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Topic/Matter Intersection

Topic:"Home Energy Report" in M06733

Matter: E-ENS-R-15 - EfficiencyOne Application for approval of a Supply Agreement for Electricity Efficiency and Conservation Activities between Efficiency One and Nova Scotia Power Inc.- NSPI - 2016-2019 DSM Plan IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION for Approval of a Supply Agreement for electricity efficiency and conservation activities between EfficiencyOne and Nova Scotia Power Incorporated, the establishment of a final agreement between the parties, and approval of a 2016-2018 Demand Side Management Resource Plan
173 passages 11 documents

Home Energy Report across all matters →

E-1EfficiencyOne Application - Revised Application see Exhibit E-43 5 passages
2.2 2014 DSM Programs p. pp. 12-13
2.2 2014 DSM Programs ENSC exceeded target in 2014, achieving 151.9 GWh of energy savings compared to the UARB-approved target of 137.8 GWh. These savings include results from both the Residential and Business, Non-profit, and Institutiona...

AI summary ENSC exceeded 2014 DSM energy savings targets by 14.1 GWh, driven by the Home Energy Report program. Customer satisfaction remained stable at 91.2, and results aligned with the UARB-approved 137.8 GWh target. The NSUARB (2012) DSM Settlement Agreement is referenced.

4.1.4 Cost Efficiency Opportunities p. pp. 44-45
4.1.4 Cost Efficiency Opportunities The 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan is cost effective, per legislative and UARB requirements for DSM. Results from Navigant's EL-RAM show that all programs are cost-effective in each year of the Plan, using...

AI summary The 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan is deemed cost-effective using TRC and PAC tests. ENS aims to reduce unit costs through program adjustments like removing the Home Energy Report and reducing Enabling Strategies investment. Navigant's 2015 report is cited for affordability considerations.

2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions p. pp. 85-86
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan does not include a target or investment for Energy Saving Actions. ENS piloted the Home Energy Report in 2013, and it will continue until early 2016....

AI summary Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS) discontinued the Home Energy Report pilot due to affordability concerns, opting for a lower DSM Plan level. ENS will continue exploring behavior-based energy efficiency incentives and conduct R&D through Enabling Strategies. Future DSM plans may revisit the Home Energy Report if higher energy savings are required.

INTRODUCTION TO DSM SCREENING p. p. 248
INTRODUCTION TO DSM SCREENING

AI summary An introduction to Demand Side Management (DSM) screening in Nova Scotia, involving key organizations like Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS) and Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI), with references to regulatory frameworks and energy efficiency programs.

RECENT CHANGES TO STANDARD PRACTICES p. p. 263
RECENT CHANGES TO STANDARD PRACTICES

AI summary The document outlines recent updates to standard practices in Nova Scotia's regulatory proceedings, involving entities like NSPI, ENS, and UARB. Key topics include energy efficiency programs, demand-side management, and regulatory frameworks. No specific arguments or cross-references are detailed in the provided text.

E-22014 Electricity Demand Side Management Plan Evaluation Reports 41 passages
Table 15: Recommendations for Home Energy Report p. pp. 43-44
Table 15: Recommendations for Home Energy Report No. Recommendations HER-R2. Review the raw and treated databases from Opower. Some confidentiality issues could not be solved within the evaluation timeframe and it was impossible for the Ev...

AI summary The evaluation of Opower's Home Energy Report recommends reviewing both raw and treated databases to validate adjustments applied, as confidentiality issues prevented this during the current evaluation. The methodology was deemed sound, but a future review is needed once confidentiality is resolved.

2 METHODOLOGY p. p. 94
2 METHODOLOGY This section presents the Econoler team, the methodology used and the activities carried out for the HER evaluation.

AI summary This section introduces the Econoler team and outlines the methodology and activities involved in evaluating the Home Energy Report (HER).

2.1 Presentation of the Team p. p. 94
2.1 Presentation of the Team To carry out the 2014 evaluation, Econoler collaborated with Corporate Research Associates (CRA). Tasks were divided as follows: - Econoler acted as the team leader and was responsible for coordinating all eval...

AI summary Econoler led the 2014 evaluation in collaboration with Corporate Research Associates (CRA), who conducted telephone surveys and analyzed data from HER's web-based component.

4 MARKET EVALUATION p. p. 100
4 MARKET EVALUATION This section presents the findings of the 2014 HER market evaluation from the web-based participants' perspectives. The survey included paper-based participants who also logged into the web portal. Questions were specif...

AI summary The 2014 HER market evaluation assessed participants' experiences with the web-based portal, including both web-based and paper-based participants who accessed the portal. The survey focused on their interactions and the information provided.

4.1 Participant Perspectives p. p. 100
4.1 Participant Perspectives A participant survey was conducted as part of the HER evaluation. In addition to the questions designed for impact evaluation purposes, survey participants were asked questions related to behaviour change, awar...

AI summary A participant survey was conducted as part of the HER evaluation, including questions on behaviour change, awareness, and satisfaction, in addition to impact evaluation questions.

4.1.3 Awareness of and Satisfaction with HER p. p. 103
4.1.3 Awareness of and Satisfaction with HER Respondents found out about HER in a number of ways, including media advertising, through the mail and word of mouth. The following table details sources of awareness of HER.

AI summary Respondents learned about the Home Energy Report (HER) through various channels such as media advertising, mail, and word of mouth. A table is provided detailing the sources of awareness for HER.

5.2 Net Savings p. p. 107
5.2 Net Savings This section presents the net savings associated with HER's paper-based component.

AI summary This section discusses the net savings related to the paper-based component of the Home Energy Report (HER).

Program Participation (Series P) p. pp. 132-133
Program Participation (Series P) - P1. What was the SINGLE most important reason you decided to sign up online for your Home Energy Report? [ACCEPT ONE RESPONSE] [DO NOT READ] - 1. (To save on energy/to save on energy costs) - 2. (Comfort)...

AI summary The document contains survey questions about program participation, focusing on the Home Energy Report and previous involvement in Efficiency Nova Scotia programs. Respondents are asked about their motivations for signing up and any prior participation in energy efficiency initiatives.

p. pp. 134-135
BF3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to purchase this [energy-efficient dishwasher/energy-efficient room air conditioner]? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report...

AI summary The text presents survey questions assessing the influence of the Home Energy Report on consumer decisions to purchase energy-efficient appliances and install heat-shrink film for window insulation. Respondents rate the report's influence on a scale from 0 to 10 and indicate how likely they would have made these decisions without the report.

We now have a few questions about your decision to hang laundry to dry in the last 12 months. p. p. 135
We now have a few questions about your decision to hang laundry to dry in the last 12 months. BL1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to hang your laundry to dry? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, whe...

AI summary The text presents survey questions about the influence of the Home Energy Report on customers' decisions to hang laundry to dry over the past year, asking respondents to rate the report's influence and their likelihood of making the same decision without it.

p. pp. 137-138
BL7b. [ASK IF ANSWER TO BL6 ˃ 0] Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many were hung to dry in the fall and winter period prior to you signing up online for your Home Energy Report? [RECORD NUMBER, PROBE FOR SPECIFIC...

AI summary The document contains a series of questions related to residential energy usage, specifically focusing on the use of clothes dryers and participation in the Home Energy Report program. The questions aim to gather data on how often dryers are used during different seasons and whether participants own or use a dryer before and after signing up for the program.

Questions on Tip: Wash Clothes in Cold Water [ASK IF B5c=YES] p. pp. 138-139
Questions on Tip: Wash Clothes in Cold Water [ASK IF B5c=YES] BV1. light bulbs (CFLs) and faucet aerators, at no charge. In the last 12 months, did you participate in Efficiency Nova Scotia's Residential Direct Install program? As part of...

AI summary The document includes survey questions related to a Home Energy Report's influence on residential energy behavior, specifically the decision to wash clothes in cold water. It also asks about participation in Efficiency Nova Scotia's Residential Direct Install program and the frequency of laundry loads.

We now have a few questions about your decision to reduce your shower time in the last 12 months. p. p. 140
We now have a few questions about your decision to reduce your shower time in the last 12 months. BS1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to reduce your shower time? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10,...

AI summary The text presents survey questions regarding the influence of the Home Energy Report on individuals' decisions to reduce shower time over the past year, including a scale for assessing influence and a follow-up question on likelihood of behavior change without the report.

Preamble p. pp. 140-142
- 1. Definitely - 2. Probably - 3. Probably not - 4. Definitely not - 8. (Don't know) - 9. (Refused) - BS3. Prior to signing up online for your Home Energy Report, what was your typical shower time in minutes, approximately? [RECORD NUMBER...

AI summary The text includes survey questions about shower time before and after signing up for a Home Energy Report, with options for responses including 'Don't know' and 'Refused'. There is also a reference to a picture on page 141.

Satisfaction with the Program (Series CS) p. p. 141
Satisfaction with the Program (Series CS) Moving along to another topic… The following questions will be about your participation in the Home Energy Report. The Home Energy Report refers to the online report that illustrates your household...

AI summary The text discusses a portion of a regulatory proceeding related to customer satisfaction with the Home Energy Report, an online tool that provides households with information on their energy usage and efficiency tips to reduce consumption.

CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? [DON'T READ; ALLOW MULTIPLE p. p. 141
CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? [DON'T READ; ALLOW MULTIPLE RESPONSE BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MULTIPLE] 1. Media advertising - 2. Contacted directly by Efficiency Nova Scotia

AI summary The respondent learned about the Home Energy Report through media advertising and direct contact from Efficiency Nova Scotia.

