The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program launched a smart thermostat offer to help its customers who need it most. The Smart Savers Initiative reaches residential customers in qualified communities, and it includes smart thermostat options including ecobee and Google Nest. Not only is the offer providing smart home options to Ameren Illinois customers, but it also engages diverse Program partners, such as electrical and HVAC technicians, who help promote and install smart thermostats. The Smart Savers Initiative has allowed these partners to grow their businesses and offer their customers greater energy-saving options. In its third year of implementation, the Ameren Illinois Smart Savers Initiative has served thousands of customers and has a growing network of Program Allies in local communities. Learn more about the Ameren Illinois Smart Savers Initiative here. 

Through much hard work and cooperation between the Arkansas Public Service CommissioNo, the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office and the individual Investor Owned Utilities, Act 1102 was finalized in 2019 to address the needs of low-income, LIHEAP-eligible residents in the state. To comply with this order, SWEPCO launched its Income Qualified Weatherization Pathway (IQW) in the spring of 2020 as a pilot program with a goal of serving 50 homes. The homes for the pilot program were identified through SWEPCO’s close relationship with the Fayetteville Housing Authority. The Pathway relies heavily upon the same measures prescribed by the State’s Consistent Weatherization Approach.

SWEPCO also offers additional ASHRAE 62.2 training and other health and safety measures exclusive to the Pathway contractor. IQW has evolved into a great program for SWEPCO Arkansas customers even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Going the extra mile through the IQW Pathway will have huge impacts on not only the customers’ energy costs, but also their home comfort level”, said SWEPCO Energy Efficiency & Consumer Program Coordinator Kent Tomlinson. “It’s a great feeling to have that kind of positive, tangible effect in our customers’ lives. NECS is going above and beyond, and we’re thrilled with the results of the pilot program to date. We look forward to it gaining traction and building momentum in the future.”

Best Buy Teen Tech Centers are safe, after-school spaces that provide opportunities for teens to learn new tech skills, stay on track with school, gain exposure to new career possibilities and benefit from positive adult and peer relationships. The program helps teens from disinvested communities prepare for tech careers through hands-on experience with state-of-the-art-technology, much of which is ENERGY STAR certified.
 
Sustainable tech matters, especially for communities hit particularly hard by the health and economic effects of COVID-19. When most Teen Tech Center sites were required to close this spring, Teen Tech Center staff understood that many of the teens who typically visited the centers would still need that source of learning, safety, and connection in an otherwise isolating environment. Through partnerships with technology vendors and a shift in the ways programming was delivered, staff were able to ensure teens remain connected and engaged despite the pandemic. 

Bradford White Corporation provided support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA in response to the coronavirus pandemic, teaming up with several other contractors and manufacturers. Bradford White supplied much needed materials in record time to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of their effort to rapidly build alternative care facilities and alleviate strain on local hospitals. Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center was planned to care for up to 3,000 people with mild or moderate coronavirus infection, freeing up hospital beds for more severe cases. The first treatment area, with 500 beds, needed water heaters and a storage tank for the staff showers and another heater for showers that met Americans with Disabilities Act standards—all within four days. The Bradford White water heaters were delivered within 17 hours of ordering. Bradford White supplied water heaters for several major field hospitals, including Javits Convention Center in New York City and McCormick Place, according to Mark Taylor, executive vice president and general manager at Bradford White. “In Michigan, where our water heaters are produced, we reached out to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and offered to provide products for any temporary field hospitals in the state of Michigan that need water heaters to help address the pandemic. Michigan is one of the states hit particularly hard by COVID-19,” Taylor noted.

Minnesota CenterPoint Energy’s REBUILD Program is offering triple rebates, no-cost energy evaluation services and additional incentives to help its business customers recover and rebuild from widespread property damage that occurred during civil unrest this year in the Twin Cities area. This new program reflects the natural gas utility’s dedication to supporting the local community at a challenging time while helping its customers save money and maximize efficiency, both now and in the future.

Because they make up the largest category of affected businesses, the REBUILD program is of particular benefit to restaurants and other foodservice enterprises that are looking to rebuild with energy-efficient natural gas products. Several ENERGY STAR commercial food service products are eligible for this offer, including ENERGY STAR certified ovens, dishwashers, fryers, griddles and steamers! Other businesses can also benefit from triple rebates on additional ENERGY STAR certified natural gas equipment.

To see a full list of triple rebate offerings and get started, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/REBUILD and complete the enrollment form by December 31, 2020. Eligible equipment for rebates must be purchased and installed between June 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021, and rebate applications must be submitted by June 30, 2021.

