Residential Sector

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The residential sector team strives to balance
program measures that deliver the highest savings potential while providing
a diverse offering of measures to meet the needs of BPA's customer
utilities. The goal is to significantly increase the penetration of
residential energy efficiency measures in the Pacific Northwest. A
multi-faceted delivery method is deployed to build on regional
collaborations and cross-agency residential opportunities. Below are a few
of the residential sector priorities. |
Residential lighting/fixtures/showerheads
In support of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's Sixth Power
Plan, BPA is maximizing savings and penetration of CFLs, lighting fixtures and
showerheads by collaborating with NW utilities on retail and builder channel
coordination, direct mail and direct installation models. BPA manages the
Simple Steps, Smart Savings™
promotion. Simple Steps, Smart Savings™ has been active since April of 2010 and
replaced the former Change-a-Light CFL promotion (2006-2010).
Learn more about this regional residential
program model
Appliances and consumer electronics
ENERGY STAR appliances have been a successful program offer for many BPA utility customers and are expected to continue to perform well.
As baselines rise and savings decrease, BPA is working with utility partners to find ways to reduce costs of program delivery while still maintaining a high ROI for these important efficiency investments.
Increasing plug loads from consumer electronics has emerged as a new priority and opportunity. BPA is working with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) to identify and maximize upstream opportunities in consumer electronics to
leverage manufacturer and retail resources to transform the consumer electronics market. Read more about the
consumer electronics initiative.
Weatherization
While weatherization measures have been a core BPA utility focus for
decades, market research indicates that too many homes still have poor
insulation, single pane windows and major air leakage. Over the next five
years BPA will aggressively target these leaky homes with new program
approaches designed to empower our utilities to work more effectively with
their trade allies and end customers.
Read more about Residential Weatherization program.
Heating and cooling systems
As much as 50% of a homes' energy goes to heating and cooling. Making good
decisions about heating equipment and duct systems can have a big impact -
both in savings and in comfort. There are a number of options available to
improve electric heating efficiency. BPA has invested in residential HVAC
infrastructure, both through the Performance Tested Comfort Systems (PTCS)
protocol and ductless heat pumps. Learn more about residential heating system programs.
Electric water heaters
BPA supports energy efficient electric storage water heaters and new heat
pump water heaters. Heat pump water heaters use up to 50% less energy than
conventional, electric storage water heaters. BPA collaborates with regional
utilities and stakeholders to develop programs for this technology and
conduct additional research as manufacturers develop new models. Learn more
about the heat pump water
heater program.
New technologies
BPA has identified ductless heat pumps, Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting,
heat pump water heaters, and behavior based energy efficiency as high priority
emerging technologies to pursue. BPA is aggressively pursuing and supporting
research on these technologies through current pilot projects. Learn more about
BPA's
emerging technology and
behavior change programs.