Quantitative On-Site Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Programs

Jackie Berger

August 16, 2010

MotivationQuotes from summary of on-site visit:

“The core finding was that the auditor’s and crew’s engagement with the client and with one another increased as a function of their familiarity with their tools and their tasks. To some degree there was more engagement within the crew when the logistical challenges were greater, causing crew members to turn to one another to work out solutions.”

2

MotivationQuotes from summary of on-site visit:

“The agency routinely uses good-quality silicone caulk for air sealing interior and exterior cracks, particularly around windows. While this is probably satisfactory, an easier-to-apply caulk with a long lifetime and substantially lower cost is in widespread use in weatherization and other retrofit work. It’s an acrylic latex with silicone. After dispensing (using the pull or push method), it can be easily worked with a wet sponge, rag, or finger and has a lifetime rated at 35 to 50 years…

3

Motivation

Quotes from summary of on-site visit:

…It is available in a number of standard colors including white and clear. (The clear comes out of the tube white and gradually turns clear during curing, a process that takes at most a day unless humidity levels are particularly high.) It cleans easily with soap and water and costs about $2.25 per tube in case quantities at Home Depot and other home supply stores...

4

Motivation

Quotes from summary of on-site visit:

…Finally, since installing air sealing measure on the inside of the conditioned envelope is usually more effective in limiting convective losses than is installation on the exterior, use of an acrylic latex product with silicone usually results in a more aesthetically appealing result than does pure silicone. When fully cured, it also takes paint well (Figures 22 and 23).”

5

Motivation

6

Figures 22 and 23. All caulks have their place and matching the right one to the right job is part of the weatherization craft.

Motivation

• Goals for on-site observation and inspections– Collect the targeted information.– Summarize findings over all visits.– Understand how findings relate to the program

overall.– Make recommendations for program improvement.

7

Session Outline

• Introduction

• Process Evaluation Research

• On-Site Evaluation

• Sample Selection

• Data Collection Instruments

• Findings from On-Site Evaluation

• Summary

8

INTRODUCTION

9

INTRODUCTION• Impact evaluation

– How much energy is saved?– Is the program cost-effective?– Which measures are cost-effective?

• Process evaluation – Why succeeding or not meeting goals?– How can the program be improved?

• Documenting service delivery– Anecdotal – cannot be generalized.– Quantitative – how pervasive are the issues.

10

PROCESS EVALUATION RESEARCH

11

Research Tasks

• Background research purpose– Understand program policies and procedures.– Identify potential improvements.

• Background research activities– Review program documentation.– Conduct in-depth interviews with program

designers and managers.– Review program performance statistics.

12

Research Tasks

• Contractor survey purpose– Understanding of program

– Program implementation issues

– Barriers with program procedures

• Contractor survey activities– Review delivery statistics.

– Review contractor characteristics.

– Select sample.

– Conduct survey and analyze data.13

Research Tasks

• Client survey purpose– Program experiences– Energy education delivered– Energy education impact– Safety and comfort impact– Satisfaction

14

Research Tasks

• Client survey activities– Identify key segments.– Select sample.– Conduct survey and analyze data.

15

ON-SITE EVALUATION

16

On-Site Importance

• Were protocols followed?

• How well did they work?

• Were important savings opportunities missed?

17

On-Site Importance

• Protocols – provider compliance– Program information, diagnostic tests, measure

installation, client education.

• Protocols – applicability– How well protocols work, consistent application.

• Use of equipment– Tools available, adequately maintained and used

correctly.

18

On-Site Importance

• Provider adaptability– Protocols properly adapted to individual

circumstances.

• Comprehensiveness– Extent to which cost-effective procedures are

addressed, potential modification of procedures.

• Quality of Work– Conformance to program standards, respect for client

home, safety.

19

On-Site Importance

• Client Education– Focus on high potential areas, ability to

motivate clients.

• Client Interaction– Explanation of program and work, use of client

feedback as information input.

20

SAMPLE SELECTION

21

Sample Selection Challenges• Limited sample size.

• Many contractor/job/home/client characteristics to consider.

• Difficult to draw inferences about program implementation.

22

Sample Selection Methods• Probability sampling

– Random selection techniques are used.– Each job has a known probability of selection.– Results can be weighted to represent the program.– Confidence intervals can be developed.

• Purposive sampling– Random selection techniques are not used.– But can allow for assessment of program performance.

23

Sample Selection Utility Program Evaluation• 5 service delivery areas, as specified by utility.

