New Evidence on Energy Education Effectiveness Jackie Berger 2008 ACI Home Performance Conference April 8, 2008

Presentation Outline Description of Program and Evaluation Study Motivation Study Results Conclusion Future research 3

PECO LIURP – Program and Evaluation 4

Program Description PECO LIURP – Low Income Usage Reduction Program Run by utilities in PA PUC requires annual evaluation Education and energy efficiency measures Baseload and heating jobs 5

2005 LIURP Impacts #Pre-UsePost-UseSavings% Savings Electric Baseload (kWh) 4,55111,18810,0731, % Electric Heat (kWh) 19721,95620,3261, % Gas Heat (ccf) 1,1641,2061, % 6

CFL Impacts Savings (kWh) Cost/ Home $/Unit Saved Measure Life $/Unit Saved Over Lifetime 953 (±173) $68$ $0.02 $274$0.29$0.07 7

Study Methodology 8

Survey Research Methodology Stratification for sample selection –Job type Electric baseload – only CFLs Gas heating – only CFLs on electric side –Electric supplemental heat Used at the time of service delivery Not used at the time of service delivery 9

Survey Research Methodology Stratification for sample selection –Energy Savings Removed top and bottom 5% in each of 4 groups Divided each group into top, middle, and bottom savers 10

Survey Research Methodology Customer Type Electric Supplemental Heat Electric Savings Number Selected Electric Baseload Yes Top Third65 Middle Third65 Bottom Third65 No Top Third65 Middle Third65 Bottom Third65 Gas Heat Yes Top Third61 Middle Third62 Bottom Third61 No Top Third65 Middle Third65 Bottom Third65 TOTAL SAMPLE769 11

Survey Research Methodology Customer Type Electric Supplemental Heat Electric Savings Completes Electric Baseload Yes Top Third 1828% Middle Third 2234% Bottom Third 1828% No Top Third 2031% Middle Third 1828% Bottom Third 1523% Gas Heat Yes Top Third 1830% Middle Third 2337% Bottom Third 2033% No Top Third 2031% Middle Third 2437% Bottom Third 1828% TOTAL SAMPLE 23430% 12

Savings by Job Type and Household Characteristics 13

Electric Savings by Job Type and HH Characteristics Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Electric Savings Group (kWh Change) LargeMediumLowSmallIncrease <=- 1, , >250 All Customers %25%10%12%22% Baseload1111,13138%24%10% 18% Gas Heat %26%11%13%26% Elec Supp. Heat1181,07838%23%11%8%20% No Elec Supp. Heat %28%10%16%24% 14

Electric Savings by Job Type and HH Characteristics Baseload/ Gas Heat Elec Supp. Heat Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Electric Savings Group (kWh Change) LargeMediumLowSmallIncrease <=- 1, , >250 Baseloadyes581,27540%26%12%5%17% Baseloadno %23%8%15%19% Gas Heatyes %20%10% 23% Gas Heatno %32%11%16%29% 15

Electric Savings by Job Type and HH Characteristics Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Electric Savings Group (kWh Change) LargeMediumLowSmallIncrease <=- 1, , >250 Air Conditioning Central %24%11%7%22% Window/Wall %25%11%14%24% None % 6%12% 16

Electric Savings by Job Type and HH Characteristics Baseload/ Gas Heat AC TypeObs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Electric Savings Group (kWh Change) LargeMediumLowSmallIncrease <=- 1, , >250 BaseloadCentral %20%10%5%20% Baseload Window/ Wall %25%11%13%18% BaseloadNone %44%0%11% Gas HeatCentral %29%11%9%26% Gas Heat Window/ Wall %25%10%15%28% Gas HeatNone891638%25%13% 17

Savings by Reports on Education Provided and Actions Taken 18

Electric Savings by Energy Education Reported Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) All Customers Review bills? yes no91826 Recommend actions to save energy? yes no Estimate $ savings from each action recommended? yes no91780 Estimate total $ savings from all actions? yes no

Electric Savings by Number of Letters Read How many of the LIURP monthly energy saving letters have you read? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) All Most35900 Some44627 One/None17552 Don’t Remember Letters

Electric Savings By Reported Actions What energy-saving actions have you been able to take since the provider came to your home? (Action mentioned with greatest expected savings) Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Avoid space heaters72253 Disconnect unused refrigerators/freezers81395 Reduce use of electric dryer41250 Use CFLs Accept LIURP services Turn off unused lighting Turn off unused television/computer17777 Other/don’t know15518 Alter thermostat settings15369 Weatherization measures37365 New appliances4203 None13 21

Electric Savings by Reduced Appliance Use Reduced use of _____ as a result of participating in the program? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) All Customers Electric space heater** yes no Air conditioner yes no97723 Electric dryer yes71995 no Dishwasher yes64641 no

Electric Savings by Reduced Appliance Use Reduced use of _____ as a result of participating in the program? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) All Customers Dehumidifier yes no Number of lights left on all night* yes no Lights yes no

Electric Savings by Number of Hours CFLs Used Average number of hours CFLs are used Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Don’t Know

Savings by Program Ratings and Reported Savings 25

Electric Savings by Most Important Program Benefit What do you feel is the most important benefit of the program? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Lower Energy Bills Energy Education69796 Safer/More Comfortable Home17769 Specific Services23671 Lower Energy Use24523 New Appliances6433 Compliant31318 Don’t Know

Electric Savings by Energy Education Rating How helpful was LIURP in teaching about energy use and ways to save energy? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful69645 Of Little Help Don’t Know

Electric Savings by Report of Energy Savings Has your household reduced its overall energy usage as a result of the program? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Yes No/Don’t Know44667 Is your PECO bill higher, lower, or unchanged since receipt of energy services? Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Lower Unchanged56706 Higher29660 Don’t Know

Electric Savings by Program Satisfaction AllBaseloadGas Heat Energy Education Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Obs. Mean Electric Savings (kWh) Very Satisfied Somewhat Sat Dissatisfied Don’t Know LIURP Very Satisfied Somewhat Sat Dissatisfied Don’t Know

Multivariate Analysis 30

Multivariate Analysis Variable Education Reports Behavior Changes Education Satisfaction All Factors Baseload Job-524*-508*-493*-542* Electric Space Heat-424*-451* Provider Reviewed Bills Provider Recommended Actions to Save Energy Provider Estimated Savings from Each Action Provider Estimated Savings from Actions Overall Respondent Read All Letters Respondent Read Most Letters Reduced Electric Space Heater Use-502*-472* Reduced AC Use Reduced Electric Dryer Use Reduced Number of Lights Left on All Night Reduced Use of Dehumidifier Uses CFLs 7 or More Hours Per Day on Average LIURP Very Helpful Teach How Reduce Use Reduced Use as a Result of LIURP Very Satisfied with Energy Education

Summary and Conclusion 32

Summary Expected relationships found –Energy education provided –Attention to follow-up materials –Behavior changes –Hours of CFL usage –Energy education ratings –Usage and bill savings 33

Conclusion New evidence for –Impact of energy education on energy usage –Accuracy of customer reports Energy education quality Changes in energy use behavior Need larger sample size!! 34

Contact Jackie Berger Director of Program Evaluation APPRISE 32 Nassau Street, Suite 200 Princeton, NJ