Tools- of Changes

Utility Energy Efficiency Program Performance from a Climate Change Perspective: a comparison of structural and behavioral programs

Behavioral energy efficiency programs can reduce the same amount of damages from carbon emissions as structural retrofit programs, but in less time and at lower cost. They can  also further boost savings from structural programs.

States and utilities increasingly rely on energy efficiency programs to address climate change mitigation goals. This report assesses two types of such energy efficiency programs: behavioral programs that offer savings for a relatively short time, and structural retrofit programs that offer savings over longer periods. The authors find that behavioral energy efficiency programs can reduce the same amount of damages from carbon emissions as structural retrofit programs, but in less time and at lower cost. They also show that behavioral programs can further boost savings from structural programs.

In light of the scientific evidence pointing to the need to achieve rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, public utility commissions should continue to encourage utilities to make behavioral programs a key pillar in their energy efficiency program portfolio.