Recommendations (Series R) p. p. 144
Recommendations (Series R) [ASK ALL RESPONDENTS] - R1. Do you have any recommendations that you think would help improve the Home Energy Report? PROBE: Anything else? [ DO NOT READ, ACCEPT MULTIPLE ] - 1. (Improve the appearance of the rep...

AI summary The document requests recommendations for improving the Home Energy Report, with options including enhancing its appearance, content, clarity, or providing no recommendation. Respondents are asked to specify additional suggestions if applicable.

Section 1661 p. p. 148
H1. Do you recall having signed up on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website to have access to an online report which compares your household's electricity usage to similar homes, illustrates energy usage patterns and provides you with energy...

AI summary The question asks if the individual has signed up on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website to access an online report that compares their household's electricity usage to similar homes and provides energy efficiency tips.

H2. Thinking of this online report, in general, what have you done with it? Did you… p. p. 149
H2. Thinking of this online report, in general, what have you done with it? Did you… Done with HER 2014 Sample Size 250 Read the website content thoroughly 38% Read some of the website's content 34% Skim some of the website's content 13% G...

AI summary The text discusses how users interacted with an online Home Energy Report (HER) in 2014, including the percentage of respondents who read the content thoroughly, skimmed it, or only glanced at it. It also asks about the most important reason for signing up for the report.

- P2. Were there any other reasons? p. p. 149
- P2. Were there any other reasons? 2014 Motivations for Signing Up for HER Most Important Reason Other Reasons Sample Size 250 243 To save on energy/to save on energy costs 46% 14% To find out/improve home energy rank compared with other...

AI summary The table provides insights into the motivations for signing up for the Home Energy Report (HER) in 2014. The primary reason was to save on energy costs, followed by improving home energy rank. A significant portion of respondents indicated they did not know the reason or refused to answer.

Section 1668 p. pp. 151-152
BF3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to purchase this [energy-efficient dishwasher/energy-efficient room air conditioner]? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report...

AI summary The text presents a survey question asking respondents to rate the influence of the Home Energy Report on their decision to purchase an energy-efficient appliance, using a scale from 0 to 10.

2014 p. pp. 152-153
2014 Importance of HER in Dishwasher Air conditioner Influencing Purchase Sample Size Mean Score Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on purchase decision 24 3.1 14 4.3...

AI summary The text presents survey data on the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on consumer decisions to purchase energy-efficient appliances and install heat-shrink film for insulation. Results indicate that HER had a moderate influence on dishwasher purchases, higher influence on air conditioner purchases, and minimal influence on heat-shrink film installation.

Section 1670 p. p. 153
BW2. How likely would you have been to insulate your windows with heat-shrink film without your Home Energy Report? Without your Home Energy Report, would you have definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not insulated your window...

AI summary The question asks about the likelihood of insulating windows with heat-shrink film without the Home Energy Report, assessing the report's influence on consumer behavior regarding energy efficiency measures.

Section 1672 p. p. 154
BL1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to hang your laundry to dry? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10 indica...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was on their decision to hang laundry to dry, using a scale from 0 to 10.

2014 p. pp. 154-162
2014 Importance of HER in Deciding to Hang Laundry to Dry Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision 110 2.3 Base: Respondents who hung laundry to dry "Don't know/...

AI summary The text discusses survey data on the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on residents' decisions to hang laundry to dry. Respondents indicated that the HER had a moderate influence, with an average score of 2.3, and most would have still hung laundry to dry even without the report. Most respondents used outdoor clotheslines for drying.

Section 1675 p. pp. 155-156
- BL7a. Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many were hung to dry in a typical week in the spring and summer period prior to you signing up online for your Home Energy Report? - BL7b. Thinking of those [A NSWER TO BL...

AI summary The text contains a series of questions related to the usage of laundry loads in different seasons before and after signing up for a Home Energy Report, focusing on how many loads were hung to dry.

BL8b. Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many are hung to dry in the fall and winter period , after you had signed up online for your Home Energy Report? p. p. 156
BL8b. Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many are hung to dry in the fall and winter period , after you had signed up online for your Home Energy Report? 2014 Loads of Clothes Washing Hung to Dry Loads done in a typ...

AI summary The question asks about the number of laundry loads hung to dry in the fall and winter period after signing up for the Home Energy Report. It includes a table with data from 2014 showing the distribution of loads hung to dry before and after the report, with sample sizes and averages provided.

Section 1680 p. p. 158
BV3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to wash your clothes in cold water? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was in their decision to wash clothes in cold water, using a scale from 0 to 10.

Importance of HER in Decision to Wash Clothes in Cold Water 2014 p. p. 158
Importance of HER in Decision to Wash Clothes in Cold Water 2014 Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision to wash in cold water 118 1.6 Base: Respondents who was...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) had a modest influence on respondents' decision to wash clothes in cold water, with an average score of 1.6 on a scale from 0 to 10. Most respondents (70%) indicated they would have washed clothes in cold water regardless of the HER.

Section 1682 p. pp. 158-159
- BV6. Thinking of the [ANSWER TO BL6 OR BV5] loads of clothes washing your household does in a typical week, approximately how many were washed in cold water prior to you signing up online for your Home Energy Report? BV7. Thinking of the...

AI summary The text asks respondents to estimate the number of cold water laundry loads their household performed before and after signing up for the Home Energy Report (HER), as part of a survey or assessment related to energy usage patterns.

2014 p. p. 159
2014 Loads of Washing Done in Cold Water Loads done in a typical week Loads washed in cold water prior to HER Loads washed in cold water after HER Sample size 118 118 118 0 - 7% - 1-2 loads 19% 25% 25% 3-4 loads 38% 31% 34% 5-9 loads 20% 1...

AI summary The table shows the distribution of cold water laundry loads per week before and after the Home Energy Report (HER) was implemented. The data indicates a slight increase in the number of cold water loads washed after the HER, suggesting a potential impact of the report on consumer behavior.

Section 1684 p. p. 159
BC1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to turn off your computer at night? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10...

AI summary The question asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was in their decision to turn off their computer at night, using a scale from 0 to 10.

Importance of HER in Decision to Turn Off Computer at Night 2014 p. p. 159
Importance of HER in Decision to Turn Off Computer at Night 2014 Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision to turn off computer at night 119 2.5 Base: Respondents...

AI summary A 2014 study assessed the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on the decision to turn off computers at night. The survey included 119 respondents, with a mean score of 2.5 on a scale from 0 to 10, where 10 indicated 'Extremely influential' and 0 indicated 'No influence at all.'

Section 1686 p. pp. 159-160
\ \ \ Don't know removed from calculation of mean score \ \ \ \ Due to a programming error, 15 respondents did not receive BV5. These respondents have been included as don't know responses. BC2. How likely would you have been to turn off y...

AI summary The text discusses a survey question regarding the likelihood of respondents turning off their computers at night without the Home Energy Report, noting programming errors that affected data collection.

Likelihood of Turning off Computer Without HER 2014 (%) p. p. 160
Likelihood of Turning off Computer Without HER 2014 (%) Sample Size 121 Definitely 58% Probably 23% Probably not 15% Definitely not 4% Base: Respondents who turned off computer at night - BC3. Prior to signing up online for your Home Energ...

AI summary The table shows the likelihood of respondents turning off their computer at night without the Home Energy Report (HER) in 2014. The sample size was 121, with 58% indicating they definitely turned off their computer, 23% probably, 15% probably not, and 4% definitely not.

- BC4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, how many times a week do you turn off your computer at night? p. p. 160
- BC4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, how many times a week do you turn off your computer at night? 2014 (%) Times per Week Computer was Turned Off at Night Times per week turned off computer before HER Tim...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) has influenced consumer behavior, with a significant increase in the number of times respondents turned off their computers at night after receiving the report. The average increased from 4.9 to 6.4 times per week.

Section 1691 p. p. 162
BS1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to reduce your shower time? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10 indicat...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was in reducing their shower time on a scale from 0 to 10.

- BS4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, what is your current typical shower time in minutes, approximately? p. p. 162
- BS4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, what is your current typical shower time in minutes, approximately? 2014 (%) Typical Shower Time Shower Time before HER Shower Time after HER Sample Size 100 100 Less t...

AI summary The data shows a shift in typical shower times before and after receiving the Home Energy Report, with a decrease in average shower time from 10.0 to 6.6 minutes, indicating potential energy-saving behavior influenced by the report.

CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? p. pp. 163-164
CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? Sources of Awareness 2014 (%) Sample Size 250 Media advertising 26% Through the mail/Bill insert 21% Word of mouth 14% Internet (general) 6% Contacted directly by ENSC 6% ENSC webs...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) was primarily learned about through media advertising (26%) and mail/bill inserts (21%). Satisfaction with the HER was high, with 59% reporting mostly satisfied and 20% completely satisfied. However, 15% were mostly dissatisfied, and 5% completely dissatisfied.

S2. You indicated being dissatisfied with the Home Energy Report overall. For what reasons were you not satisfied with the Home Energy Report overall? p. p. 164
S2. You indicated being dissatisfied with the Home Energy Report overall. For what reasons were you not satisfied with the Home Energy Report overall? Reasons for Dissatisfaction 2014 (%) Sample Size 48 Not accurate/Don't agree with report...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) received dissatisfaction from respondents due to reasons such as inaccuracy, lack of comparability to other homes, insufficient information, and irrelevance of provided tips. However, aspects like the appearance and clarity of the report were largely satisfied by respondents.