Central Hudson recognizes the value of including the ENERGY STAR logo and messaging in its marketing mix since the ENERGY STAR brand is a trusted trademark in energy efficient products and programs. By including the ENERGY STAR partner logo in marketing tactics and participating in national ENERGY STAR promotions, Central Hudson has been able to increase awareness of its programs and ensure customers that they are choosing the highest quality products and making cost-effective decisions for their families.

In 2020, Central Hudson focused on engagement with underserved and hard-to-reach families to help them save energy through The Community Lighting Program. The program partners with local youth organization chapters and has continued to provide ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs to Central Hudson’s, qualified, limited income families at no cost since 2016. More than 25,000 ENERGY STAR LED bulbs have been distributed through agencies supported by these local chapters and The Community Lighting Program. Over 20 organizations have joined Central Hudson to distribute bulbs to low-to moderate-income community members. The Company recently secured an additional 30,000 LED bulbs to distribute over the next 5 years.

The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program® provides energy-saving opportunities through our FREE in-home and NEW virtual energy assessments. Included with the assessment, homeowners will receive free energy-saving products, including select ENERGY STAR certified LEDs, programmable thermostats, showerheads, and more as well as personalized savings recommendations. Smart thermostats and select ENERGY STAR certified LEDs are also available for homeowners to purchase at a discount.

Con Edison is heavily invested in local communities to make energy efficiency attainable for all of New York City. Its partnerships with organizations like local New York City food banks help make energy-efficient products more affordable for low-to-moderate-income (LMI) families. This year, however, the food bank had to shift priorities to more basic needs due to the global pandemic and astronomical unemployment rates straining all five boroughs. Con Edison knew the importance of energy-efficient solutions had never been greater and worked directly with individual food bank pantries to supply ENERGY STAR®-certified LED light bulbs to LMI communities through an online form powered by Greenlite.

Within 20 minutes, the LED light bulb packs were completely sold out—highlighting the increased demand for energy efficiency throughout New York City. In the coming months, Con Edison will continue to find ways to help its customers save energy and work towards NYC’s cleaner energy future. Learn more about Con Edison’s commitment to clean energy and the benefits of ENERGY STAR-certified LED light bulbs.

As the pandemic hit the doorsteps in Michigan and as people stayed safe at home, Consumers Energy saw an energy rise in residential homes by 20% or more in some areas. With a continuous focus on serving the community, which includes low- and medium-income groups, Consumers Energy wanted to take action as the hot summer months were approaching. Along with Uplight and Google, Consumers Energy dreamed up the idea of giving away up to 100,000 Google nest smart thermostats – a powerful energy savings device Consumers knew it could get into the hands of all customers in a short period of time.
 
With the power of the smart thermostat technology, customers are empowered to manage their energy use and families can keep utility bills down and save money, all while protecting the environment and moving toward a cleaner energy future. Nearly 47,00 homes – with about 10% of that number being representative of a low-income or senior residence – received a free Google nest smart thermostat. Consumers Energy provided customers without Wi-Fi or central, both of which are needed to install a smart thermostat, with nearly 4,000 energy efficiency kits complete with LED bulbs and nightlights.

Cooper Lighting Solutions, recognized as ENERGY STAR ‘Partner of the Year’ for six consecutive years by EPA is proud to support ENERGY STAR Day on October 27, 2020.  Even during Covid-19 challenging times, Cooper Lighting Solutions has worked with partners to supply HALO ENERGY STAR qualified LED retrofit kits and LED fixtures to millions of homes. Energy savings achieved by HALO ENERGY STAR qualified products provided during 2020 exceed 1,140 GWh annually, saving consumers an estimated $114 million each year in energy bills.

DTE’s Energy Efficiency Assistance program, in combination with its Health and Safety program, has provided the pathway to help Nancy DeLuna, a resident of Southwest Detroit in Michigan, save her home from foreclosure, fix a leaking roof, and reduce a very expensive heating bill to an inefficient furnace. In 2019, she approached a local nonprofit specializing in Housing Assistance services in Michigan, and together they reclaimed the home from tax foreclosure. After securing the tax status of the home, the nonprofit partner provided access to home repairs. While replacing the roof was rather straight forward, the furnace was not. An original fixture of the home, the 1926 Ideal Furnace Co Gravity Furnace was too large to carry up the stairs and contained asbestos. DTE and the housing partner worked together to abate the asbestos, as well as install two high-efficiency furnaces and update the duct work.

