Process Evaluation of the Home Performance with Energy Star Program

Abstract

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) promotes a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency. The broad program has created a national network of sponsors and qualified contractors with technical training and certification to conduct whole house audits and to install packages of recommended retrofit measures. The HPwES was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Homes program in 1999 and was initially launched by the New York Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) in 2002. Until October 1, 2011, the Program was jointly administered by EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). On this date, all responsibilities for the HPwES Program were transferred to DOE. This re-organization consolidated residential energy efficiency programs in one federal agency. In light of these departmental changes, the DOE tasked Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) with performing a process evaluation of the HPwES Program for the period prior to the re-organization. The goal of this evaluation is to document the Program’s inception and operation, identify what market challenges it continues to address, and discuss its strengths and areas for improvement. This evaluation relies on insights from key players who have participated in the program. The report concludes with recommendations for improving Program administration and performance.