S4. You mentioned being dissatisfied with the usefulness of the tips provided in your Home Energy Report. In your opinion, what could be done to improve this aspect? p. p. 165
S4. You mentioned being dissatisfied with the usefulness of the tips provided in your Home Energy Report. In your opinion, what could be done to improve this aspect? Suggestions to Improve Usefulness of Tips 2014 (%) Sample Size 31 Already...

AI summary The user expressed dissatisfaction with the usefulness of tips in the Home Energy Report (HER), suggesting that the information provided was not new or specific enough to their home. There was also a low rate of direct contact with Efficiency Nova Scotia's contact centre, and those who did contact them reported mixed levels of satisfaction with the service.

E-4REVISED Econoler Home Energy Report - March 18-2015 56 passages
HOME ENERGY REPORT 2014 DSM EVALUATION p. p. 0
HOME ENERGY REPORT 2014 DSM EVALUATION

AI summary The document is a Home Energy Report from 2014 evaluating Demand Side Management (DSM) programs. It is part of a regulatory proceeding in Nova Scotia, focusing on energy efficiency initiatives and their impact.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY p. p. 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report presents the results of the 2014 process, market and impact evaluation of Home Energy Report (HER), also known as the Energy Savings Actions program. The 2014 evaluation was based on the data and information c...

AI summary The 2014 evaluation of the Home Energy Report (HER) program, also called Energy Savings Actions, included interviews with the Program Manager and Opower, a survey of 340 participants, billing analysis, and savings reviews to assess program impact and effectiveness.

Evaluation Approach for the Paper-based Component p. pp. 5-6
Evaluation Approach for the Paper-based Component In 2012, the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action), facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed a guideline on h...

AI summary The evaluation approach for the paper-based component references a 2012 SEE Action guideline recommending randomized controlled trials (RCT) and panel data analysis for behavior-based energy programs. Opower used RCT to quantify HER savings, but ENSC did not follow the guideline's independent evaluation requirements due to pre-existing contracts and confidentiality issues with Econoler, limiting data access.

Key Findings p. p. 6
Key Findings Since its inception in 2013, a total of 93,119 participants have taken part in the paper-based component of HER, and 10,669 participants have taken part in the web-based component. In terms of net energy savings for 2014, the...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) program, since 2013, has engaged 93,119 paper-based and 10,669 web-based participants. In 2014, HER achieved 25.336 GWh (paper) and 0.100 GWh (web-based) net energy savings, totaling 25.437 GWh, alongside 2.892 MW of peak demand savings.

Influence of HER on Behavioural Changes p. p. 6
Influence of HER on Behavioural Changes Participants in the web-based component of HER were first asked a number of survey questions about energy efficiency behaviours to find out whether they had adopted one or more of them in the 12 mont...

AI summary Participants in HER reported low influence (1.6-4.3/10) on adopting energy efficiency behaviors, yet post-HER data showed increased laundry in cold water, reduced shower time, and more frequent laundry drying. Most respondents indicated they would have adopted these behaviors without HER.

Satisfaction p. pp. 6-7
Satisfaction Close to 80 percent of web-based participants said they were satisfied with HER. Participants provided high satisfaction ratings to specific aspects of HER including the appearance and the clarity of the report, the ease of cr...

AI summary High satisfaction (80%) with HER's appearance, clarity, and tips, but concerns about report accuracy, energy comparisons, and insufficient house-specific information. Participants recommended more detailed data and improved comparison methodologies.

Energy Savings p. p. 7
Energy Savings To calculate the net savings of HER in 2014, the Econoler team first reviewed the methodology used by Opower for calculating the paper-based component savings. The energy savings achieved by the paper-based component are con...

AI summary The document details the evaluation of the Home Energy Report (HER) program's energy savings in Nova Scotia. Econoler calculated net savings by comparing paper-based and web-based components, using control groups and self-reported data. HER achieved 34.711 GWh energy savings and 3.938 MW demand savings from April 2013 to December 2014.

Recommendations p. p. 7
Recommendations Overall, the Econoler team finds that the paper-based component of HER has succeeded in achieving the expected results in terms of changing participants' electricity consumption behaviour. The impact of the web-based compon...

AI summary The Econoler team found the paper-based HER component effective in changing electricity consumption behavior, while the web-based component's impact remains unclear. Recommendations focus on optimizing HER, building on 2014 DSM program evaluations. Key emphasis is on improving the web-based component's effectiveness.

2 METHODOLOGY p. p. 10
2 METHODOLOGY This section presents the Econoler team, the methodology used and the activities carried out for the HER evaluation.

AI summary This section outlines the Econoler team's role, the methodology employed, and activities conducted for the Home Energy Report (HER) evaluation. It focuses on the team's approach to assessing the HER program's effectiveness within the regulatory proceeding.

3 PROCESS EVALUATION p. p. 14
3 PROCESS EVALUATION This section presents the findings from the process evaluation of HER, which has been carried out on the basis of the information gathered from the documentation and an interview with the PM.

AI summary The process evaluation of the Home Energy Report (HER) program was conducted using documentation and an interview with the Program Manager (PM) to assess the program's implementation and effectiveness.

3.1 Program Design p. p. 14
3.1 Program Design Participants in the paper-based component are provided with paper reports that illustrate their energy usage patterns, compare their energy usage to an anonymous group of similar neighbouring homes and offer tips on how...

AI summary The program design includes paper-based and web-based components of HER, which use energy usage comparisons to motivate behavioral change. Paper reports provide detailed feedback, while the web portal offers tips. Behavioral changes may erode over time, whereas product-based actions yield more persistent savings.

4 MARKET EVALUATION p. p. 17
4 MARKET EVALUATION This section presents the findings of the 2014 HER market evaluation from the web-based participants' perspectives. The survey included paper-based participants who also logged into the web portal. Questions were specif...

AI summary The 2014 HER market evaluation analyzed web-based and paper-based participant interactions with the web portal, focusing on their experience with the information provided. The survey included participants who accessed the web portal, assessing their engagement with the Home Energy Report (HER) platform.

4.1 Participant Perspectives p. p. 17
4.1 Participant Perspectives A participant survey was conducted as part of the HER evaluation. In addition to the questions designed for impact evaluation purposes, survey participants were asked questions related to behaviour change, awar...

AI summary A participant survey was conducted as part of the Home Energy Report (HER) evaluation, including questions on behavior change, awareness, and satisfaction. The survey aimed to assess impact and gather insights beyond traditional metrics.

4.1.2 Usage of HER Report p. p. 18
4.1.2 Usage of HER Report Three-quarters of the participants recalled signing up for HER on the ENSC website (74%). The remaining survey questions, with the exception of demographics-related questions, were posed only to this group (n=250)...

AI summary Three-quarters of HER participants signed up via the ENSC website, with energy cost savings being the primary motivation. Most participants engaged with the HER content, showing general interest in the information provided.

Table 4: HER Report p. p. 18
Table 4: HER Report Uses of the HER Report 2014 Sample Size 250 Read the website content thoroughly 38% Read some of the website's content 34% Skim some of the website's content 13% Glance at the pictures, graphs or headlines 6% Others 5%...

AI summary The HER Report outlines how respondents engaged with the Home Energy Report in 2014, with most reading only parts of the content. The report also notes that the influence of the HER on energy-efficient activities was generally low.

Section 41 p. p. 19
The majority of respondents reported it would have been likely for them to adopt the specific energy-efficient behaviour without HER, as highlighted in the table below.

AI summary Most respondents indicated they would likely adopt energy-efficient behaviors even without the Home Energy Report, as shown in the provided table.

Table 6: Likelihood of Purchasing/Undertaking Activity without HER p. p. 19
Table 6: Likelihood of Purchasing/Undertaking Activity without HER Influence of HER 2014 Base Question Definitely/ Probably Respondents who purchased air-conditioners Likelihood of purchasing energy efficient air-conditioner without HER 14...

AI summary The table shows the likelihood of respondents undertaking energy-efficient behaviors without the Home Energy Report (HER). Despite not attributing behavior changes to HER, participants increased activities like hanging laundry to dry after participating in HER, indicating some influence from the program.

Preamble p. pp. 19-60
Similarly, there was a slight change in the number of loads of laundry washed in cold water following their participation in HER. Specifically, an average of 4.4 loads of laundry were done in a typical week by those who reported washing cl...

AI summary The text discusses behavioral changes observed in participants following their involvement in the Home Energy Report (HER) program. These changes include increased use of cold water for laundry, more frequent turning off of computers at night, and reduced shower times.

4.1.3 Awareness of and Satisfaction with HER p. p. 20
4.1.3 Awareness of and Satisfaction with HER Respondents found out about HER in a number of ways, including media advertising, through the mail and word of mouth. The following table details sources of awareness of HER.

AI summary Respondents learned about the Home Energy Report (HER) through various channels, including media advertising, mail, and word of mouth, as detailed in the following table.

Table 7: Sources of Awareness p. p. 20
Table 7: Sources of Awareness Sources of Awareness 2014 (%) Sample Size 250 Media advertising 26% Through the mail/Bill insert 21% Word of mouth 14% Internet (general) 6% Contacted directly by ENSC 6% ENSC website 5% Facebook or other soci...

