Leaders in showing families how to save big.

For 18 years RAP has been helping families help themselves through substantial energy savings.

Measure-based, all-encompassing and highly enjoyable, the Easy Savings Program helps families understand their resource usage, giving them the opportunity to pick their own savings to significantly reduce monthly utility bills.

The combination of the innovative education tool (Quick Start Guide) and the program format, coupled with the survey and incentives, forms the basis for these outcomes. It’s also an effective complement to weatherization programs and LIHEAP assistance.

Each family receives a customized kit to guide them in reducing their energy use and establishing specific savings goals. We provide ongoing management to keep your program thriving, and upon completion, our exclusive tracking and reporting tools provide comprehensive summaries and specific savings estimates.

Client-driven education programs like Easy Savings that allow participants to choose their desired measures and actions, are proven to increase both installation rates and retention. Participating households in Iowa and New Mexico report utility bill savings ranging from $100 to $500 per year!

Bottom line, Easy Savings helps families use less energy and save more money.

So give families in your community the information they need while giving yourself the peace of mind and turnkey efficiency of a proven innovator. Contact us today to start an Easy Savings Program in your community.

Leaders in turning whole-house thinking into action.

Help your customers see their homes in a whole new light, as a comprehensive system that, if upgraded properly, can provide them with exceptional energy efficiency and substantial monthly savings.

HomeWise is a proven measure-based education program, designed to engage customers in this conversation, move them through the decision-making process and provide them with specific energy-saving actions along the way.

Program components

Our comprehensive, cost-effective system puts all perspective-changing tools to work for you:

HomeWise Guide

A step-by-step road map to understanding home energy use. From inspecting windows and doors, insulation, HVAC systems, and appliances; to installing simple energy-saving measures, taking an online energy survey, getting an energy audit, and hiring a certified contractor, it’s all in here.

• Smart Strip
• Filter Alarm
• Water-flow Measuring Bag
• High-efficiency Showerhead
• Foam Pipe Wrap
• Fridge and Freezer Thermometers
• Compact Fluorescent Lamp
• Foam Weather Strip
• V-seal Weather Strip
• Outlet & Switch Sealer
• Tube of Caulk
• Faucet Aerators for Kitchen & Bath
• Home Energy Savings Guide

Methods of Distribution

Our vast expertise gives you the industry’s widest range of program delivery options:

• K–12 Schools
• Retail Outlets
• Neighborhood Outreach
• Community Events
• Direct Mail via Online
• Contractors
• Community-based Organizations

Custom Elements

The kit can also be modified with brochures or other elements based on your specific needs.

Empowering families through conservation.

It’s a simple equation: a resource unit saved equals money earned. And if there was ever a time when families could use a little extra savings, that time is now.

LivingWise is a K-12 energy efficiency program designed to promote energy and water efficiency.

This measure-based education program, has been helping sponsors ensure their customers’ resource dollars go as far as possible. LivingWise is an engaging, no-nonsense program that delivers an average yearly savings of 9,000 gallons of water, 330kWh of electricity and 40 therms of natural gas to every participating household.

To date, the LivingWise Program has been implemented in more than #### schools, in 26 different states. Sponsors, teachers and parents all love the ease of how LivingWise can fit into any educational system.

Measuring true success.

All activities and resource savings generated by LivingWise are tabulated, analyzed and delivered to the sponsor in a comprehensive Program Summary Report. This report allows you to see the effectiveness for yourself and identify areas of further opportunity.

9,000 gallons, 330kWh and 40 therms.

That’s the amount of water, electricity and natural gas saved in a year by the average participating family as a result of retrofits using provided measures. Over the life of these devices, each household can expect to save as much as 99,000 gallons of water, 3,100 kWh of electricity and 400 therms of gas.

Tap into the expertise of the education leader.

Gallon-per-gallon, no one delivers savings more efficiently. The kind of savings that wise sponsors demand. And we’ve done it for more than 18 years in ways that have literally shaped this industry.

Case in point, WaterWise, our proven and often applauded measure-based program that helps customers understand water use and the vital role conservation can play in reducing their monthly bills. This K-12 water efficiency program is an eye-opening experience that allows us to assist them in making meaningful, commonsense conservation actions that benefit everyone.

Let’s start with saving over 10,000 gallons.