• Baseload jobs – customers without electric heat or hot water.

• Full cost jobs – customers with installed electric heat and >3,600 kwh seasonal heating or cooling usage.

• 16 contractors provide services.

24

Sample Selection Utility Program Evaluation• One dominant contractor in each service area

for each job type.

• Budget only allowed for observation/inspection of one contractor in each service area for each job type.

• Dominant contractor for each area was chosen.

25

Sample Selection Utility Program Evaluation

26

Region Contractor# Baseload

# Full Cost

Region Contractor# Baseload

# Full Cost

1 A 6 272 3 I 135 1021 B 0 23 3/4 J 46 1281 C 1 107 3/4 K 153 12 D 81 115 4 L 38 272 E 36 58 4 M 2 1062 F 44 102 4 N 63 02 G 53 0 5 O 4 4122 H 28 46 5 P 57 0

Previous Year Service Delivery

Sample Selection Utility Program Evaluation• Selected contractors represent 60 percent of

Baseload jobs and 68 percent of Full Cost jobs.

• Contractors use only 1-3 auditors.

• Observed auditors do 30 to 40 percent of the audit work.

• Findings represent significant percentage of job experiences.

27

Sample Selection National WAP Evaluation• Select 20 local agencies in 20 different states

28

Stratification Factors

Climate Region

Crews or Contractors

Urban/Rural/Suburban

Agency Size

Client Education

Community Action Agency /Other Type

Baseload Measures

TrainingDOE Funding/ Substantial

Other Resources

QADominant

FuelComputerized

Audit/Priority List

PROCEDURES AND FORMS

29

Procedures and FormsDevelopment• Understand

– Program goals– Program design and implementation– Roles/responsibilities of providers

• Source of problems– Protocols– Division of responsibilities– Implementation

30

ProceduresUtility Program Evaluation• Baseload Observations, Full Cost

Observations, Full Cost Inspections– Procedures: how to conduct visit, forms to

complete, visit write-up, forms to collect from contractor.

– Data Collection Form: home, electric usage, services provided.

– Potential Big Users: lights and appliances that could lead to high baseload usage.

31

Baseload ProceduresUtility Program Evaluation

1. During visit– Record auditor work and customer interactions.– Every 10 minutes record time and auditor actions. – Record if auditor addresses the Potential Big Users.

2. During/after visit– Complete Baseload Observation Form. – Complete Potential Big Users Form.

3. Immediately following visit– Debrief customer and auditor. 32

Baseload ProceduresUtility Program Evaluation

4. Evening or next day– Complete customer debriefing.

5. Narrative– Chronologically document audit.– Estimate length of key parts of audit.– Assess interaction between auditor and client.

33

Baseload ProceduresUtility Program Evaluation

6. Forms – obtain copies of all forms used during the visit.– Customer usage history– Program application– Core assessment form– Refrigerator data form– Water heater checklist– Customer profile– “Your Electric Bill” form

34

FormsUtility Program Evaluation• Selected parts of baseload observation form

35

VISIT INTRODUCTION

1. Did the customer expect the visit? YES NO

2. Did the auditor describe the program to the customer? YES NO

3. Did the auditor review and explain the electric bill? YES NO

4. Did the auditor discuss whether there were any health and safety issues?

YES NO

5. Did the auditor discuss whether there were any comfort issues?

YES NO

6. Did the auditor discuss whether there were any problems with energy usage?

YES NO

FormsUtility Program Evaluation• Selected parts of baseload observation form

36

PRIORITY LIST – AIR CONDITIONERS

1. Did the auditor inspect all window air conditioners? YES NO

2. Did the auditor do sealing around the air conditioner? YES NO

3. Did the auditor talk about seasonal storage? YES NO

4. Did the auditor determine that the air conditioner had EER of <6 or was in poor condition?

YES NO

5. If yes, did the auditor offer to replace air conditioner? YES NO

6. If yes, did customer accept AC replacement? YES NO

7. If no, why did the customer refuse

FormsUtility Program Evaluation• Selected parts of full cost inspection form

37

THERMOSTATS (FILLED OUT FOR EACH ONE)

Location Program Temp

System controlled Day Heat

Programmable Night Heat

Condition Day Cool

Accuracy Night CoolExceptional (Ex): No improvements identified Good (Gd): Minor improvements possible Satisfactory (Sat): Some improvements recommendedFair (Fr): Extensive improvements necessaryPoor (Pr): Substandard in all respects

Same as recorded

Effort_________ Quality _______ Appropriateness ___________

ProceduresWAP Evaluation• Observe audit, measure installation, and final

inspection.