Nancy DeLuna has a brand-new roof, high efficiency furnaces, hot water tank, and refrigerator. Her family home is safe from tax foreclosure and the harsh weather of the upcoming winter months. Moreover, these repairs will reduce the environmental footprint and the utility bill for Nancy DeLuna. 

ecobee knows that protecting our planet and helping communities is not only a choice, it’s our responsibility. That’s why, whether it’s donating time, data, or technology, ecobee is committed to doing our part to ensure a brighter future for all. The ecobee Energy team works with utilities across North America to support income eligible customers with access to smart technology to improve their comfort and increase their home’s energy efficiency. Since 2018, our Income Qualified (IQ) program has distributed over 30,000 smart thermostats to improve comfort at home.

We also partner with local housing organizations, cities, and NGOs to find effective ways to put our technology to work in the communities where it is needed most.  ecobee believes our technology should be accessible to everyone so that we can continue to improve everyday life, while creating a more sustainable world.

El Paso Electric (EPE) distributed a total of 205,534 ENERGY STAR LED bulbs at various locations in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2019. Free LED Bulb Giveaway events were held at EPE Customer Payment Centers in Anthony, Las Cruces, and Sunland Park, New Mexico, at local food pantries, and in conjunction with the New Mexico State University at several athletic and school events. EPE team members from the Energy Efficiency Department greeted customers and educated them on the value of replacing their incandescent bulbs at home to ENERGY STAR LED bulbs. Customers learned how a simple change of four bulbs could potentially help a homeowner see a savings on their electric bill, the longevity of LEDs is approximately 25 times more than incandescent lights with the same light output, and there is a reduction in the heat they emit compared to other bulbs. EPE hopes that these bulb giveaways will help customers make energy efficient decisions in future investments in their home.

Efficiency Maine partners with Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) administrators to offer a special initiative track to low-income Mainers who presently use an electric resistance water tank and who pay their own electric bills. Owners or renters in these programs who have unfinished basement spaces that can accommodate a heat pump water heater can receive a fully installed unit at no charge. Tens of thousands of Mainers own heat pump water heaters. They’re popular because they produce lots of hot water, dehumidify, and can save more than $3,000 over their 10-year life span.

Seeking to ease the energy burden of hardworking, low-income Delawareans, and improve their quality of life, the three affordable housing organization affiliates will utilize their network to make outreach to Delmarva Power customers for the purpose of offering a refrigerator replacement program. This statewide collaboration will replace a total of 500 inefficient refrigerators with ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators. It is anticipated that this will result in a savings of approximately 432,875 kWh over the 18-month grant period. Thus, providing an average of $127 in yearly savings for qualified, low-income Delmarva customers. 

Energy Trust of Oregon is supporting a limited-time discount on select qualifying ENERGY STAR certified Heat Pump Water Heaters available to Oregon customers of Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power. Find out more at www.EnergyTrust.org/myhome. Energy Trust also believes every home should have the chance to benefit from greater energy efficiency. That’s why Energy Trust is working with community-based organizations  to bring no-cost offers to income-qualified households through its Water Heater Replacement offer and support for the State of Oregon’s Community Solar Program. No matter your budget, Energy Trust is here to help you improve your home and lower your energy costs.

Entergy Solutions supports community resiliency with the High Performance Homes Program. East Texas has seen record amounts of rain from intense storms over the last few years. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey dumped 60 inches of water in the Beaumont-Port Arthur-Orange and greater Houston areas, causing $125 billion in damage. Two years later, Tropical Storm Imelda unleashed another 40 inches. Today the region is recovering from Hurricane Laura which just weeks ago caused more widespread power outages and flooding. For homeowners in Houston’s many low-lying areas, these events often mean heartbreak and devastation. Entergy Texas cares about the people in the territory it serves. When storms hit, Entergy Texas employees are on the frontlines of disaster recovery.  But we don’t stop at restoring power in the aftermath of storms. We also work with new home builders who are re-building storm-damaged homes that offer greater comfort and operational cost savings to aid recovery in the long term. Our High-Performance Homes Program is proud to count among its participants, homebuilders working with state and local programs that reconstruct flood damaged homes for income-qualified Texans. The program helps to buy down the cost of ENERGY STAR certified homes by offering incentives to builders for construction practices that are more resilient and efficient than conventional homes. 