That’s the average yearly savings for WaterWise participants thanks to the retrofit devices we provide. And over the 10-year life expectancy of these devices, participants can look to save more than 100,000 gallons.

As fluid as you need it to be.

WaterWise is easily customized to meet your needs. Localize it, include media materials, implement co-sponsorship opportunities, brand items with your name and logo, even create a custom-designed box.

Let the results flow.

All activities and resource savings generated by WaterWise are tabulated, analyzed, and delivered to you in a comprehensive Program Summery Report that allows you to see the effectiveness for yourself and identify areas of further opportunity.

Leaders in turning education into action.

For more than 18 years now, we’ve created learning opportunities that pay off for our sponsors with exceptional savings and efficiency.

An example is Energy Wise, our proven program designed to open students and their family’s eyes to the money-saving potential of simple, easy-to-implement conservation practices. It’s a fun and informative interaction that encourages every family member to be an active participant  in realizing an average savings of 300 kWh a year.

If you seek an inspired combination of efficiency and turnkey peace of mind, Energy Wise is your program.

Over 300 kWh saved yearly.

That’s what Energy Wise participants have the potential to realize. And over the life of our devices, each household can expect to save more than 2,300 kWhs.

Success, made to order.

Energy Wise is easily customized to meet your needs. Localize it, include media materials, implement co-sponsorship opportunities, brand items with your name and logo, even create a custom-designed box.

Powerful results.

All activities and savings generated by Energy Wise are tabulated, analyzed, and delivered to you in a comprehensive Program Summary Report that allows you to see the effectiveness for yourself and identify areas of further opportunity.

Challenge

The PPL Sustainability Report of 2009 states:

A major issue facing communities and consumers in the current economy is rising energy prices. Customers of PPL Electric Utilities have been shielded from those increases by a rate cap on generation charges that has been in effect since the late 1990s. Those price controls expire Dec. 31, 2009… The increase will be particularly hard on customers with limited incomes. PPL Electric Utilities is concerned about the ability of those customers to pay higher prices.

PPL Electric Utilities wanted to develop a community-based program to increase their energy conservation efforts and educate customers to be “aware of how and when they use energy, and point out ways to save.” The goal was to ease the transition of rate increases by providing the local network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) with the tools to help low income customers lower their utility bills.

Compounding their concerns regarding the rate increase, PPL Electric Utilities is also required by Pennsylvania state law to reduce electric use by 3 percent and peak demand by 4.5 percent by May 31st of 2013. They plan to achieve this goal by implementing multiple product install and educational energy efficiency programs throughout their service territory in late 2009 and early 2010.

To launch the community-based program with the help of local CAAs, PPL Electric Utilities implemented the customizable Easy Savings Program by Resource Action Programs (RAP). The built in tracking and reporting methods of the Easy Savings Program would allow the program managers to easily provide PPL Electric Utilities with the reporting and tracking data needed to demonstrate compliance with the state conservation efforts.

Solution

PPL Electric Utilities found the Easy Savings Program to be a simple turnkey service giving them the flexibility, results and data feedback they were looking for. RAP was able to customize the Easy Savings Program to capitalize on the ability of the local CAAs to pre-qualify low income customers and distribute the program to target PPL Electric Utilities customers.

RAP and PPL Electric Utilities developed an “Easy Savings Kit” with measures and educational materials suited to the specific needs of the local customers. The kit included easy to install measures, a Quick Start Guide with educational information and a Savings Survey for the customer to fill out and return after completing the program.

RAP developed a grass roots marketing plan to launch the PPL Electric Utilities program through the CAAs using posters throughout their offices and community centers, employee training sessions, advertising on the individual CAA web sites, family friendly workshops and word of mouth.

The program was incorporated into the E-PowerWise branding already used throughout PPL Electric Utilities marketing to relate the program to a familiar face. Brochures with inset application forms were used by the CAAs to collect preliminary data about the customer and pre-qualify them for the program. Once the brochure was completed with assistance from an agency representative, they received a kit right then and there. Customers were highly encouraged to go home and implement the money saving program immediately.

RAP developed a grass roots marketing plan to launch the PPL Electric Utilities program through the CAAs using posters throughout their offices and community centers, employee training sessions, advertising on the individual CAA web sites, family friendly workshops and word of mouth.

