Leaders of the Pack 2024: Low-Income

This award category recognizes residential energy efficiency programs that specifically serve low-income households. The winning programs are commendable for addressing health-and-safety measures, offering generous financial incentives, and serving many low-income households.

Leader of the Pack: Illinois Home Energy Solutions (HES), jointly administered by Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Nicor Gas, ComEd, and Resource Innovations; Illinois

A joint initiative between ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas, the HES program offers energy upgrades for single-family homes in northern Illinois. Participants can receive both direct-install measures and deep retrofits, with special services available for income-eligible customers, who begin by pairing with an energy advisor that provides a home energy assessment and offers free energy-saving products. These customers can then receive referrals for utility-funded retrofits or for Illinois's Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP). Utility-funded retrofits involve weatherization, HVAC upgrades, and health and safety measures at no cost to the customer. 

Joint operation by both electric and gas utilities is a key feature of the HES program. This coordination has allowed program administrators to streamline the customer experience. Previously, customers would need to navigate multiple channels to receive appropriate services. Income-eligible customers have benefited from the programs seamless transition between home assessments and deeper retrofits. The HES program aims to serve 8,500 income-eligible customers in 2024. For its cross-utility partnerships, health and safety funding, and one-stop model, the Illinois HES program is a Leader of the Pack.

Key accomplishments and program features

• In 2023, the program produced 10.6 GWh of electricity savings, 1.5 million therms of gas savings, and 33.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reductions.
• In 2023, the program served 6,500 income eligible customers with free energy-saving products and education, close to 2,500 with comprehensive retrofits, and nearly 400 customers in partnership with IHWAP.
• The program spent nearly a quarter (23%) of its incentive budget to address health and safety concerns prior to deep retrofits.

Outreach event hosted by a community-based organization

Exemplary Program: Built to Last, Philadelphia Energy Authority; Pennsylvania

Built to Last integrates Philadelphia's existing home repair, energy conservation, and healthy homes programs into a single coordinated package. The program's goal is to make homes in Philadelphia healthier, safer, and more affordable. 

Key accomplishments and program features

• The program has completed construction on 185 homes since 2021 and is currently working to deliver services to another 250 homes. The program is so popular that it now has a significant wait list. 
• The one-stop-shop model allows participants to receive health and safety upgrades, weatherization, and electrification from the same program. 
• The program braids funds from the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation Grant, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency grants, Pennsylvania Whole Home Repairs Act funds, and foundation funds.

Kitchen before and after program enrollment

Exemplary Program: Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) - Income Eligible Coordinated Delivery, Mass Save; Massachusetts

The Income Eligible Coordinated Delivery program offers fuel-neutral, comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades for income-eligible households across Massachusetts. Weatherization, heating and cooling upgrades, and appliance upgrades are the most common measures offered. 

Key accomplishments and program features 

• In 2023, the program served 20,144 electric participants with savings of 30,913,000 kWh; and 11,714 gas participants with savings of 3,110,050 Therms.
• Between 2013-2022, the program weatherized 23% of all 1–4-unit income-eligible households.
• All residents in 1-4 residential units will receive all heating and weatherization measures at no cost, so long as there are 50% or more income-eligible units in the building.
• Program administrators collaborate with trained vendors and Community Action Partners who provide true whole-building services like energy audits, oversight and management, technical assistance, and quality control.
• Since 2022, the program has expanded to serve multifamily buildings that contain at least 50% income-eligible units.

Exemplary Program: Community Energy Efficiency Project, City of Albuquerque; New Mexico

The Community Energy Efficiency Project is a joint initiative between the City of Albuquerque, Prosperity Works, Energy Works, and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). The program offers many services, with common measures including duct and air sealing, attic insulation, water heater pipe insulation, and water tank insulation.

Key accomplishments and program features

• The program has served more than 200 homes since 2020. 
• Additional measures include faucet aerators, advanced power strips, smart thermostats, LED lighting, energy efficient refrigerators, and high efficiency toilets.
• The Albuquerque City Council appropriates funds to support the program on an annual basis. Additionally, this year, the City of Albuquerque was awarded a Community Energy Efficiency Development Block Grant of $1.7 million over three years.  
• Potential participants self-report their household income levels; a household must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to apply.
• The program aligns with the city's Justice40 goal of ensuring at least 40% of federal investments go toward serving disadvantaged communities and the 2021 Climate Action Plan emphasizing Sustainable Buildings, especially assuring access to programs that foster energy efficiency.

Energy Works employees conducting their work in homes

Florence Mayberry, an Albuquerque homeowner who received services through the Community Energy Efficiency Project

Exemplary Program: Multifamily HVAC Retrofit Program, Oncor and EnerChoice; Texas

The Multifamily HVAC Retrofit program replaces air conditioners and electric resistance heating systems with energy-efficient heat pumps. The program's income-qualified track is open to households that are in a low-income census tract or have an income at or below 200% of the poverty level. An annual request for proposals (RFP) is held for building owners with the most impactful and cost-effective proposals selected for funding. 

Key accomplishments and program features

• The program has installed over 25,000 heat pumps since 2018, with 11,300 (45.2%) in low-income households.  
• For 2024, the program is expected to have around 4,400 heat pump installations with a $12 million budget spend.
• In addition to new heat pumps, residents can also receive smart thermostats.
• Financial incentives can cover between $1,700 to $3,000 of project costs.

Staging

Before installation

After installation