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

• CFL Quick Reference Guide April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013
• CFL Quick Reference Guide October 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012
• Showerhead Quick Reference Guide October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2013

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.