The educational materials related the changes they would implement in the home to their potential monetary benefit. The Easy Savings Kit offered savings up to $400 per year by installing the different measures provided in the kit. This empowered the customer to make their own choices and choose the modifications that were most comfortable and convenient for them.

After implementing the program at home customers were then incentivized to complete and return the Savings Survey for a chance to win $100 in a monthly drawing. All shipping and postage was included for convenience of the customer.

Result

Distributing the kits through the CAAs took longer than other methods RAP typically uses, mainly because of contract agreements with the CAAs. RAP often utilizes direct mail methods for fast and efficient distribution to target utility customers. However, RAP did reach their goal in fulfilling the funding for the program within the contract time line. The CAAs enrolled 1,946 PPL Electric Utilities customers in the program.

Data was collected from the customers at two different times throughout the program. An initial income qualification and home audit survey was conducted at the agency before the customer received the kit. Examples of these questions are illustrated on the right. This preliminary qualification and home audit data is important because it provides a demographic profile of the home, qualifies the customer for the program and is also used for installation calculations and reporting.

In conclusion there were many significant factors that led to the success of this program. The personal one-on-one setting and the customers’ ability to immediately receive the kits after a brief initial consultation were key contributing factors.

Upon completion of the program the customer was then asked to complete the Savings Survey asking them to provide information about the program and the measures they installed. Of the participants, 22% returned the Savings Survey.

The grass roots approach and prize drawing proved successful in incentivizing participants to provide the results needed for reporting.

In conclusion there were many significant factors that led to the success of this program. The personal one-on-one setting and the customers’ ability to immediately receive the kits after a brief initial consultation were key contributing factors.

The incentive was powerful enough to collect the data needed for reporting and the survey responses reflected positive install rates of the measures. 85% of participants indicated they learned a lot from the program, 14% learned a little and only 0.5% indicated they learned nothing.

Although the program was a success for PPL Electric Utilities and RAP, in reviewing the process there were definite challenges along the way. The application process was reported to be difficult for the CAAs to complete as customers walking through the door would not typically know their PPL Electric Utilities account number, which was required. As a result, the application was often not completed until after the customer’s next visit to the CAA when they could return with their account number. This problem could be solved by advertising that an account number was needed to participate so the customer could be prepared with their account number or allowing the CAAs a secure digital method to search for one’s account number by name and address.

Another challenge was relying on the CAAs to complete the application with the customer, distribute the kits, record the number on each kit, and hold customer workshops. CAAs typically implement numerous community programs and are extremely busy. RAP did provide a online tutorial for the CAAs with the option to call in for a question/answer period, but many were occupied and not able to t it into their busy schedule. An online tutorial that is available at any time could increase the quality and success of the training effort.

PPL Electric Utilities is proud to call Resource Action Programs a partner in the creation and delivery of this E-PowerWise Program. Resource Action Programs is a leader in understanding the needs of customers in this particular segment and we depend on their years of experience and effective management in delivering the E-PowerWise Program. Sharon Fraser, Customer Program Specialist, PPL Electric Utilities

Challenge:

The energy burden for low income residents in Oklahoma is significant and has become more apparent with the drop in the economy. To address the growing challenges the Oklahoma Department of Housing Services (OKDHS) sought out to provide energy saving products and useful energy conservation education for the consumer. The goal was to enable them to make knowledgeable behavioral and purchasing decisions in the future.

To coincide with the OKDHS mission to “help individuals and families in need help themselves lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives,” OKDHS strived to create a program to reach out to their residents in a welcoming manor and help them quickly lower their utility bills. In the study of community based programs many of them presented challenges such as:

OKDHS found the customizable Easy Savings Program by Resource Action Programs (RAP) ideal for launching a community based program that quickly reached the target customers, minimized the burden associated with implementing the measures, and provided adequate focus on education while providing tangible results and the data to support it.

Solution:

OKDHS found the Easy Savings Program to be a simple turnkey service giving them the flexibility, results and data feedback they were looking for. In reviewing the list of challenges, RAP was able to customize the Easy Savings Program to OKDHS’s exact needs.

RAP developed a marketing plan to launch “opt-in” direct mailers to prequalified OKDHS low-income residents. The educational materials related the changes they would implement in the home to their potential monetary benefit.

