Research and Publications
Our advocacy work includes written research, policy papers, and comments that provide recommendations to policymakers and bring important issues to their attention. Browse the Association's position below on a variety of topics.
Pro Forma: Modeling the Impact of Program Marketing on Contractor Revenues
Robin LeBaron's presentation at the Better Buildings conference. Home Performance Advocacy
Introduction to TRC (Total Resource Cost)
Presented by Robin Lebaron at the 2012 ACI National Conference. Cost Effectiveness Testing
Residential Retrofits, Cost-Effectiveness & Home Valuation
Kara Saul Rinaldi's (Executive Director, NHPC) presentation at NASEO's annual building committee meeting at San Antonio, TX. Cost Effectiveness Testing, Valuing Home Energy Efficiency
The Resource Value Framework: Reforming Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness Screening
Given by Tim Woolf of Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. at the 2014 ACEEE Summer Study in Pacific Grove, CA. Cost Effectiveness Testing
Delivering Energy Efficiency more Cost-Effectively with HPXML
Presented May, 2015 at the ACI National Home Performance Conference by Julie Caracino, Director of Research & Standards, HPC - KEY SESSION TAKEAWAYS:• What is HPXML and why do we love it? • How can HPXML be used to make programs more cost-effective and responsive to our customers’ needs? • What should programs know before adopting HPXML? Data Standards
BPI-2101-S-2013 Standard Requirements for a Certificate for Residential Energy Efficiency Upgrades CEE Existing Homes Roundtable on Scoring and Labeling
Despite the growth for energy efficient characteristics in existing homes, energy efficiency improvements are not typically recognized or valued in the real estate transaction for three major reasons. - By Julie Caracino, Director of Research and Standards, July 2016 Data Standards
National Standard Practice Manual for Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness – Developing Your Test
Overview & Introduction of Developing Your Test for the 2017 NARUC Summer Policy Summit 1. Principles 2. Resource Value Framework 3. Developing Resource Value Test 4. Relationship to Traditional Tests Secondary Tests Cost Effectiveness Testing
Unleashing Energy Efficiency
Public Utilities Fortnightly article on how energy efficiency can help with 111(d) compliance, and how cost-effectiveness reform is crucial for realizing energy efficiency's full potential.
Recommendations for Reforming Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness Screening in the United States: Using the Resources Value Framework to Identify Those Efficiency Programs that are in the Public Interest
This position paper introduces a new framework efficiency screening designed to address the challenges of current efficiency screening practices and realizing the full potential for cost-effective energy efficiency.
The Resource Value Framework: Reforming Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness Screening
The National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP) developed recommendations for using the Resource Value Framework (RVF) to improve cost-effectiveness testing. NESP, coordinated by NHPC, is a group of organizations and individuals that are working together to improve the way that utility customer-funded electricity and natural gas energy efficiency resources are screened for cost-effectiveness.
HPC Responds to the Direct Testimony of Randall Short – West Virginia Public Service Commission
HPC believes that the economic conclusions presented in the Short Testimony cite no study or analysis that contradicts this generally accepted and recognized principle of energy supply and demand. Furthermore, Energy Efficiency/ Demand Response programs have been demonstrated in numerous state and national studies to be lowest cost, most predictable and most immediate method to reduce energy demand while at the same time creating local jobs and providing health and comfort benefits to consumers. All 50 states implement a suite of Energy Efficiency/Demand Response programs citing research supporting the economic case for demand response and energy efficiency.
HPC Comments to Hon. Joseph C. Reynolds, Chairman Public Utilities Commission of Nevada Re: Rulemaking Docket on Senate Bill 150 (2017) – Docket No. 17-08023
Energy Efficiency/Demand Response programs have been demonstrated in numerous state and national studies to be lowest cost, most predictable and most immediate method to reduce energy demand while at the same time creating local jobs, providing opportunities for small business energy efficiency entrepreneurs and also providing health and comfort benefits to consumers and lower utility rates in the long term. We salute the legislature, the Governor and the Nevada Public Utilities Commission for initiating this Rulemaking Docket and energy efficiency planning process that will make Nevada a national leader in energy efficiency technology deployment, business development and also increase the reliability and security of Nevada’s energy system moving forward.
HPC Comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regarding the Evaluation of Existing Regulations Proposed Rule.
The Building Performance Association commented in support of EPA’s work on carbon regulations and the cost-effective use of energy efficiency to support not only carbon reduction but also job creation and economic growth.
HPC Comments on RESNET’s Proposed Data Access Policy
While HPC generally supports policy statements defined in bullets one, five, and six of RESNET’s Proposed Data Access Policy, we believe that this proposed data access policy overall is too restrictive and does sufficiently or comprehensively address the industry’s need for data on HERS rated homes. Therefore, instead of commenting on each point in the policy, HPC offers three general recommendations to inform the development of a more comprehensive data access policy.