RESOURCE LIBRARY
APPRISE Projects
Energy Survey Research and Policy Analysis
Ameren Missouri has a Neighborhood Solar Program that installs solar at community-oriented sites such as schools, nonprofits, and municipalities. This program includes a workforce development component where Ameren Missouri works with site partners and vendors to provide job training and opportunities to individuals in the local community, with a focus on economically disadvantaged clients or students starting in the solar industry. APPRISE conducted a study to help Ameren Missouri understand how other programs have developed and implemented these workforce development initiatives and how Ameren can optimize their program design.
California’s large electric utilities conducted a study to understand residential customers’ electricity usage for essential needs, including electricity used to maintain basic health and safety. APPRISE designed and conducted in-depth interviews with low- to moderate-income households to learn how affordability challenges impact electricity usage and household wellbeing. Following those interviews, APPRISE conducted a telephone survey with over 1,000 households to quantify essential electricity needs and uses, including household medical needs and medical device usage.
The California Residential Appliance Saturation Study (RASS), conducted by the California Energy Commission, is used to collect information on California’s residential energy consumption. The findings from this research will be used to support the Energy Commission’s residential energy demand forecast. This 2020 study was implemented as both a web and mail survey, known as the California Home Energy Survey, and asked residents about their appliances, equipment, and general energy consumption. APPRISE worked with DNV GL Energy Insights USA, Inc. to develop materials to encourage resident participation in the survey. In addition, APPRISE was responsible for overseeing a non-response follow-up effort that used incentives, mailings, phone calls, and personal visits to obtain additional responses from households that did not respond to the initial survey requests.
The Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program provides funding to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities through services that address employment, income management, education, housing, nutrition, and health. APPRISE is working with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Community Assistance to develop a Performance Management Website and Data Warehouse that facilitates the analysis of performance measurement data reported by grantees of the CSBG Program. APPRISE is also providing training and technical assistance to the Division of Community Assistance, grantees, and other partners of the CSBG Program in the use of these performance management resources.
- Levels and Types of Energy Insecurity – Estimation of the rate at which low-income households face various types of energy problems and examination of survey respondent reports on the extent to which energy assistance restores home heating and cooling for households experiencing service interruptions.
- Factors Related to Energy Insecurity – An analysis of the factors associated with energy problems including poverty level, energy burden, geographic region and other demographic and housing factors.
- Performance of the Home Energy Insecurity Scale – An assessment of the performance of the Home Energy Insecurity Scale in measuring the impacts of energy costs on low-income households compared to other Energy Insecurity measures used in the past.
APPRISE is conducting a study for the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to document the characteristics of households eligible for energy and water assistance programs in the District and to estimate the impacts of program benefits on households’ energy and water burdens. This study will use Census data, program participation data, and utility billing data to make recommendations for the District’s program design.
APPRISE reviewed DOEE’s LIHEAP design and made recommendations for program modifications in 2018. This study assessed DOEE’s LIHEAP procedures, analyzed the population of households eligible for energy assistance, and calculated the impacts of the assistance on participants’ energy burden. The study furnished DOEE with information needed to modify its program benefits design matrix in a way that meets the statutory guidance furnished to DOEE by the federal LIHEAP program.
As a result of the 2018 study, DOEE modified its LIHEAP program benefits design matrix. In 2020, APPRISE worked with DOEE to calculate the impact of those changes on participants’ energy burden, update analyses of households eligible for energy assistance, and assess how best to integrate DOEE’s Solar for All program with the LIHEAP program.
APPRISE conducted research for the District of Columbia’s Office of the People’s Counsel to assess energy affordability for residential consumers. The analysis explored the energy affordability needs of different types of residential consumers, examined how utility initiatives impacted their energy burden, and characterized the design and implementation of energy affordability programs implemented in other states. Based on the research conducted APPRISE made recommendations on how to improve energy affordability programs offered to residential consumers in the District.
The purpose of this study was to assist DDOE’s efforts to mitigate the rising energy costs on those with the highest home energy needs, greatest energy burdens, and least amount of available resources. The study focused on households that pay utility gas and/or electric bills, and are income-eligible and program-eligible for rate discounts. The study characterized the population of households that are eligible for rate discounts, estimated the rate discount program penetration rates, and analyzed how the rate discounts complement the LIHEAP program to reduce energy burdens for participating households.
