TAP Blog | Community Engagement Webinars: Part 1

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Community Engagement Webinars: Part 1—Local Social Marketing

May 12, 2011 05:09 | comment

Results from Maryland’s Existing Homes Program

Convincing busy homeowners to participate in energy efficiency programs has always been a challenge. However, there are new approaches that successfully engage participation by leveraging homeowners’ existing relationships with their communities, faith-based groups, and other organizations. In the first of a series of Webinars on community engagement, we will explore the outcomes some mid-Atlantic states experienced following these sorts of cooperative efforts.

In 2010, Green Market Solutions (GMS) and GreenFaith worked together to recruit more than 3,700 moderate-income households to their Public Service Energy Group (PSEG) Whole House Efficiency Program. The program’s goal was to perform home energy assessments and install efficiency measures that would improve the energy efficiency and comfort of participating homes. GMS and GreenFaith designed and implemented a community-based social marketing program that targeted 10 New Jersey communities in the PSEG utility service territory. The partnership worked with community and faith-based networks to identify and enlist eligible customers.

Using community-based social marketing strategies, GMS and GreenFaith recruited customers through community and nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and neighborhood canvassing teams, as well as at community events. Currently, GMS is implementing its Audit & Retrofit Services for the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, in partnership with Potomac Electric Power and Delmarva Power utilities.

Relying on the initial results from its PSEG efforts in New Jersey, GMS will share preliminary program performance data in the Webinar, including the:

number of customers recruited
number of assessments performed
projected energy savings (kWh and therms)
projected dollar savings, and
actual energy savings captured

The webinar on the GMS and GreenFaith initiatives is scheduled for May 17, 2011 at 2:00 EDT. Complete the Webinar Registration form to attend this free online event.

Are similar relationships being built in your community? Please share your comments with the other readers of this Blog.

Content for this Blog post courtesy of Nick Lange, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

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It's true that you don't hear about available energy audits available for homeowners. It seems like you only find out about them if you are actively searching for them.
Joe-HVAC Promotions | July 28. 2011 17:45

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