AI summary Table 7 outlines the sources of awareness for energy efficiency programs in 2014, with media advertising and mail/bill inserts being the most common. Satisfaction with the Home Energy Report (HER) was high, though some participants had concerns about accuracy, comparisons, and the relevance of tips.

5.2 Net Savings p. p. 26
5.2 Net Savings This section presents the net savings associated with HER's paper-based component.

AI summary This section discusses the net savings related to the paper-based component of the Home Energy Report (HER) program managed by Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation (ENSC). The analysis focuses on quantifying financial benefits from this specific delivery method within energy efficiency initiatives.

6.2 Gross Savings p. p. 40
6.2 Gross Savings This section presents the gross savings associated with HER's web-based component.

AI summary Section 6.2 discusses gross savings linked to the web-based component of the Home Energy Report (HER), focusing on energy efficiency initiatives and their financial impacts.

Gross Peak Demand Savings p. p. 42
Gross Peak Demand Savings Some of the tips selected to calculate energy savings might have also achieved a certain level of peak demand savings. However, additional information is required to estimate the demand savings attributable to eac...

AI summary The document discusses challenges in calculating peak demand savings for energy efficiency programs. While some tips may contribute to peak demand reduction, insufficient data limits accurate attribution. The HER component's exclusion from the DSM Plan prevents using its on-peak demand-to-energy ratio. The Evaluator concluded no peak demand savings would be attributed to HER in 2014 due to its limited impact.

6.3 Net-to-gross Ratio p. p. 42
6.3 Net-to-gross Ratio This section discusses HER web-based component's NTGR evaluation, which included the assessment of the free-ridership level associated with each product category.

AI summary The section evaluates the HER web-based component's Net-to-Gross Ratio (NTGR), focusing on assessing free-ridership levels across different product categories.

6.3.1 Free-ridership p. p. 42
6.3.1 Free-ridership In HER's web-based component, free-ridership occurs when participants declare that they would still have implemented the energy-efficient measures in the absence of the program. The free-ridership level of each product...

AI summary The document discusses free-ridership in HER's web-based component, where participants claim they would have adopted energy-efficient measures regardless of the program. Free-ridership levels are assessed via surveys measuring participants' likelihood of adopting behaviors without HER and the influence of the online report. Responses are converted into program attribution to calculate free-ridership for each product category.

Table 26: Total Evaluated Savings at the Generator for HER p. pp. 45-46
Table 26: Total Evaluated Savings at the Generator for HER Net Savings 2013 2014 Total Energy Savings Paper-based Participants (GWh) 9.162 25.336 34.498 Web-based Participants (GWh) 0.113 0.100 0.213 Total 9.275 25.437 34.711 Peak Demand S...

AI summary Table 26 presents the total evaluated savings at the generator for the Home Energy Report (HER) in 2013 and 2014, including energy savings and peak demand savings for both paper-based and web-based participants.

CONCLUSION p. pp. 46-47
CONCLUSION Launched in 2013, HER is an innovative program intended to promote behavioural changes towards greater energy efficiency. Since its inception, a total of 93,119 participants have taken part in the paper-based component of HER, a...

AI summary HER, launched in 2013, has 93,119 paper-based and 10,662 web-based participants. The paper-based component achieved 34.498 GWh savings, while the web-based component had minimal impact (0.291 GWh). Evaluations showed mixed results, with the paper-based component effectively changing behavior but the web-based component showing limited influence. Net savings totaled 34.789 GWh, calculated using control groups for paper-based and self-reported data for web-based components.

Home Energy Report (Series H) p. p. 51
Home Energy Report (Series H)

AI summary The Home Energy Report (Series H) is part of a Nova Scotia regulatory proceeding, focusing on energy efficiency initiatives and program evaluations. It likely involves analysis of residential energy use and demand-side management strategies.

Program Participation (Series P) p. pp. 51-52
Program Participation (Series P) - P1. What was the SINGLE most important reason you decided to sign up online for your Home Energy Report? [ACCEPT ONE RESPONSE] [DO NOT READ] - 1. (To save on energy/to save on energy costs) - 2. (Comfort)...

AI summary The text outlines survey questions about participation in the Home Energy Report (HER) and prior engagement with Efficiency Nova Scotia's programs. It includes multiple-choice options for reasons for signing up, follow-up questions, and inquiries about previous program participation.

p. pp. 53-54
BF3. How influential [energy-efficient dishwasher/energy-efficient room air conditioner]? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your purchase decision' and 10 in...

AI summary The text presents survey questions about the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on consumers' decisions to purchase energy-efficient appliances and install heat-shrink film. Respondents are asked to rate the influence of the report on a scale from 0 to 10 and to indicate how likely they would have been to make these decisions without the report.

We now have a few questions about your decision to hang laundry to dry in the last 12 months. p. p. 54
We now have a few questions about your decision to hang laundry to dry in the last 12 months. BL1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to hang your laundry to dry? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, whe...

AI summary The text presents survey questions about the influence of the Home Energy Report on customers' decisions to hang laundry to dry over the past 12 months. It includes a rating scale and a follow-up question about likelihood without the report.

p. pp. 56-57
BL7b. [ASK IF ANSWER TO BL6 ˃ 0] Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many were hung to dry in the fall and winter period prior to you signing up online for your Home Energy Report? [RECORD NUMBER, PROBE FOR SPECIFIC...

AI summary The text contains survey questions related to the use of clothes dryers and participation in the Home Energy Report program. It asks respondents about the number of loads hung to dry before and after signing up for the program, as well as the type of dryer they own.

We now have a few questions about your decision to reduce your shower time in the last 12 months. p. p. 59
We now have a few questions about your decision to reduce your shower time in the last 12 months. BS1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to reduce your shower time? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10,...

AI summary The text presents survey questions regarding the influence of the Home Energy Report on individuals' decisions to reduce shower time over the past year, with specific focus on the report's impact and likelihood of behavior change without it.

Satisfaction with the Program (Series CS) p. pp. 60-62
Satisfaction with the Program (Series CS) Moving along to another topic… The following questions will be about your participation in the Home Energy Report. The Home Energy Report refers to the online report that illustrates your household...

AI summary The document outlines a survey assessing participant satisfaction with the Home Energy Report (HER), including how participants learned about HER, their overall satisfaction levels, and reasons for dissatisfaction such as irrelevant tips, difficulty creating accounts, or lack of consumption reduction.

[ASK ALL RESPONDENTS] p. p. 63
[ASK ALL RESPONDENTS] - R1. Do you have any recommendations that you think would help improve the Home Energy Report? PROBE: Anything else? [ DO NOT READ, ACCEPT MULTIPLE ] - 1. (Improve the appearance of the report) - 2. (Improve the cont...

AI summary The proceeding seeks recommendations to improve the Home Energy Report (HER), with options focusing on enhancing appearance, content relevance, clarity, or no changes. Respondents are asked to specify additional suggestions.

Section 142 p. p. 67
H1. Do you recall having signed up on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website to have access to an online report which compares your household's electricity usage to similar homes, illustrates energy usage patterns and provides you with energy...

AI summary The question asks if the individual recalls signing up on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website for access to an online report that compares their household's electricity usage to similar homes and provides energy efficiency tips.

Recall Signing Up for HER 2014 p. p. 67
Recall Signing Up for HER 2014 Sample Size 340 Yes 74% No 20% Don't know 7% \ \ Percent saying 'yes'

AI summary A 2014 survey with a sample size of 340 found that 74% of respondents had signed up for the Home Energy Report (HER), 20% had not, and 7% were unsure.

H2. Thinking of this online report, in general, what have you done with it? Did you… p. p. 68
H2. Thinking of this online report, in general, what have you done with it? Did you… Done with HER 2014 Sample Size 250 Read the website content thoroughly 38% Read some of the website's content 34% Skim some of the website's content 13% G...

AI summary The text discusses user engagement with the Home Energy Report (HER) online, including how users interacted with the report and the primary reason for signing up. It includes a table showing the percentage of users who read different portions of the report and a question about the most important reason for signing up.

Section 150 p. pp. 70-71
BF3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to purchase this [energy-efficient dishwasher/energy-efficient room air conditioner]? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was in their decision to purchase energy-efficient appliances, using a scale from 0 to 10.

Section 152 p. pp. 71-72
BW2. How likely would you have been to insulate your windows with heat-shrink film without your Home Energy Report? Without your Home Energy Report, would you have definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not insulated your window...

AI summary This question asks about the likelihood of insulating windows with heat-shrink film in the absence of a Home Energy Report, assessing the influence of such reports on consumer behavior regarding energy efficiency measures.

Section 154 p. p. 73
BL1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to hang your laundry to dry? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10 indica...

AI summary The text presents a survey question asking respondents how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was on their decision to hang laundry to dry, with a scale from 0 to 10.

2014 p. pp. 73-81
2014 Importance of HER in Deciding to Hang Laundry to Dry Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision 110 2.3 Base: Respondents who hung laundry to dry "Don't know/...

AI summary The text presents survey data on the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on customers' decisions to hang laundry to dry. Respondents indicated that the HER had a moderate influence, with an average score of 2.3. Most respondents would have hung laundry to dry even without the HER, with 67% stating they would have definitely done so.

BL11. Did you own a clothes dryer before signing up for your online Home Energy Report? p. pp. 76-77
BL11. Did you own a clothes dryer before signing up for your online Home Energy Report? Own Clothes Dryer Prior to HER 2014 (#) Sample Size 2 Yes 1 No 1 Base: Respondents who do not own a clothes dryer BV1. In the last 12 months, did you p...