In response to the unprecedented events of 2020, Entergy Arkansas saw an opportunity to donate energy saving products to those most in need of assistance.  Entergy Arkansas, through their Point of Purchase Solutions program, will provide energy saving products to families across the state this fall. To achieve this, Entergy Arkansas has partnered with the largest food bank and hunger relief organization in the state, to distribute advanced power strips and LED bulbs to partnering food pantries across the state. The power strips were distributed in September, just in time for virtual back to school, with the bulbs to follow in October, to coincide with daylight savings. Entergy Arkansas has also built upon an existing partnership with a manufacturer to facilitate the ordering and delivery of thousands of kits containing advanced power strips and LED bulbs to qualifying non-profit organizations across the state.  Energy saving products will be provided free of charge to customers receiving services provided by the non-profit.

EVBox and PG&E partnered to install over 200 EV charging stations in 20 disadvantaged communities (DAC) as part of a program supporting the improvement of local air quality in California's Central Valley (Fresno, Clovis, Bakersfield and outlying areas). In addition to ensuring the efficient use of these locations' electricity by being ENERGY STAR certified, EVBox’s BusinessLine charging stations help accelerate EV adoption by making it more convenient for drivers to charge, either at home or at the workplace. The pilot project showed that not only can ENERGY STAR products reduce energy waste, but also support clean transportation alternatives, thereby further reducing greenhouse gases in low air quality areas  and making a truly a win-win solution for all stakeholders.

As a proud and supportive ENERGY STAR® partner, GE Lighting, a Savant company will be providing energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR bulbs to help families in need throughout Northeast, Ohio. Thanks to a substantial donation made to a local food bank, this donation of 12,000 LED light bulbs will help individuals save money on their electric bills and improve the lighting in their homes. According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting, last 15 times longer, and save more than $50 in electricity bills over their lifetime. This donation is especially timely as the end of Daylight Savings is right around the corner with longer nights starting (Nov 1st) and as families start preparing for the holidays. The participating food bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio having served more than 350,000 people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties in 2019. GE Lighting, a Savant company is grateful for the work this are food bank does to help make Cleveland a better place to live!

Earlier this year, Georgia Power delivered packages containing energy-saving solutions and household items to approximately 2000 customers’ homes. The Georgia Power Energy Efficiency team partnered with Target and Shipt to provide participants enrolled in the Senior Citizen Discount program with free care packages to help ease hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this partnership, the team shopped for and delivered packages that contained a mix of food staples, household essentials and light bulbs. Energy efficiency tips were also mailed to recipients.

In Q4 of 2020, Georgia Power's Residential Specialty Lighting Program will be working with six Georgia-based food banks around the state to distribute 37,500 four-packs of ENERGY STAR LEDs, Program Educational Flyers, and Reusable Grocery Bags at no charge to the recipient. This effort will aid in the distribution of program materials and produce to customers in need.  The distribution of these 150,000 LED bulbs will help the recipients save on their energy bill and usage, as LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 15-25 times longer. The Program is also working with 13 local ReStore locations around the state of Georgia to provide low-cost ENERGY STAR LEDs to customers. They are piloting the use of Light Meter educational displays in some ReStore locations to help educate both ReStore associates and customers on LED lighting technology and the savings provided in contrast with traditional incandescent bulbs.

As part of its commitment to supporting customers through the COVID-19 Crisis, Greenlite has expanded the breadth of its Food Bank Program Portfolio and is currently the leading supplier providing over 12M ENERGY STAR Products to food bank patrons in 2020. Greenlite’s Food Bank Partnerships include the largest utilities in the country, Con Edison, Commonwealth Edison, Xcel Energy, First Energy, Entergy Corporation, Focus on Energy, Indiana Power and Light (and more), as well as the two largest Food Banks in the country with a reach of over 5,000 agencies. 

Utility Food Bank Programs showcase one of the many ways that Greenlite, in partnership with ENERGY STAR, have been working together to support struggling communities by helping consumers save energy and money, especially during these unprecedented times. Greenlite has also been able to provide outreach support, food drive participation, social media campaign development, pantry outreach development, and energy efficiency consumer education, through the expansion of their Food Bank Programs this year. Greenlite looks forward to continuing to support communities around the country by helping them save energy with ENERGY STAR.