• Observe job from start to finish in one home.

• Conceptual home – observe all aspects.

38

ChallengesWAP Evaluation• Observe up to 480 homes from 20 providers in 20

different states.• WAP implemented differently in every state.

– Audit procedures– Eligible measures– Type of education provided

• Develop general forms and procedures that collect detailed quantitative data.

• Assess work based on whose standards?

39

FormsWAP Evaluation• Audit observation form

• Audit write-up assessment form

• Measure installation observation form

• Final inspection observation form

• Client debriefing

• Weatherization staff/contractor debriefing

40

Forms - WAP Evaluation• Selected parts of audit observation form

41

Combustion Safety Tests

Test done? In agency standards?

Should have been done?

Performed correctly to obtain needed info?

Ambient CO in CAZ

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Ambient CO outside CAZ

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Gas/propane/ fuel oil leaks

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Spillage testing

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Heating system CO

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Water heating CO

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Forms - WAP Evaluation• Selected parts of audit observation form

42

Combustion Safety Tests

Test done? In agency standards?

Should have been done?

Performed correctly to obtain needed info?

Heating system draft

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Water heating draft

Y N Y N Y N Y N

CAZ – combustion air

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Range CO Y N Y N Y N Y N

Stove CO Y N Y N Y N Y N

Addressed immediate safety issues

Y N NA

Forms - WAP Evaluation• Selected parts of measure installation observation form

43

Air SealingMark NA if not in work scope and skip section

Mark NA if not done this visit and skip section

Blower door used to guide air sealing Y N NA

Sealing at top and bottom of envelope prioritized Y N NA

In Work Scope

Done This Visit

Rate Quality

Attic floor penetration sealed Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

Knee walls sealed Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

Second floor rim joist sealed Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

Forms - WAP Evaluation• Selected parts of measure installation observation form

44

Air SealingIn Work

ScopeDone This

VisitRate

Quality

Basement penetrations sealed

To outside Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

To conditioned space Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

Crawlspace penetrations sealed

To outside Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

To conditioned space Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

Garage penetrations to conditioned space sealed

Y N Y N 1 2 3 4 5

Forms - WAP Evaluation• Selected parts of measure installation observation form

45

Air SealingAll major opportunities sealed Y N

Lowest Highest

Overall quality of air sealing work 1 2 3 4 5

Overall cleanliness of air sealing work 1 2 3 4 5

Comments

5 – Exceptional: No possible improvements identified4 – Good: Minor improvements possible3 – Satisfactory: Some improvements recommended2 – Fair: Extensive improvements necessary1 – Poor: Substandard in all respects

FINDINGS FROM ON-SITE EVALUATION

46

Utility Program Visit Introduction

47

# of ObservationsYes No

Customer expected visit 10 0Explained Program 6 4Reviewed electric usage 4 6Discussed health and safety issues 4 6Discussed comfort issues 3 7Discussed any problems with energy usage

3 7

Utility Program Baseload Visit Summary

48

Length of Visit

Minimum Maximum Average

Visit length (minutes)

70 180 119

RatingExcellent Good Fair Not Acceptable

Overall rating (#of jobs)

4 2 2 2

Utility ProgramBaseload Recommendations

• Review requirements and expectations with contractors.

• Reinforce importance of the walkthrough for baseload jobs with all contractors.

• Provide additional training to contractors on the importance of 2-for-1 swaps in refrigerator replacement, and train contractors to work with customers to obtain their acceptance of this measure.

49

Utility ProgramBaseload Recommendations

• Review CFL replacement procedures with contractors.

• Review customer education requirements with contractors.

• Observe baseload service delivery to ensure that contractors meet program standards for service delivery.

50

Utility Program Inspections Overview

51

# of Observations

Very Good Good FairData collection accuracy 1 1 2Measure selection 1 3Measure appropriateness 2 2

Exceptional Good SatisfactoryEffort 3 1Quality 1 2 1Appropriateness 3 1Overall Rating 1 3

Utility ProgramFull Cost Recommendations

• Develop one set of required forms.

• Provide instructions on the back of each form.

• Require all applicable diagnostic tests at the audit visit.

52

SUMMARY

53

Recommendations• On-site work is an important component of

technical process evaluations.

• Select sample that accurately represents program.

• Design tools to capture what is observed in the field.

• Train staff to systematically record data and information.

• Analyze findings in conjunction with other research.

54