AI summary The text asks respondents about owning a clothes dryer prior to signing up for the Home Energy Report and participation in the Residential Direct Install program. It also inquires about discussions with installers regarding cold water washing habits.

Section 162 p. p. 77
BV3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to wash your clothes in cold water? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was in their decision to wash clothes in cold water on a scale from 0 to 10.

2014 p. p. 77
2014 Importance of HER in Decision to Wash Clothes Sample in Cold Water Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision to wash in cold water 118 1.6 Base: Respondents who was...

AI summary The text discusses survey data on the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on consumer behavior regarding washing clothes in cold water. Respondents indicated that the HER had a moderate influence, with an average score of 1.6. A majority (70%) of respondents would have washed clothes in cold water regardless of the HER.

Section 164 p. pp. 77-78
- BV6. Thinking of the [ANSWER TO BL6 OR BV5] loads of clothes washing your household does in a typical week, approximately how many were washed in cold water prior to you signing up online for your Home Energy Report? BV7. Thinking of the...

AI summary The text asks respondents to estimate the number of cold water laundry loads their household performed before and after signing up for the Home Energy Report (HER), focusing on behavioral changes related to energy efficiency.

Section 166 p. p. 78
BC1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to turn off your computer at night? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10...

AI summary The text presents a survey question asking respondents how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was in their decision to turn off their computer at night, using a scale from 0 to 10.

Importance of HER in Decision to Turn Off Computer at Night 2014 p. p. 78
Importance of HER in Decision to Turn Off Computer at Night 2014 Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision to turn off computer at night 119 2.5 Base: Respondents...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) had a mean influence score of 2.5 on the decision to turn off computers at night, based on a sample of 119 respondents. This score ranges from 0 (no influence) to 10 (extremely influential). The data highlights the limited impact of HER on this specific behavior.

Section 168 p. pp. 78-79
\ \ \ Don't know removed from calculation of mean score \ \ \ \ Due to a programming error, 15 respondents did not receive BV5. These respondents have been included as don't know responses. BC2. How likely would you have been to turn off y...

AI summary The text discusses a survey question about the likelihood of turning off a computer at night without the Home Energy Report, noting programming errors that affected some respondents.

Likelihood of Turning off Computer Without HER 2014 (%) p. p. 79
Likelihood of Turning off Computer Without HER 2014 (%) Sample Size 121 Definitely 58% Probably 23% Probably not 15% Definitely not 4% Base: Respondents who turned off computer at night - BC3. Prior to signing up online for your Home Energ...

AI summary The table shows the likelihood of turning off a computer at night among respondents who received the Home Energy Report (HER) in 2014. The sample size was 121, with 58% indicating they definitely turned off their computer, 23% probably, 15% probably not, and 4% definitely not.

- BC4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, how many times a week do you turn off your computer at night? p. p. 79
- BC4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, how many times a week do you turn off your computer at night? 2014 (%) Times per Week Computer was Turned Off at Night Times per week turned off computer before HER Tim...

AI summary The question asks respondents how often they turn off their computer at night after signing up for the Home Energy Report (HER). A table shows a shift in behavior, with more respondents turning off their computers 7+ times per week after receiving the HER, and an increase in the average number of times per week.

Section 173 p. p. 81
BS1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to reduce your shower time? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10 indicat...

AI summary This question asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was in their decision to reduce shower time, using a scale from 0 to 10.

- BS4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, what is your current typical shower time in minutes, approximately? p. p. 81
- BS4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, what is your current typical shower time in minutes, approximately? Typical Shower Time 2014 (%) Shower Time before HER Shower Time after HER Sample Size 100 100 Less t...

AI summary The text asks respondents about their typical shower time before and after signing up for the Home Energy Report (HER), showing a shift in shower time distribution with a decrease in longer showers and an increase in shorter ones, with an average reduction from 10.0 to 6.6 minutes.

CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? p. pp. 82-83
CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? Sources of Awareness 2014 (%) Sample Size 250 Media advertising 26% Through the mail/Bill insert 21% Word of mouth 14% Internet (general) 6% Contacted directly by ENSC 6% ENSC webs...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) was primarily learned about through media advertising (26%) and mail/bill inserts (21%) in 2014. Satisfaction with the HER was mostly positive, with 59% of respondents reporting they were mostly satisfied and 20% completely satisfied.

S2. You indicated being dissatisfied with the Home Energy Report overall. For what reasons were you not satisfied with the Home Energy Report overall? p. pp. 83-84
S2. You indicated being dissatisfied with the Home Energy Report overall. For what reasons were you not satisfied with the Home Energy Report overall? Reasons for Dissatisfaction 2014 (%) Sample Size 48 Not accurate/Don't agree with report...

AI summary Respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the Home Energy Report (HER) due to issues such as inaccuracy, lack of comparability to other homes, insufficient information, and irrelevant tips. However, they were generally satisfied with the appearance and clarity of the report.

S4. You mentioned being dissatisfied with the usefulness of the tips provided in your Home Energy Report. In your opinion, what could be done to improve this aspect? p. p. 84
S4. You mentioned being dissatisfied with the usefulness of the tips provided in your Home Energy Report. In your opinion, what could be done to improve this aspect? Suggestions to Improve Usefulness of Tips 2014 (%) Sample Size 31 Already...

AI summary The respondent expressed dissatisfaction with the usefulness of the tips in the Home Energy Report (HER), suggesting that the information should be more specific to the house and provide more detail. Additionally, the respondent was asked about their experience with Efficiency Nova Scotia's contact centre representatives.

E-5REDLINE Version of Revised Econoler Home Energy Report - March 18-2015 53 passages
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY p. p. 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report presents the results of the 2014 process, market and impact evaluation of Home Energy Report (HER), also known as the Energy Savings Actions program. The 2014 evaluation was based on the data and information c...

AI summary This report details the 2014 evaluation of the Home Energy Report (HER) program, also called Energy Savings Actions. It analyzed data from interviews with the Program Manager (PM) and Opower, a survey of 340 HER participants, billing analysis, and unitary savings reviews to assess program effectiveness.

Program Component Overview p. p. 5
Program Component Overview The purpose of HER is to enable participating households to compare their energy usage with similar neighbouring homes by mailing to participating households periodic reports illustrating their energy usage patte...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) program mails households periodic energy usage comparisons and efficiency tips to reduce consumption. Opower, as the delivery agent, mailed reports to 98,000 households starting in April 2013, with a web portal launched in October 2013. HER aimed for 15.4 GWh electrical energy savings and 3.6 MW demand savings in 2014.

Evaluation Approach for the Paper-based Component p. pp. 5-6
Evaluation Approach for the Paper-based Component In 2012, the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action), facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed a guideline on h...

AI summary The document discusses the evaluation of Opower's Home Energy Report (HER) using methods recommended by SEE Action, including randomized controlled trials (RCT) and panel data analysis. However, Opower's evaluation lacked independent assignment of control/treatment groups, and confidentiality issues limited data access for Econoler's verification. Econoler focused on validating Opower's methods rather than estimating savings directly.

Key Findings p. p. 6
Key Findings Since its inception in 2013, a total of 93,119 participants have taken part in the paper-based component of HER, and 10,669 participants have taken part in the web-based component. In terms of net energy savings for 2014, the...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) program, since 2013, has engaged 93,119 participants in its paper-based component and 10,669 in the web-based component. In 2014, HER achieved 25.437 GWh of net energy savings and 2.892 MW of peak demand savings.

Influence of HER on Behavioural Changes p. p. 6
Influence of HER on Behavioural Changes Participants in the web-based component of HER were first asked a number of survey questions about energy efficiency behaviours to find out whether they had adopted one or more of them in the 12 mont...

AI summary Participants in HER reported low influence ratings (1.6-4.3/10) on adopting energy efficiency behaviours, yet some behavioural changes were observed post-HER, including increased laundry drying, cold water washing, and reduced shower times. Most respondents indicated they would have adopted these behaviours without HER.

Satisfaction p. pp. 6-7
Satisfaction Close to 80 percent of web-based participants said they were satisfied with HER. Participants provided high satisfaction ratings to specific aspects of HER including the appearance and the clarity of the report, the ease of cr...

AI summary 80% of web-based HER participants reported satisfaction, citing report clarity, account ease, and useful tips. Dissatisfaction stemmed from perceived inaccuracies, unfavorable comparisons to neighboring homes, insufficient details, and ineffective energy reduction outcomes. Participants recommended more detailed, house-specific data and improved comparison metrics.

Energy Savings p. p. 7
Energy Savings To calculate the net savings of HER in 2014, the Econoler team first reviewed the methodology used by Opower for calculating the paper-based component savings. The energy savings achieved by the paper-based component are con...

AI summary The Econoler team evaluated HER's energy savings by analyzing Opower's paper-based methodology and using surveys for web-based components. Net savings of 34.711 GWh and 3.938 MW were recorded from April 2013 to December 2014, using control groups and self-declared participant data.

Recommendations p. pp. 7-9
Recommendations Overall, the Econoler team finds that the paper-based component of HER has succeeded in achieving the expected results in terms of changing participants' electricity consumption behaviour. The impact of the web-based compon...

