / visiting Explain why efficiency makes sense Completed comprehensive efficiency work? Interested in an energy audit? Interested in a home energy visit? Interested in energy-saving kit? Sign a pledge card?

36. 36 BREAK

37. 37 RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS* How to Recruit Utilize pledge forms to identify volunteers and gather information Have a core volunteer in charge of volunteer management who: Create tangible volunteer events that have a clear time commitment Keep volunteers posted on progress Thank people early and often *Thanks to Liz Edsell from VPIRG – liz@vpirg.org

38. 38 RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS Outreach Methods Events Posters/flyers Media Speaker talking to a group Tabling Leafleting Friend to friend Advertising Phone banking Email messages/alerts Social media Mail House party Door knocking

39. 39 RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS Characteristics of an Ideal Group 1.Clear goals established 2.A concise, compelling and consistent message 3.Ongoing recruitment 4.Depth and breadth of activities ongoing 5.Clear decision-making process and structure 6.Skills trainings incorporated into activities 7.Have fun and celebrate often 8.Allows people to get involved at different levels

40. 40 RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS Group/Volunteer Roles Core: A group to plan, coordinate, lead and make decisions Volunteers: A larger pool of people who will volunteer and do things Supporters: People to come to public events Public: A majority of general public that understands the benefits

41. 41 Home Energy Visits Trained volunteers conduct home visits to help residents identify opportunities for saving save energy in their homes and to provide information on how to move ahead

42. 42 HOME ENERGY VISIT Key Components Walk-through energy assessment Kitchen table talk with residents Identify candidates for comprehensive energy retrofits

43. 43 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Energy Costs by End-Use Heating costs comprise the single largest home energy cost in Vermont More than 1/4 of energy used in homes is for lighting and appliances.

44. 44 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Space Heating – #1 Energy User Space heating accounts for 41% of household energy use Energy is lost through inadequate air and thermal barriers

45. 45 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Space Heating — Role of Volunteers Identify opportunities for: Thermal energy savings Examine basement and attic, where feasible Inform about: Basic energy-saving opportunities Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program (or Vermont Gas/NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad, where applicable), contractors, incentives, and services

46. 46 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Appliances, Lighting, and Consumer Electronics – #2 Energy User Appliances and lighting account for 26% of household energy use Large electrical devices are clothes dryers, older refrigerators, air conditioning units, dehumidifiers, home entertainment centers, computers, non-fluorescent light bulbs

47. 47 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Appliances / Lights / Electronics – Role of Volunteers Identify opportunities for: CFLs and LEDs Replacing inefficient appliances Home entertainment and computer stations Inform about: Incentives for efficient lighting and appliances Advanced power strips Monitoring appliance use through a kilowatt meter

48. 48 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Domestic Hot Water - #3 Energy User Hot water accounts for 20% of household energy use Many different types – electric, oil, natural gas, solar, instantaneous Gas Electric

49. 49 HOME ENERGY VISIT - INTRO Domestic Hot Water – Role of Volunteers Identify opportunities for: Low-flow showerheads and faucets Inform about: Inform about solar hot water option Hot water pipe wrap

50. 50 HOME ENERGY VISIT Walk-Through Assessment Identify heat loss indicators that point toward energy- savings opportunities Conduct walk-through with homeowner Do only the activities you are comfortable with Remind homeowner that a home energy visit is not an energy audit!

51. 51 HOME ENERGY VISIT – WALK-THROUGH ASSESSMENT Attic Note amount and type of insulation Less than 8 inches might be an opportunity If it’s easy to get into, take a look If not, don’t stress about it Homeowner might know Is the attic hatch or pull-down stairs weather-stripped and insulated? Please do not walk around in the attic!

52. 52 HOME ENERGY VISIT Basement Are there visible gaps and cracks in the outside walls? Have band joists been sealed and insulated? Is there a leaky bulkhead door? Stone walls tend to leak a lot of air Uncovered dirt floor and moisture problems are indicators

53. 53 HOME ENERGY VISIT Middle of the House Walls Post-1950 construction probably has insulation Older houses might be good candidates for wall insulation Look for “plugs” on outside of house Ask homeowners if they know if insulation has been added

54. 54 HOME ENERGY VISIT Middle of the House Fireplaces Fire place closed off with tight seal? Fireplace insert with sealed doors installed? Windows and Doors Have windows and doors been weather-stripped?

55. 55 HOME ENERGY VISIT Other Efficiency Opportunities Are there incandescent light bulbs? Is there a home entertainment center or computer system that does not have an advanced power strip? Is there an old, inefficient appliance, such as a refrigerator? Is there a second, “beer” refrigerator? Does the showerhead use more than 2 gallons of water per minute?

56. 56 HOME ENERGY VISIT Kitchen Table Discussion Review “How Energy Efficient Is Your Home” worksheet Ask questions about comfort levels and efficiency levels Share basic information on how homes lose heat Review findings of walk-through assessment Explain difference between audit and home energy visit Review tips for simple energy saving

57. 57 HOME ENERGY VISIT Energy Tip: Thermostats For every 5 ⁰ a thermostat is lowered, it is estimated that 5% or more is saved on your energy bill over the heating season A programmable thermostat makes setting back the temperature more convenient and comfortable

58. 58 HOME ENERGY VISIT Energy Tip: Phantom Power Many modern products consume energy after being turned off from 5% to 8% of your electricity bill Major culprits: Home entertainment systems and computer systems Plug systems into “advanced powerstrips” that automatically shut down electronics when not in use Other phantom power: Products with transformers (little boxes that plug into an outlet)‏ such as phone chargers; unplug when not in use

59. 59 HOME ENERGY VISIT Energy Tip: Keep Furnaces and Boilers Tuned Maintain furnaces and boilers Seal ducts outside heated space Keep air registers clear Consider investing in a more efficient heating system Images courtesy Efficiency Vermont

60. 60 Home Energy Visit Resource Folder Walk participant through educational materials Energy Efficiency Knowledge Guide Energy-Saving Tips Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program Electrical use brochure Worksheet on “How Efficient Is Your Home?” Contractor list for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Financing options

61. 61 HOME ENERGY VISIT Expectations of Volunteers Training critical for volunteers Volunteers asked to commit to 6-8 hours (approximately 3 to 5 home energy visits) Complete and return home energy visit forms; this is critical to helping Efficiency Vermont track results Sign Confidentiality Agreement Form

62. 62 Contact Information Thanks for assisting others to learn more about energy-savings opportunities! For more information Paul Markowitz, Efficiency Vermont pmarkowitz@veic.orgpmarkowitz@veic.org; 802 540 7608 Regional Contact: see contact information sheet