The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit research organization that develops policies to reduce energy waste and combat climate change, hosted a webinar on April 1, 2024, to discuss the results of a nationwide study about packaging and marketing home energy upgrades.

Making a home energy efficient can have a positive impact on climate change. In addition to adding sustainability by using clean energy and reducing the building’s carbon footprint, it’s a good way to cut energy costs and increase a home’s value. Thus, it’s important to identify and analyze ways in which energy efficiency could be improved, along with programs that could save money while working toward a clean energy future.

According to Larry Zarker, CEO of the Building Performance Institute, one-third of the 93 million homes in America are 50 years old or older, and another third are at least 25 years old—meaning they were built before modern energy codes.

ACEEE discovered that high utility bills are a driver for energy-efficiency upgrades, but there can be nonenergy benefits as well—namely health, safety, comfort and durability.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends starting with an energy evaluation of homes and commercial buildings. This audit should include inspection of key areas where energy loss or waste typically occurs.

Common energy-efficient upgrades can address any or all of the following: 

• Weatherization, including insulation, air sealing and ventilation
• Repair or replacement of heating, cooling and water heating units
• Installation of efficient lighting and appliances
• Installation of rooftop solar panels
• Other upgrades, including electrical panel upgrades and wiring to support efficient electrification
  

Itemized investments can add up, so many companies offer energy-efficiency upgrade packages. The ACEEE webinar focused on what packages were the most attractive to homeowners, based on the results of a nationwide survey of this demographic.

Because home energy upgrades are often pricey, targeting the right audience with the right message can convince some homeowners. Upgrade packages with simple financing are also enticing.

Grace Lewallen, research analyst for ACEEE’s Behavior, Health and Human Dimensions Program, explained that 35% of survey respondents cited cost as a prohibitive factor in energy-efficiency upgrades. But the 65% willing to consider upgrade packages found packages that include water heaters, HVAC and appliances the most alluring. The least-attractive packages included electric vehicle chargers, solar panels and Energy Star windows.

Ironically, Lewallen noted, when considering individual upgrades, homeowners ranked windows, solar and HVAC highly. “There was a difference in interest in packages versus a la carte upgrades,” she said.

This information is expected to aid state energy offices in implementing energy-efficiency programs, as well as help contractors create attractive energy-efficiency packages for homeowners.