AI summary The Econoler team found the paper-based component of HER successful in changing electricity consumption behavior, but the web-based component's impact was unclear. Key recommendations include detailing HER's characteristics in documentation, reviewing Opower's databases, and conducting a billing analysis comparing treatment and control groups. These steps aim to improve evaluation accuracy and program effectiveness.

2 METHODOLOGY p. p. 10
2 METHODOLOGY This section presents the Econoler team, the methodology used and the activities carried out for the HER evaluation.

AI summary The section introduces the Econoler team, outlines the methodology employed, and details activities conducted for evaluating the Home Energy Report (HER) program.

3 PROCESS EVALUATION p. p. 14
3 PROCESS EVALUATION This section presents the findings from the process evaluation of HER, which has been carried out on the basis of the information gathered from the documentation and an interview with the PM.

AI summary The process evaluation of the Home Energy Report (HER) was conducted using documentation and an interview with the Program Manager (PM) as part of a Nova Scotia regulatory proceeding.

3.1 Program Design p. p. 14
3.1 Program Design Participants in the paper-based component are provided with paper reports that illustrate their energy usage patterns, compare their energy usage to an anonymous group of similar neighbouring homes and offer tips on how...

AI summary The program uses paper reports and a web portal (HER) to compare participants' energy use with similar homes, encouraging behavioral changes. While behavioral adjustments may erode over time, purchasing energy-efficient products yields more persistent savings. The objective is to reduce energy consumption through both components.

4 MARKET EVALUATION p. p. 17
4 MARKET EVALUATION This section presents the findings of the 2014 HER market evaluation from the web-based participants' perspectives. The survey included paper-based participants who also logged into the web portal. Questions were specif...

AI summary The 2014 Home Energy Report (HER) market evaluation surveyed web-based and paper-based participants, focusing on their interaction with the web portal and the information provided. The survey included participants who logged into the web portal to assess their experience.

4.1 Participant Perspectives p. p. 17
4.1 Participant Perspectives A participant survey was conducted as part of the HER evaluation. In addition to the questions designed for impact evaluation purposes, survey participants were asked questions related to behaviour change, awar...

AI summary A participant survey was conducted as part of the HER evaluation, assessing behavior change, awareness, and satisfaction. The survey aimed to evaluate the impact of the Home Energy Report program.

4.1.2 Usage of HER Report p. p. 18
4.1.2 Usage of HER Report Three-quarters of the participants recalled signing up for HER on the ENSC website (74%). The remaining survey questions, with the exception of demographics-related questions, were posed only to this group (n=250)...

AI summary Three-quarters of HER participants signed up via the ENSC website, with energy cost savings being the primary motivation. Most participants found the HER information useful and read at least some of the website content.

Table 4: HER Report p. p. 18
Table 4: HER Report Uses of the HER Report 2014 Sample Size 250 Read the website content thoroughly 38% Read some of the website's content 34% Skim some of the website's content 13% Glance at the pictures, graphs or headlines 6% Others 5%...

AI summary The HER Report summarizes how respondents engaged with the Home Energy Report in 2014, showing that most read some or all of the content, but the influence of the report on energy-efficient activities was generally low.

Table 5: Importance of HER in Influencing Decisions p. pp. 18-19
Table 5: Importance of HER in Influencing Decisions Importance of HER 2014 Base Question Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" Respondents who purchased air-conditioners HER influence...

AI summary Table 5 presents data on the importance of the Home Energy Report (HER) in influencing energy-efficient behaviors among respondents. The report shows varying levels of influence, with higher scores for decisions like purchasing energy-efficient air-conditioners and lower scores for actions like washing clothes in cold water.

Section 42 p. p. 19
The majority of respondents reported it would have been likely for them to adopt the specific energy-efficient behaviour without HER, as highlighted in the table below.

AI summary Most respondents indicated they would likely adopt energy-efficient behaviors even without the Home Energy Report, as shown in the provided table.

Preamble p. pp. 19-63
Similarly, there was a slight change in the number of loads of laundry washed in cold water following their participation in HER. Specifically, an average of 4.4 loads of laundry were done in a typical week by those who reported washing cl...

AI summary The text discusses behavioral changes observed in participants of the Home Energy Report (HER) program, including increased cold water laundry usage, more frequent computer shutdowns, and reduced shower times. These changes suggest the program influenced energy-saving behaviors.

4.1.3 Awareness of and Satisfaction with HER p. p. 20
4.1.3 Awareness of and Satisfaction with HER Respondents found out about HER in a number of ways, including media advertising, through the mail and word of mouth. The following table details sources of awareness of HER.

AI summary Respondents learned about the Home Energy Report (HER) through various channels such as media advertising, mail, and word of mouth. The text indicates that the sources of awareness are detailed in a table.

5 IMPACT EVALUATION FOR PAPER-BASED COMPONENT p. p. 22
5 IMPACT EVALUATION FOR PAPER-BASED COMPONENT The objective of the 2014 impact evaluation of HER's paper-based component was to determine the net energy savings. BothIn 2012, the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action...

AI summary The 2014 impact evaluation of HER's paper-based component aimed to assess net energy savings using methods like RCT and panel data analysis. However, Opower's evaluation lacked independent oversight and data cleaning due to pre-existing contracts and confidentiality issues. Econoler's evaluation focused on verifying Opower's calculations rather than following SEE Action guidelines.

5.2 Net Savings p. p. 25
5.2 Net Savings This section presents the net savings associated with HER's paper-based component.

AI summary Section 5.2 discusses net savings related to the paper-based component of the Home Energy Report (HER). The analysis focuses on quantifying financial benefits associated with this specific aspect of the program.

6.2 Gross Savings p. p. 40
6.2 Gross Savings This section presents the gross savings associated with HER's web-based component.

AI summary The section discusses the gross savings from the web-based component of the Home Energy Report (HER), a program aimed at improving energy efficiency.

6.3 Net-to-gross Ratio p. p. 42
6.3 Net-to-gross Ratio This section discusses HER web-based component's NTGR evaluation, which included the assessment of the free-ridership level associated with each product category.

AI summary This section evaluates the Home Energy Report (HER) web-based component's net-to-gross ratio (NTGR), focusing on assessing free-ridership levels across product categories to determine the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs.

6.3.1 Free-ridership p. p. 42
6.3.1 Free-ridership In HER's web-based component, free-ridership occurs when participants declare that they would still have implemented the energy-efficient measures in the absence of the program. The free-ridership level of each product...

AI summary The analysis of free-ridership in HER's web-based component involves assessing participants' self-reported likelihood of adopting energy-efficient measures without the program. Surveys evaluated the influence of HER on decision-making by measuring participants' probability of action without HER and the report's impact on their choices. Program attribution levels were calculated from survey responses to determine free-ridership rates per product category.

CONCLUSION p. pp. 46-47
CONCLUSION Launched in 2013, HER is an innovative program intended to promote behavioural changes towards greater energy efficiency. Since its inception, a total of 93,119 participants have taken part in the paper-based component of HER, a...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) program, launched in 2013, achieved significant energy savings through its paper-based component (34.498 GWh) but had limited impact from its web-based component (0.291 GWh). Evaluation found behavioral changes in participants, though web-based effectiveness was harder to measure. Net savings totaled 34.789 GWh, calculated using Opower's methodology and Econoler's analysis.

Home Energy Report (Series H) p. p. 51
Home Energy Report (Series H)

AI summary The Home Energy Report (Series H) is part of a regulatory proceeding in Nova Scotia, focusing on energy efficiency initiatives and related programs. It involves entities such as Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation (ENSC) and references methodologies like Demand-side Management (DSM) and Computer-assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI).

We now have a few questions about your decision to hang laundry to dry in the last 12 months. p. pp. 54-55
We now have a few questions about your decision to hang laundry to dry in the last 12 months. BL1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to hang your laundry to dry? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, whe...

AI summary The text presents survey questions regarding the influence of the Home Energy Report on customers' decisions to hang laundry to dry over the past 12 months, assessing the report's impact on behavior.

We now have a few questions about your decision to reduce your shower time in the last 12 months. p. p. 59
We now have a few questions about your decision to reduce your shower time in the last 12 months. BS1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to reduce your shower time? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10,...

AI summary The text presents survey questions about the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on individuals' decisions to reduce shower time over the past 12 months. It includes a scale to measure the report's influence and asks respondents to consider their behavior without the report.

Satisfaction with the Program (Series CS) p. p. 60
Satisfaction with the Program (Series CS) Moving along to another topic… The following questions will be about your participation in the Home Energy Report. The Home Energy Report refers to the online report that illustrates your household...

AI summary The text discusses the Home Energy Report (HER), an online tool providing households with energy usage data and efficiency tips to reduce consumption. It forms part of a program satisfaction evaluation under Series CS, focusing on participant experiences with energy efficiency initiatives.

CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? [DON'T READ; ALLOW MULTIPLE RESPONSE BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MULTIPLE] p. p. 60
CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? [DON'T READ; ALLOW MULTIPLE RESPONSE BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MULTIPLE] 1. Media advertising 2. Contacted directly by Efficiency Nova Scotia 3. Through a third party contractor or serv...

AI summary The text includes survey questions about how respondents first learned about the Home Energy Report and their level of satisfaction with it. It also asks dissatisfied respondents to provide reasons for their dissatisfaction.

Recommendations (Series R) p. p. 63
Recommendations (Series R) [ASK ALL RESPONDENTS] - R1. Do you have any recommendations that you think would help improve the Home Energy Report? PROBE: Anything else? [ DO NOT READ, ACCEPT MULTIPLE ] - 1. (Improve the appearance of the rep...