APPRISE provides in-depth program support services to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded program to help eligible low-income households meet their home heating and cooling needs. As part of this project, APPRISE works with the Division of Energy Assistance (DEA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Community Services (OCS), to provide training and technical assistance to LIHEAP grant recipients focused on federal reporting and performance management. APPRISE is also responsible for developing annual LIHEAP Reports, the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline that assist households to find LIHEAP assistance, and maintaining and enhancing two federal websites for LIHEAP: the LIHEAP Performance Management Website (PMW) and LIHEAP Clearinghouse Website.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct research and provide recommendations on how they could improve the application and eligibility determination process for their Energy Assistance Program (EAP). APPRISE undertook an analysis of IHCDA’s current policy, identified EAP pain points and barriers, conducted research on other states’ LIHEAP administration, and developed policy and procedures recommendations for IHCDA. The proposed changes include shorter- and longer-term revisions to policy that will reduce client burden, improve program integrity, and result in larger reductions in participant energy burden.
Furthermore, Congressional Committees indicated in 1994 that LIHEAP grantees needed to reassess their LIHEAP benefit structures to ensure that they are targeting those low income households that have the highest energy costs or needs. The purpose of this evaluation study was to assess to what extent the LIHEAP program is serving the lowest income households that have the highest energy burdens. The study uses data from the 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to examine the distribution of income and energy burden for low income households and identify those that have the lowest incomes and highest energy burdens (i.e., high burden households). The study uses the 2001 RECS LIHEAP Supplement to measure the effectiveness of the FY 2001 LIHEAP program in serving high burden households. The study quantifies program effectiveness using targeting performance measures. The study also identifies procedures for updating energy burden targeting performance statistics in the future.
APPRISE is contracted to furnish technical support to the Division of Energy Assistance in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services. As part of this support, APPRISE is assisting in the development of performance measurement procedures. APPRISE also developed annual State-level targeting performance data that assess the extent to which States targeted energy assistance to low-income and vulnerable households.
APPRISE was contracted by the Division of Energy Assistance in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services, to develop a web-based Data Warehouse for LIHEAP. APPRISE worked with ACF staff, state LIHEAP grantees, and stakeholders to design, test, and build a Data Warehouse tool to organize data, create reports, and facilitate analysis for performance management and improvement.
APPRISE developed a database for the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel to generate customized statistics on characteristics of the low-income population in Maryland. The database allows users to analyze income, demographic, energy, and housing characteristics of the low-income population at the state, region, and county levels using data from the American Community Survey. The database will be used to evaluate energy programs and analyze rate cases that impact low-income customers.
APPRISE conducted research for the Office of People’s Counsel to assess the characteristics of the low-income population in Maryland, estimate the need for energy assistance and energy efficiency programs, and provide recommendations for future program design and targeting. The study analyzed publicly available survey data and MD program-level data to understand trends in the population and the programs that serve them. The research increased understanding of the population and informed policy discussions on Maryland low-income energy programs.
APPRISE conducted research to assess participation and improve outreach for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Fuel Assistance program. The study combined publicly available survey data and Massachusetts LIHEAP data with program literature and agency interviews to understand opportunities and barriers to increasing program participation. The research furnished DHCD with data and analysis needed to develop outreach strategies that target underserved segments of the eligible population and increase enrollment.
APPRISE conducted a comprehensive review of the Massachusetts LIHEAP program’s benefit determination procedures. The study included evaluations of program goals and procedures, assessments of energy burden outcomes among LIHEAP recipients using energy bill data collected for the LIHEAP Performance Measures, and engagement with the program’s stakeholders to determine the next steps in developing updated benefit determination procedures to improve client outcomes.
The Minnesota Conservation Improvement Programs (CIP) portfolios include low-income components to assist income-eligible households with energy conservation. APPRISE conducted research through the Conservation Applied Research & Development (CARD) Grant Program to provide a comprehensive review of the low-income efficiency programs, evaluate the program processes, and assess program policies and guidelines. The goal of the research was to facilitate more effective program operations and policymaking.
The Community Service Block Grant Program provides funding to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities through services that address employment, income management, education, housing, nutrition, and health. APPRISE supported the National Association of State Community Service Programs in the development of a Data Warehouse for the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. We developed tools for reporting, validation, and analysis of performance measure data at the local, state, territory, and national level. Additionally, APPRISE supported state efforts to collect and report new performance metrics established by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services. This project has led to improved data quality, an enhanced understanding of CSBG outcomes, and will be used to inform program decision-making.
