Generating Demand for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Generating demand for EE upgrades is the first component of creating community-scale EE. Awareness and knowledge are the keys to generating consumer demand.
Education creates informed consumers who:
- Are aware of the value of EE
- See its application to their building
- Believe it can be done
- Have the knowledge of how to move forward
- Are committed to act.
Diverse educational delivery methods can be used to guide people from the first stage of gaining awareness of the value of EE to making a commitment to act. Follow the links below for resources and ideas for working with the specific audience.
Audiences who have the authority to decide and implement energy improvements:
- residential
- business
- government or school
- community-based renewable energy systems
Programs may target individuals and groups who can influence and support those who have the authority to implement changes. The educator works with a community partner such as informal leaders, large employers and high school students who then use their own networks to raise awareness about energy efficiency .
Driving Demand for Home Energy Improvements, by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Energy Analysis Department, givess a great overview of this topic. They "work on driving demand for home energy efficiency improvements explores strategies that can be used to increase the adoption of comprehensive home energy upgrades. Because there is no single solution for how to drive demand, and many communities are learning more about what works right now" the website provides links to case studies; webinars and a list serve as well as the full Driving Demand report and 3-page executive summary. Full reading list.