RAP and OKDHS developed an “Easy Savings Kit” with measures and educational materials suited to the specific needs of the local residents. The kit included easy to install measures, a Quick Start Guide with educational information and a Savings Survey for the resident to Fill out and return after completing the program.

RAP developed a marketing plan to launch “opt-in” direct mailers to prequalified OKDHS low-income residents. The educational materials related the changes they would implement in the home to their potential monetary benefit. The Easy Savings Kit offered savings up to $400 per year by installing the different measures provided in the kit. This empowered the resident to make their own choices and choose the modifications that were most comfortable and convenient for them.

Residents either returned the completed mailer to enroll, or they called to enroll over the phone to receive their OKDHS Easy Savings Kit. All shipping and postage was free to the participant. Because of the pre-qualification step, RAP had a list of residents who were eligible to receive the program; residents who were not on the list were referred back to OKDHS for qualification. Residents received their OKDHS Easy Savings Kit within 4-6 weeks of enrolling and were able to quickly implement the program to begin saving on their utility bills.

Result:

An overwhelming number of participants enrolled after receiving the first mailer. RAP was budgeted to deliver three separate mailers to draw attention to residents, but fulfilled the budgetary constraints of the program after just one mailing. Out of 314,135 mailers sent out, 74,201 residents enrolled and received the OKDHS Easy Savings Program. 24% Enrollment after receiving only one mailer informing them of the program is considered very successful. Data was collected from the residents at two different times throughout the program. A short six-question home audit survey was collected at the time of enrollment either by mail or over the phone. These questions are illustrated in the PDF File. This preliminary home audit data is important because it provides a demographic profile of the home and is also used as a baseline for installation calculations and reporting.

Upon completion of the program the participant was asked to complete the Savings Survey to provide information about the program and the measures they installed. 11% of the participants returned the Savings Survey. No incentive was given to the participant to return the survey, only that the information was important to reinforce the success of the program so OKDHS could continue to conduct similar efficiency programs in the future.

According to the Savings Survey 78% of participants indicated they learned a lot from the program, 21% learned a little and only 1% indicated they learned nothing.

In conclusion there were many significant program features that led to the success of the program; residents received the program in a timely manner, had no initial up-front costs to participate, measures came with easy instructions for them to install themselves, residents were able to learn how the measures helped them save on utilities and data was collected for OKDHS to show the result of the program. According to the Savings Survey 78% of participants indicated they learned a lot from the program, 21% learned a little and only 1% indicated they learned nothing.

The program was a success for OKDHS and RAP. A post program evaluation identified potential initiatives that could have further improved the performance and results of the program. For instance, RAP typically offers a web site enrollment option. Although it was not needed to reach the enrollment goal, adding a web site enrollment option may have proven beneficial since 56% of the participants indicated they do own a computer. Also many participants told their friends and family about the program who called and wanted to enroll. Because these potential participants were not always on the pre-qualified list, the delay and inconvenience of applying for qualification may have deterred them. A process for quickly qualifying more residents would have further benefited the enrollment rate.

At the core of RAP’s successful program design is a comprehensive marketing, education and outreach (ME&O) plan specifically designed to reach the program’s target audience.

Our K-12 energy efficiency school programs use time-tested marketing and outreach tactics to reach school administrators, parents and teachers.  These include in-school teacher and parent presentations, direct mail, email, in-classroom activities and earned media. Direct-to-customer programs use direct mail, neighborhood outreach, community based organizations, email, workshops and webinars.

Each ME&O plan is developed to meet the specific needs of the sponsor. The programs are designed to seamlessly integrate into sponsor’s existing branding and marketing platform.  Custom designed materials and kits are a key element of the program and offer sponsors the ability to enhance their corporate brand and image through a well-designed and customer facing program.

Our award-winning programs can deliver a positive community and public relations message to customers and enhance your image by educating customers how to save resources and money.

Through the years, we have worked with sponsors to design programs to reach education, outreach and savings goals to a diverse group of customers. Our programs have utilized industry best practices and leading-edge design platforms to reach participation and savings goals.
Let RAP’s team of experienced program consultants and project managers consult to develop a portfolio of result-driven programs. Together, we can inspire change one home at a time. Click here to request information or call 888-438-9473.