AI summary The document solicits recommendations to improve the Home Energy Report, with options focusing on enhancing appearance, content relevance, clarity, and other unspecified suggestions.

Section 138 p. p. 67
- B4. In the last 12 months, have you taken any steps to reduce your home energy use?

AI summary The document asks whether any steps have been taken in the last 12 months to reduce home energy use.

Section 140 p. p. 67
H1. Do you recall having signed up on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website to have access to an online report which compares your household's electricity usage to similar homes, illustrates energy usage patterns and provides you with energy...

AI summary The question asks if the individual has signed up on the Efficiency Nova Scotia website to access an online report that compares their household's electricity usage to similar homes and provides energy efficiency tips.

Recall Signing Up for HER 2014 p. pp. 67-68
Recall Signing Up for HER 2014 Sample Size 340 Yes 74% No 20% Don't know 7%

AI summary A 2014 survey with a sample size of 340 respondents showed that 74% signed up for the Home Energy Report (HER), 20% did not, and 7% were unsure.

H2. Thinking of this online report, in general, what have you done with it? Did you… p. p. 68
H2. Thinking of this online report, in general, what have you done with it? Did you… Done with HER 2014 Sample Size 250 Read the website content thoroughly 38% Read some of the website's content 34% Skim some of the website's content 13% G...

AI summary The text discusses user engagement with the Home Energy Report (HER) online, including how users interacted with the report and the primary reason for signing up. It includes a table showing the percentage of users who read different portions of the report and a question about the most important reason for signing up.

Section 146 p. pp. 70-71
BF3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to purchase this [energy-efficient dishwasher/energy-efficient room air conditioner]? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report...

AI summary This question asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was in their decision to purchase an energy-efficient appliance, on a scale from 0 to 10.

Section 148 p. p. 72
BW2. How likely would you have been to insulate your windows with heat-shrink film without your Home Energy Report? Without your Home Energy Report, would you have definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not insulated your window...

AI summary The question asks about the likelihood of insulating windows with heat-shrink film without the Home Energy Report, assessing the report's influence on customer behavior.

Section 150 p. p. 73
BL1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to hang your laundry to dry? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10 indica...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was in their decision to hang laundry to dry on a scale from 0 to 10.

2014 p. pp. 73-81
2014 Importance of HER in Deciding to Hang Laundry to Dry Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision 110 2.3 Base: Respondents who hung laundry to dry "Don't know/...

AI summary The text presents survey data on the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on residents' decisions to hang laundry to dry. The average influence score was 2.3, with 67% of respondents indicating they would have definitely hung laundry to dry even without the HER.

BL8b. Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many are hung to dry in the fall and winter period , after you had signed up online for your Home Energy Report? p. p. 75
BL8b. Thinking of those [ANSWER TO BL6] loads, approximately how many are hung to dry in the fall and winter period , after you had signed up online for your Home Energy Report? 2014 Loads of Clothes Washing Hung to Dry Loads done in a typ...

AI summary The question asks about the number of laundry loads hung to dry in the fall and winter after signing up for the Home Energy Report. The table shows data from 2014, comparing the number of loads hung to dry before and after the report, across different seasons and quantities.

Section 157 p. p. 77
BV3. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to wash your clothes in cold water? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report was in their decision to wash clothes in cold water, using a scale from 0 to 10.

2014 p. p. 77
2014 Importance of HER in Decision to Wash Clothes in Cold Water Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision to wash in cold water 118 1.6 Base: Respondents who was...

AI summary The text presents survey data on the influence of the Home Energy Report (HER) on consumer behavior regarding washing clothes in cold water. Respondents indicated that the HER had a moderate influence, with an average score of 1.6, and a majority (70%) would have washed clothes in cold water even without the HER.

Section 159 p. pp. 77-78
- BV6. Thinking of the [ANSWER TO BL6 OR BV5] loads of clothes washing your household does in a typical week, approximately how many were washed in cold water prior to you signing up online for your Home Energy Report? BV7. Thinking of the...

AI summary The text presents two questions related to the use of cold water for laundry loads before and after signing up for a Home Energy Report, aiming to assess behavior changes in energy consumption.

2014 p. p. 78
2014 Loads of Washing Done in Cold Water Loads done in a typical week Loads washed in cold water prior to HER Loads washed in cold water after HER Sample size 118 118 118 0 - 7% - 1-2 loads 19% 25% 25% 3-4 loads 38% 31% 34% 5-9 loads 20% 1...

AI summary The table presents data on cold water laundry loads before and after the Home Energy Report (HER) in 2014. The average number of cold water loads decreased from 4.4 to 3.7, with a slight increase in the percentage of respondents washing 3-4 loads. Sample size was 118 respondents who washed clothes in cold water.

Section 161 p. p. 78
BC1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to turn off your computer at night? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10...

AI summary The question asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was in their decision to turn off their computer at night, on a scale from 0 to 10.

Importance of HER in Decision to Turn Off Computer at Night 2014 p. p. 78
Importance of HER in Decision to Turn Off Computer at Night 2014 Sample Size Mean Score Average rating: 10= "Extremely influential", 0= "No influence at all" HER influence on decision to turn off computer at night 119 2.5 Base: Respondents...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) had a mean influence score of 2.5 on the decision to turn off computers at night, based on a sample of 119 respondents. The score ranges from 0 (no influence) to 10 (extremely influential).

Section 163 p. pp. 78-79
\ \ \ Don't know removed from calculation of mean score \ \ \ \ Due to a programming error, 15 respondents did not receive BV5. These respondents have been included as don't know responses. BC2. How likely would you have been to turn off y...

AI summary The text discusses a survey question regarding the likelihood of turning off a computer at night without the Home Energy Report. It notes that some respondents did not receive the report due to a programming error and were included as 'don't know' responses.

Likelihood of Turning off Computer Without HER 2014 (%) p. p. 79
Likelihood of Turning off Computer Without HER 2014 (%) Sample Size 121 Definitely 58% Probably 23% Probably not 15% Definitely not 4% Base: Respondents who turned off computer at night - BC3. Prior to signing up online for your Home Energ...

AI summary The data shows the likelihood of turning off a computer without a Home Energy Report (HER) in 2014, with 58% of respondents indicating they definitely turned off their computers at night. The sample size was 121, and the question relates to behavior prior to signing up for the HER.

- BC4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, how many times a week do you turn off your computer at night? p. p. 79
- BC4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, how many times a week do you turn off your computer at night? 2014 (%) Times per Week Computer was Turned Off at Night Times per week turned off computer before HER Tim...

AI summary The data shows that after signing up for the Home Energy Report (HER), participants increased the frequency of turning off their computers at night, with the average rising from 4.9 to 6.4 times per week.

Section 168 p. p. 81
BS1. How influential was your Home Energy Report on your decision to reduce your shower time? Please give your answer on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicates the Home Energy Report 'had no influence at all on your decision' and 10 indicat...

AI summary The text asks respondents to rate how influential the Home Energy Report (HER) was in their decision to reduce shower time, using a scale from 0 to 10.

- BS4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, what is your current typical shower time in minutes, approximately? p. pp. 81-82
- BS4. Now that you have signed up online for your Home Energy Report, what is your current typical shower time in minutes, approximately? 2014 (%) Typical Shower Time Shower Time before HER Shower Time after HER Sample Size 100 100 Less t...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) has influenced shower time habits, with a shift from an average of 10.0 minutes to 6.6 minutes. More respondents reported shorter showers after receiving the HER, indicating a positive impact on energy conservation behaviors.

CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? p. pp. 82-83
CS1. How did you first learn about the Home Energy Report? Sources of Awareness 2014 (%) Sample Size 250 Media advertising 26% Through the mail/Bill insert 21% Word of mouth 14% Internet (general) 6% Contacted directly by ENSC 6% ENSC webs...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (HER) was primarily learned about through media advertising (26%) and mail/bill inserts (21%). Overall satisfaction with the HER was high, with 79% (mostly and completely satisfied) expressing satisfaction, while 20% were dissatisfied or neutral.

S4. You mentioned being dissatisfied with the usefulness of the tips provided in your Home Energy Report. In your opinion, what could be done to improve this aspect? p. p. 84
S4. You mentioned being dissatisfied with the usefulness of the tips provided in your Home Energy Report. In your opinion, what could be done to improve this aspect? Suggestions to Improve Usefulness of Tips 2014 (%) Sample Size 31 Already...

AI summary Respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the usefulness of tips in the Home Energy Report, with many feeling the information was not new or specific enough. A significant portion also did not know or refused to answer. Few respondents had direct contact with Efficiency Nova Scotia's contact centre, and satisfaction with service levels was not detailed in the text.

E-6Verification Review of Program Year 2014 Evaluation Results 5 passages
Table 4: Types of Evaluation p. pp. 24-25
Table 4: Types of Evaluation TYPE OF EVALUATION PROGRAM Impact COMPONENT OR INITIATIVE Process Market Full-scale Tracked Savings Validation 1 Appliance Retirement x 2 Instant Savings x x x 3 Home Energy Assessment x 4 Green Heat x x x 5 Lo...

AI summary Table 4 outlines various types of evaluation for different programs and initiatives, including process, market, and full-scale evaluations, as well as tracked savings and validation. The table highlights which programs have been evaluated and the types of evaluations applied to them.

