Item 12: AE Weatherization Programs Update — original pdf

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Austin Energy Weatherization Programs For Limited Income Customers January 11, 2021 Electric Utility Commission Sarah Chatterjee, Terry Moore & Manny Garza © 2018 Austin Energy Agenda Overview Pandemic Impacts Single Family Weatherization Multi-Family Weatherization 2 Weatherization Programs Cumulative Overview • Programs have served customers for over 38 years • Over 20,000 unique single family homes and 12,000 apartments weatherized at no cost to customer/owner • 137,000 apartments weatherized in standard program • Focus on continuous improvement and inclusion Augmented annually by* • ~187, 500 point of sale discounts at 70 retail locations • 4,800 education kits to Title 1 students • 1,376 S.M.A.R.T. units • Energy alerts • Solar for limited income customers *FY20 unaudited 3 Weatherization Measures Energy Assessment Attic Insulation Home Envelope Sealing Duct Sealing / Replacement Solar Screens Smart Thermostats Energy Star Appliances Lighting AC Tune-Up Partner with Neighborhood Housing, Home Repair Coalition 4 Pandemic Impacts • Health and safety of customers, employees and contractors is essential • Unable to weatherize interior spaces for 4 months • Early FY20 multifamily results helped • Used time to focus on program enhancements, order PPE, update field procedures • Virtual inspections, benefits Programs Shutdown 3/16/20 External Work 5/5/20 Vacant Apt. Units 7/7/20 Reopening 7/20/20 PPE: Personal Protective Equipment 5 Weatherization Program Criteria • Energy Star Program • Home size of ≤ 2,500 sq.ft. • Home value of ≤ $300,000 • Up to $7,500 of free home improvements • Single Family to Four-Plex/Condo/Mobile Home • Owner or Renter Over 60% of our residential customers rent 6 Weatherization Program Enhancements • Enhanced Eligibility = Increased Inclusion FY20 200% FPL* $52,400 Multiple pages FY21 80% MFI** $78,100 1 page Income Verification Income Documentation Required Self Attestation Income Threshold Income Amount*** Application * Federal Poverty Level ** Median Family Income *** Family of Four • A/C Rebate & Loan Changes • Lowered qualifying credit score • Up to $950 rebate • Velocity Credit Union loans up to $10,000 at 0% interest/120 months 7 Program Enhancement Results In just over a month! • Fiscal Year 2020 • Goal of 527 Homes • 246 Homes Weatherized, will carry over budget to FY21 • Fiscal Year 2021 • Kick-off email sent • 200 applications returned • Continue to receive 1 to 2 per day • 3 Rebate and Loan applications already 250 200 150 100 50 0 3.5 2.5 1.5 3 2 1 0 0.5 200 3 WX Applications Received FY20 FY21 95 0 Rebate and Loan Applications Received FY20 FY21 Eligibility enhancement created huge impact 8 Market What They Want Smart Thermostats Granite countertops of Energy Efficiency – Contractor Complete the loop by educating the customer and property owner This ensures tenants have a good experience Provides the knowledge to self serve issues 9 Bundle What They Need Lead with Dessert! • Thermostats • Smart Strips (Pilot) • HVAC Tune-Up Win-Win Eat Your Vegetables! • Insulation • Solar Screens • Plenum Remediation or Duct Seal • Lighting 10 Focus on the Intent • Continue to be more inclusive • Impact the Energy Burden • Consider Non-Energy Benefits • Indoor air quality • Comfort • Convenience • Control • Intentional about Reach • Thermostats • Smart Power Strip (pilot) Remember the intent … excellent customer experience 11 MFIQ* Overview FY20 MW Goal FY20 MW Actuals 1.41 1.13 % to Goal 80% MFIQ MW Goals MFIQ MW Actuals 2019 2020 2021 FY20 Budget $1,060,000 FY20 Spend $1,101,327 % to Goal 104% 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $0 MFIQ Budget MFIQ Actuals 2019 2020 2021 *Multifamily income qualified 12 Performance Indicators Fiscal Year 2019 versus Fiscal Year 2020 Tenant Units Served Average Measures per Enrollment Participating Contractors 6000 4000 2000 0 4746 1717 Participants 2019 2020 3 2 1 0 2.6 12 1.2 6 15 10 5 0 Average Measures per Enrollment 2019 2020 Participating Contractors 2019 2020 Facilitated by Council blanket authority 13 Customer Feedback • Customer Satisfaction Survey Results • 97.9% - satisfied with weatherization program • 97.9% - believe it is important that Austin Energy offers customers assistance with home weatherization • 87.9% - satisfied with amount of energy savings since improvements were completed “I was so excited when I got my first summer bill and it was cut by half!” - Johnny L. “I highly suggest this program to anyone who is interested in making their house more energy efficient.” - Cecilia T. “My house runs much better since it was weatherized.” - Amy M. 14 In Conclusion • Continuous improvement in Austin Energy weatherization programs • Other programs augment • Impacts, health and safety protocols due to pandemic • Equity community engagement consultant retention • RFP developed in partnership with COA Equity Office • Engagement via safe channels • Currently being finalized by Purchasing Department 15 Questions? ©2018 Austin Energy. All rights reserved. Austin Energy and the Austin Energy logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Austin Energy, the electric department of the City of Austin, Texas. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.