Nebraska Energy Assistance Network

5/17/2013Nebraska Energy Education Symposium

Nebraska Energy Assistance Network

Get a

Head Start

on Energy


Members

Nebraska Energy Assistance Network (NEAN)

PASSION

UTILITIES

GOVERNMENTEDUCATION

NO

N-P

RO

FITS CO

MM

UN

ITY

AC

TIO

N

REGULATORY


• Educate people to use energy efficiently

• Assist in meeting basic energy needs

• Link with financial assistance and energy

efficiency resources

• Serve as a voice to identify and address

energy needs

Valuesand

Vision

Nebraska Energy Assistance Network (NEAN)


Low-income households spend a higher percentage of income for energy costs

Source: www.americaspower.org

EnergyTrends


1. Promote low-cost & under-utilized energy-

efficiency measures &

technologies

2. Help low-income families

use energy wisely & better

manage utility costs

Goals ofGet a Head

Start on EnergyCurriculum

Knowledge Behavior Change Energy Efficiency

ResourcesResource CD & video for all modules

• Spanish and English versions • Videos available free on

http://nebraskaenergyassistance.com/• DVD with Teaching Guide notebook

Teaching guide on Facilitator’s CD • Objectives & expected impacts• Activity sheets to provide to learners• Handouts to add or clarify information• Pre- and post-evaluations• Module evaluations • Available free as NEAN member or purchase



1. Two compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)2. LED night light with photocell3. Rope caulk4. Hot water and refrigerator/freezer temperature

gauge cards5. Switch/outlet foam gaskets6. Low-flow showerhead7. U.S. Dept. of Energy — Energy Savers Guide8. Kit items description & item use instructions

Cost: Varies with content & quantity $20 - $25

The Energy Kit (Optional)

Resources

Program used with or without the kit

7 Modules


1. Budgeting for Energy Costs

2. Energy Efficiency ( + kit)

3. Keeping Your Home Safe

4. Finding an Energy-Efficient Home

5. Resources

6. Kids Can Save Energy Too!

7. Communication for Problem Solving

8. Summary and post-survey

Audiences

• Low fixed income, low income– e.g. NE Head Start & Early Head Start

• Seniors• Clients seeking agency assistance • Neighborhood groups• First-time homebuyers• Financial Stability Partnership program• Schools – family living courses, etc.• Others


Facilitation


1. Use in 1-on-1 sessions with families, others

2. Use as a stand-alone program in larger groups

3. Use all or portions of materials Community

Uses

• Pre- and Post-survey results indicate

– Changes in actions & practices

– Installed kit items

• Module evaluations

• Facilitator evaluations


Educational Program Changed Knowledge and Behavior

Evaluation Instruments

• 640 low income families improved energy efficiency of their residential structures, improved management of residence for energy efficiency, & made more energy-efficient purchases.

• 18% fewer low-income families avoided having utilities disconnected, as a result, in part, of adopting energy efficient practices.


Outcomes & Impacts Across Nebraska

Outcomes & Impacts Across Nebraska

• 19% fewer low-income families skipped payments or partially paid energy bills, as a result, in part, of adopting energy efficient practices.


Evaluation Results


Pre- & Post- Evaluation Results

• Participants did adopt energy saving measures such as:– Caulking and weatherstripping – Purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs– Other behavior or action changes

Household Income of ParticipantsMatched pre & post n = 377 missing = 14


10.6%

7.2%

14.1%

Percentage by Income Category

17.0%

14.3%

6.9%

8.8%

5.6%

6.9%

8.8%

About 50% have less than

$20,000 incomeLower income Participants

Comparisons of pre- & post-surveys

Comparison of participant responses after program to responses before program

Examples:• Installed programming thermostat

– More likely to have done after program than before program *.005

• Closed shades or curtains in winter– More likely after program *.012

• Weatherstripped or caulked – More likely after program *038

• Purchased compact fluorescent bulbs – More likely after program than before *.004

Significant differences* t-tests – significant at < .05

t-tests – significant at < .05 5/17/2013Nebraska Energy Education Symposium

Impact After Program

Chi square tests controlling for age, income, cost of electricity, gas and other fuels with dollars spent for utilities

• Respondents who spent less than $2000 for utilities were – More likely to say yes - they adjusted

water levels in washing machines & dishwashers to conserve energy * .049

• Those who spent $2000 or more were– Less likely to say yes, they adjust water

levels to conserve


*significant <.05

Findings - Since completing program

Since completing the program. . . • Owners are more likely to have purchased

higher efficiency appliances to save energy cost– Not significant at <.05 level (.078)

• Respondents who pay $1000 or less for utility costs are more likely to say yes, they turned down the temperature on the water heater to save energy costs– Not significant at <.05 level (.078)


Findings


Rick Cheloha, Loup Power District

402.564.7131 ext. #221; [email protected] Fuehrer, Nebraska Public Power District

402.362.7390; [email protected]

Roger Hunt, Nebraska Public Power District

402.866.5191; [email protected]

Judi Martin, Omaha Public Power District402.636.3654; [email protected]

KeyContacts

NEAN Energy Education committee members


Website

www.nebraskaenergyassistance.com


ECONOMICCONSTRAINTS

CONSTRAINTSPHYSICAL

KNOWLEDGE

COGNITIVE ABILITY

DEFICITS

EXISTING CONDITIONS/BEHAVIOR

OPERATIONS/PRACTICES

PERSONAL/RESOURCE Demographics

MARKETCONSTRAINTS

BARRIERS IN BUILDING& EQUIPMENT

EXISTING PHYSICALCONDITIONS/

SATISFACTIONWITH PHYSICAL

CONDITIONS

SATISFACTION WITH PRACTICES

IN CONDITIONS &PRACTICES

ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED

S. NIEMEYER, UN-L 2004HOUSING ADJUSTMENT MODELCONSTRUCTSAdapted in part from Morris & Winter,1979 Housing Adjusment Model.

Energy Adjustment & Alterations Model

Common Approaches to Encouraging Conservation Behavior

• Reward – consistent vs. inconsistent

• Significant other – valued, respected

• Recognition

• Feedback on how doing

• Penalties, policies, regulations

• Attitudes & values consistent with behavior

• Reduce constraints – economic, physical, availability,



Questions?

Get a

Head Start

on Energy

Nebraska Energy Assistance Network

Documents

Transcript of Nebraska Energy Assistance Network