VII. General Recommendations p. pp. 27-28
VII. General Recommendations 1. Savings Verification Recommendation No. 1: The Savings Verification study recommends acceptance of the 2014 evaluation results for energy savings and for demand-reduction for all programs except Home Energy...

AI summary The Savings Verification study recommends accepting 2014 evaluation results for energy savings and demand reduction across programs except Home Energy Reports. Key actions include establishing a Nova Scotia TRM, developing evaluation guidelines based on New York's model, and adopting formal evaluation protocols like UMP and IPMVP for future assessments.

Savings Verification Recommendation No. 11. Run additional comparisons. p. p. 45
Savings Verification Recommendation No. 11. Run additional comparisons. The evaluator should run additional comparisons using a NSPI database rather than the program vendor's database, including prevalence of e-mail address by group to see...

AI summary The evaluator is advised to use the NSPI database for additional comparisons to detect systematic differences between groups. Despite flawed protocols, the NSUARB may tentatively accept results if they align with similar studies. Recommendation 12 suggests conditional acceptance based on prior trends and equivalence checks, while questioning the program's value due to issues.

3. Summary p. p. 48
3. Summary Home Energy Report programs, introduced in 2008, have attracted participation by many utilities. Though initially pilots, some utilities now consider them DSM programs. The Home Energy Reports program type of evaluation has the...

AI summary Home Energy Report programs, initiated in 2008, are now considered DSM programs by some utilities. While their evaluation uses scientific methods like random household allocation, reliance on the program vendor's self-conducted evaluation creates a conflict of interest, violating procurement standards. Standalone behavioral programs show lower savings than initial analyses suggest.

IX. Summary of Findings & Recommendations p. pp. 57-58
IX. Summary of Findings & Recommendations Savings Verification Finding No. 1: All but one of the 2014 Evaluations conducted by Econoler are within accepted industry frameworks. Except for the Home Energy Reports evaluation, each evaluation...

AI summary The 2014 evaluations by Econoler are largely valid except for Home Energy Reports, which lacks independent verification. Recommendations include accepting evaluation results, establishing a Nova Scotia TRM, and developing evaluation guidelines based on New York standards. Efficiency Nova Scotia is urged to improve program planning and evaluation frameworks.

E-17NSPI (Peach) RIRs to IR-1 to IR-24 1 passage
1 Request IR-1:
1 Request IR-1: 2 3 The program vendor for the Home Energy Report (Opower) received customer data from 4 NSPI. 5 6 (a) Did EfficiencyOne request that customer database or subsequent information from 7 NSPI for its own use? 8 9 (b) If so, w...

AI summary The Home Energy Report (Opower) program vendor received customer data from NSPI. EfficiencyOne requested data from NSPI to identify ineligible customers for the Home Energy Report. NSPI provided a list of accounts that did not meet eligibility criteria, including Time of Use, net metering, and non-residential rate accounts.

62745Board Decision 4 passages
3.1 Evaluation Report of 2014 DSM Programs (Econoler) p. p. 0
portfolio included seven programs which consisted of 16 components and initiatives. Econoler evaluated all 16 in addition to Codes and Standards. The series of reports were filed on February 27, 2015. [31] A revised version of the Home Ene...

AI summary Econoler evaluated Nova Scotia Power Inc.'s 2014 DSM programs, achieving 151.9 GWh energy savings and 27.1 MW peak demand savings. The report included 71 recommendations, with concerns raised about the Home Energy Report's data verification. Savings exceeded the 2014 target by 10.2%, but confidentiality issues limited data review.

3.2 Verification Report of 2014 OSM Programs (Peach) p. p. 0
Exchange; and Codes and Standards. [41] There are 20 recommendations identified in the Peach verification report. In the previous report on the 2013 DSM portfolio, 30 recommendations were presented. [42] The 2014 verification review determ...

AI summary The 2014 verification report identified 20 recommendations, noting that all but one evaluation (the HER program) met industry standards. The HER program's evaluation was criticized for lack of independence due to NSPI providing customer data to the program vendor instead of an independent evaluator, violating standards for demand-side management evaluations.

3.3.1 Findings p. p. 0
3.3.1 Findings [52] In his evidence, Dr. Peach commented on the status of the 2013 evaluation and verification recommendations: Q. Are you satisfied with the status of the 2013 verification and evaluation recommendations? A. Yes. In genera...

AI summary The Board accepts El's response to 2013 evaluation recommendations as satisfactory, directs an update on 2014 recommendations, and removes HER savings from 2014 totals due to verification concerns, noting HER's exclusion from the 2016-2018 DSM portfolio.

APPENDIX D p. p. 0
APPENDIX D

AI summary The document text provided only contains the heading 'APPENDIX D' with no substantive content. No arguments, claims, or references are present in the text.

63307Board Order 1 passage
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions p. p. 44
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan does not include a target or investment for Energy Saving Actions. ENS piloted the Home Energy Report in 2013, and it will continue...

AI summary Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan excludes Energy Saving Actions targets. The Home Energy Report pilot, though successful, is ending due to affordability concerns, with ENS prioritizing a balanced portfolio. ENS may explore alternative services for energy efficiency.

62745Board Decision 5 passages
3.1 Evaluation Report of 2014 DSM Programs (Econoler) p. p. 0
portfolio included seven programs which consisted of 16 components and initiatives. Econoler evaluated all 16 in addition to Codes and Standards. The series of reports were filed on February 27, 2015. [31] A revised version of the Home Ene...

AI summary Econoler evaluated Nova Scotia's 2014 DSM programs, achieving 151.9 GWh energy savings, exceeding the 137.8 GWh target by 10.2%. However, concerns were raised about the Home Energy Report's methodology, including data confidentiality issues and validation of adjustments. The evaluation included 71 recommendations, down from 122 in the 2013 report.

3.2 Verification Report of 2014 OSM Programs (Peach) p. p. 0
Exchange; and Codes and Standards. [41] There are 20 recommendations identified in the Peach verification report. In the previous report on the 2013 DSM portfolio, 30 recommendations were presented. [42] The 2014 verification review determ...

AI summary The 2014 OSM verification report by Peach identified 20 recommendations, noting that the HER program's evaluation failed industry standards due to lack of independent data handling. Unlike other DSM programs, HER relied on non-randomized customer data controlled by NSPI's vendor, violating evaluation integrity. Peach emphasized that independent evaluation is critical for DSM savings credibility, citing SEE Action and Universal Methods Protocols.

3.3 Status of 2013 and 2014 Verification and Evaluation Recommendations p. p. 0
3.3 Status of 2013 and 2014 Verification and Evaluation Recommendations [49] In Appendix C, attached to its application, El included Table 1 - Update on Implementation of 2013 Verification Recommendations, and Table 2 - Update on Implement...

AI summary The document outlines the status of 2013 and 2014 verification and evaluation recommendations, noting most were completed, with some deferred. EfficiencyOne confirmed reliance on 2015 evidence, though evaluation reports raised concerns about Home Energy Report savings, and verification reports rejected those results. Dr. Peach's evidence addressed these issues.

3.3.1 Findings p. p. 0
3.3.1 Findings [52] In his evidence, Dr. Peach commented on the status of the 2013 evaluation and verification recommendations: Q. Are you satisfied with the status of the 2013 verification and evaluation recommendations? A. Yes. In genera...

AI summary The Board accepts El's response to 2013 evaluation recommendations as satisfactory but removes Home Energy Report (HER) energy savings from 2014 totals due to concerns. El must update on 2014 recommendations in its 2015 report. HER is excluded from the 2016-2018 DSM portfolio.

5.0 SUMMARY OF BOARD FINDINGS p. p. 0
aving considered the history of underspending on DSM programming, the history of overachieving savings and demand targets, and as an inducement to bring greater rigor to the calculation of incentives. [142] The Board considers that the tar...

AI summary The Board approves the DSM Plan, finding it achievable within approved spending, but rejects the Quantum Agreement. It emphasizes long-term cost considerations over short-term affordability, approves aspects of the Quantum Agreement, and endorses the Consensus Agreement with referrals to the DSM Advisory Group. The TRC cost-effectiveness screening remains in place.

63292Supply Agreement EfficiencyOne and NSPI Form of Agreement Final Executed in Counterparts 1 passage
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions p. p. 54
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan does not include a target or investment for Energy Saving Actions. ENS piloted the Home Energy Report in 2013, and it will continue until early 2016....

AI summary Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan lacks Energy Saving Actions targets. The Home Energy Report pilot (2013-2016) will end due to affordability concerns, despite its energy-saving success. ENS prioritizes minimizing impact on portfolio balance and industry capacity. Behavior-based programs remain important, with ENS exploring alternatives via Enabling Strategies.

63307Board Order 1 passage
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions p. p. 44
2.4 Update on Energy Saving Actions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM Resource Plan does not include a target or investment for Energy Saving Actions. ENS piloted the Home Energy Report in 2013, and it will continue...

AI summary Efficiency Nova Scotia's 2016-2018 DSM plan lacks energy-saving action targets. The Home Energy Report pilot, successful in energy savings, will end by early 2016 due to affordability concerns, leading to reduced DSM investment. ENS plans to explore alternative strategies while emphasizing the importance of behavior-based energy efficiency.

Disclaimer: These summaries were generated by AI from the filings they describe. We take care to make them accurate, but errors are possible - and they aren't advice. Only the filings themselves are the record: if you're relying on something here, confirm it against the source documents or the Nova Scotia Energy Board's own record. Full disclaimer →