Energy Efficiency

Real-World Effectiveness

A few stories about impacts of the work supported by EMEF’s grants

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Arizona’s energy efficiency programs have served hundreds of thousands of customers across the state. In 2014, Arizona Public Service (APS) reported that 40% of its customers had participated in its energy efficiency programs. An APS homeowner submitted a letter read aloud by energy efficiency advocates during a hearing before the Arizona Corporation Commission. “As a single dad, I look for every avenue of saving money.Energy efficiency upgrades have saved me thousands of dollars on my energy bill and our home is way more comfortable.”

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As a result of grantee efforts, more Arkansans than ever are receiving energy efficiency audits – benefiting residential and commercial customers alike. For instance, a family-owned boat manufacturer founded in 1960 in rural Arkansas, completed an extensive energy efficiency retrofit and realized annual utility savings of $135,000. This will allow the company to stay competitive and keep jobs in Arkansas.

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Xcel’s incentives for retrofit of homes and apartment buildings occupied by low-income families, implemented by Energy Outreach Colorado, has helped rehab several low-income multifamily buildings.

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As a result of grantee prodding, Idaho utilities are publishing success stories about participants in their efficiency programs. One Idaho school upgraded its lights, saving hundreds of dollars each year. Within two years, the school will pay off the investment, meaning more money for kids and better light to study by.

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A farm owner in Missouri set himself the goal of lowering his energy costs as much as possible. Over the last few years, he has converted entirely to electric, taken advantage of Ameren rebates on equipment and air sealing incentives, and paired his efficiency investments with solar. All told, he ended up with a payback of less than 4 years, very little monthly energy overhead, and a greater sense of stability and self-reliance.

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An historic cathedral in Columbus, Ohio benefited from AEP Ohio incentives for energy upgrades, including an LED lighting retrofit and optimizing the heating and cooling system. Utility incentives helped cover costs for the upgrades and the church used the money saved on energy bills to increase services for low-income members and neighborhoods (such as the food pantry and soup kitchen.)