Setting the Table for Building Decarbonization

This past year, four states in the NEEP region released energy efficiency plans —Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The results ran the gamut, from progressive new approaches in Massachusetts thanks to its Climate Act, to the New Hampshire PUC’s proposal of a new plan to wind down utility energy efficiency programs. Despite this wide range of outcomes, trends emerged as states…

This blog was co-authored by Andy Winslow, Public Policy Associate, and Bryan Evans, Residential Program Associate. Fifteen years ago, thinking of the future inspired thoughts synonymous with anything from the Jetsons - flying cars, smart technologies throughout the home, and Rosie the robot helping with daily chores. While we may not have cars flying around us (yet), George Jetson’s lifestyle…

NEEP is proud to announce the addition of packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs) and single package vertical heat pumps (SPVHPs) to the Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Product List. These small form-factor products have recently become available with variable speed compressors, allowing operation at 5°F and below without supplementary electric heat. As architects, engineers, and energy…

If it’s been awhile since you’ve visited NEEP’s Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED) webpage, now’s the time! The REED webpage now features an easier-to-navigate interface with new video resources and an additional year of energy efficiency program data in the Master REED Workbook! I promise it’ll be the easiest trip you’ll take this holiday season – and the only one filled with a bounty…

Welcome to the newest installment of a new blog series called Turning Policy into Performance. In this series, we'll take a look at how states can implement decarbonization and climate goals with energy efficiency programs. States are establishing ambitious climate goals that rely on a transition of our power grid from fossil fuel-based energy to flexible, renewable clean energy. Embedding new…

What do codes people talk about at dinner parties? Regional codes trends, of course. Unfortunately, collegial dinner gatherings still seem a ways off; in place of meeting you in the hotel lobby, we have outlined our Top 10 regional codes trends of the year. We initially discussed these trends at our fourth quarter regional codes working group online meeting. Each codes team member shared a…

Over the past 18 months, the federal government has introduced multiple pieces of legislation that have supplied states with money for COVID relief efforts and other resources states have been seeking. Though the initial Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the later Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act provided funding to states, many…

For two days in October, over 350 stakeholders from around the country and Canada gathered to discuss adoption strategies for and non-energy benefits of heat pumps in NEEP’s virtual Heating Electrification Workshop. Like last year’s workshop, the event was virtual due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. This year’s workshop featured a more diverse set of session topics, ranging from equity…

Energy efficiency programs have long operated with a goal of lowering energy use in buildings. But with the right policy, energy efficiency programs can go further and lay the foundation for a more equitable, decarbonized economy. Recent legislation in Massachusetts, S9 - An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts (Climate Act), started this transformation. Since the law has been…

Winter in the Northeast leads to cold temperatures and the most energy intensive months of the year, putting a high stress on our grid and our wallets. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By investing in weatherization and energy efficiency appliance upgrades, we can lower the demand on our grid and our energy bills. Weatherization + Energy Efficiency Upgrades = Deep Energy Efficiency Retrofits…