APPRISE assessed the fiscal integrity and operational efficiency of the NJ LIHEAP and USF Programs. This research included an assessment of the performance of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Housing and Community Resources (DHCR), Office of Home Energy Assistance (OHEA) and an assessment of the operations of the LIHEAP and USF programs. We reviewed program documents, and conducted interviews with HHS LIHEAP compliance staff, DCA management, USF managers at the NJ Board of Public Utilities, and managers at Community Based Organizations that administer the programs. We also reviewed program databases and statistics, conducted on-site interviews and observations with a sample of local agencies, and conducted a survey with LIHEAP recipients.
APPRISE conducted research for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to assess participation and outreach for the New Jersey LIHEAP and Universal Service Fund (USF) programs. The study used publicly available survey data and state program data to assess the characteristics of the income-eligible and LIHEAP-recipient populations. The study also estimated participation rates among different segments of the low-income population. Local agency interviews and a review of state and local outreach methods provided information on opportunities and barriers to increasing program participation. The research furnished DCA with data and analysis needed to develop outreach strategies and policies to increase LIHEAP participation.
APPRISE conducted research to assess how NYSERDA can effectively coordinate income-qualified energy efficiency programs with local energy and housing funding sources to improve outcomes for low- to moderate-income New Yorkers. APPRISE assessed what funding sources are available for potential coordination through literature review and in-depth interviews with local program managers in six localities in New York. The research provided NYSERDA with recommendations for prioritizing coordination with local funding sources, designing options for service coordination, and planning pilot coordination activities.
APPRISE is conducting a study for NYSERDA to document demographic and energy-related characteristics of the low-income population in New York State, estimate the impact of existing programs that target low-income households, and provide recommendations for improving New York’s Energy Affordability Policy (EAP). This study will use Census data to examine the demographic characteristics, income distribution, energy burden, and geographic distribution of low-income households in New York. It will also leverage program data to assess the impact of energy assistance and other program initiatives. This study will help inform NYSERDA and the New York State Public Service Commission to assess programmatic and policy changes to the EAP.
APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments.
NYSERDA is engaged in the development of the New Efficiency initiatives to help New York State accelerate energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease consumer energy costs, and create job opportunities. NYSERDA is responsible for ensuring that low- and moderate-income (LMI) households benefit directly from these new initiatives through targeted programs. APPRISE was responsible for furnishing research and analytic support to identify program design considerations, document portfolio costs and impacts, and present options for the engagement of NYSERDA, the utilities, and the publicly funded programs. As part of this research, APPRISE developed detailed documentation of the LMI energy efficiency programs implemented in ten comparable states and identified program models that may help to expand NYSERDA’s current LMI offerings.
NYSERDA is conducting a comprehensive study of the residential multifamily housing sector in New York State, including apartment buildings, condominiums, and other buildings that include more than four dwelling units. The purpose of this study is to document the diverse physical and energy-related characteristics of New York’s multifamily buildings, to assess current market practices in implementing energy efficiency and electrification technology, and to identify opportunities for NYSERDA to target programs to multifamily building owners and residents. This study will collect data on a large sample of multifamily buildings using surveys and on-site building inspections. APPRISE was contracted by NYSERDA to conduct outreach and recruitment for the downstate New York region, include New York City and Long Island. APPRISE was responsible for developing and implementing specialized procedures to verify building information and to identify and recruit building representatives to participate in the study.
APPRISE and MaGrann conducted a study of residential thermostat settings and temperature preferences based upon a survey of 239 households in the Northeast about thermostat settings, setbacks, and type of thermostat in the home. The study documented thermostat setpoints and setbacks; the penetration of programmable thermostats and smart thermostats; and use of smart thermostat features.
Based on the research, the study recommended that the greatest setback opportunities for non-elderly households were nighttime in the winter and daytime in the summer. Different protocols are needed for elderly households.
- For households without an elderly member, consider a default winter setting of 69 during the day with a setback of three degrees to 66 at night; and 70 degrees at night in the summer with a setup of 2 degrees to 72 during the day.
- For households with an elderly member, consider a default winter setting of 70 degrees in the winter and 73 degrees in the summer, but without any predetermined setbacks.
We recommend always providing the opportunity for a resident interview in combination with the installation of a new thermostat so that default settings can be modified accordingly. Similarly, providing the opportunity for “live” training empowers residents to modify default settings with an understanding of the energy and comfort implications.
Smart thermostats represent a good opportunity for energy savings based on a number of factors evident from this survey.
- Low existing penetration rate.
- Many households still do not practice thermostat setbacks.
- Of the households practicing setbacks, most are doing so manually.