Hawaii Energy’s mission is to empower island families and businesses to make smarter energy choices to reduce energy consumption, save money, and pursue a 100% clean energy future. Through encouraging and rewarding smart energy decisions, Hawaii Energy has helped Hawaii save more than $1 billion in energy costs. Recognizing the obstacles that many businesses are facing during the pandemic, Hawaii Energy launched an Energy Relief Grant program to provide $1 million in financial assistance to local businesses in need, emphasizing the importance of reducing energy usage and costs as a critical component of Hawaii’s economic recovery. As the pandemic impacts residents and businesses’ abilities to make smart energy choices, Hawaii Energy remains committed to making energy saving appliances and tools more accessible to all.

For years, Vulcan has been a proud supporter of the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF). Our passion for better nutrition for children is unparalleled. The annual SNF equipment grant is available to School Nutrition Association members and was created to provide new equipment to schools in need. Applicants were encouraged to submit a video along with their completed application to paint a better picture of why they deserved to win the grant.

The 2020 winner, Carla Tuttle – Foodservice Director for Milford Public School District, highlighted the daily challenges staff in one of their local high schools faced working with outdated equipment. Tuttle knew that the 45-year old convection ovens were in desperate need of replacement and that if she woNo, it would significantly improve the functionality and efficiency of her school kitchen.

In the case of the Vulcan equipment, we replaced four double-stacked convection ovens with new ENERGY STAR® certified Vulcan convection ovens. We are so excited to help this school make cooking easier, but also to be apart of helping them conserve energy and save money while doing it. Tuttle explained that the update to ovens would help ensure that all students would have access to nutritious and well-prepared food.

L’Image Home Products has been promoting ENERGY STAR certified lighting and luminaires for $1.00 at 3000 Dollar Tree and Family Dollar locations for a few years now in celebration of ENERGY STAR Day and every day. These promotions are taking place thanks to collaborative partnership agreements with local utilities. In-store displays feature messaging from the ENERGY STAR Light the Moment campaign including the benefits of saving energy, saving money, and protecting the planet. Products include A19, specialty bulbs, and portable light fixtures. Thanks to these initiatives, consumers are provided several ENERGY STAR lighting options, all for the promotional retail price of one dollar in underserved and low-income communities.

During the pandemic, LG undertook significant measures to keep their workers employed while protecting their health and safety at the LG home appliance manufacturing plant in Clarksville, Tennessee. In fact, LG was able to increase production in response to this year’s un-precedented demand for ENERGY STAR washing machines and reached a milestone of 1 million ENERGY STAR certified washing machines produced at the plant. This milestone is a tribute to the hundreds of men and women producing LG’s washers in the United States. According to LG Electronics North America CEO Thomas Yoon. “In addition to commemorating LG’s top-rated energy efficient washing machines for American consumers, this milestone highlights LG’s proud role as a strong contributor to the local economy and leading employer in America."

To commemorate ENERGY STAR Day 2020, Lowe’s and LG Electronics USA partnered once again for “Rebuild-A-Block Charlotte” to assist families in the Druid Hills neighborhood of Charlotte, NC with home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades – thanks to LG ENERGY STAR certified LG appliances, including ENERGY STAR Most Efficient refrigerators, washers and dryers. This is the second year that Lowe’s and LG have worked together to bring the benefits of energy savings to those that need it the most. Last year was marked by a Druid Hills matriarch who was so grateful, she cried tears of joy because at 88 years of age, she had never had a dryer in her life.

As a way to assist Massachusetts customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, National Grid, Eversource, Unitil and Cape Light Compact (the Electric Sponsors of Mass Save) offered a special, limited-time enhanced incentive for refrigerator and freezer recycling. From May through October, the incentive was increased from $75 to $125. Demand has been high; participants have recycled 10,914 refrigerators and 1,166 freezers year to date in 2020, resulting in an estimated reduction of 11,515 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. An estimated 1.2 million pounds of ferrous materials have been properly recycled instead of ending up in a landfill.  Vendor, ARCA, has been able to meet customer needs by providing both no-contact and in-home pick-ups depending on customer preference. A customer provided the following feedback on their experience, “On time, friendly, professional…and I get paid for recycling my refrigerator and freezer!  Doesn’t get much better.”

The Electric Sponsors of Mass Save also have a program in place to provide ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs to customers at food banks and food pantries.  When customers come in to collect food, they are allowed to take two bulbs. So far in 2020, over 51,000 bulbs have been distributed through this program and over 25,000 families have participated.

MaxLite ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs are being delivered to Massachusetts communities hardest hit by COVID-19 as part of a utility-sponsored program that distributes energy efficient lighting through food pantries. More than 21,400 MaxLite 9-watt ENERGY STAR certified A-line bulbs are being included in meal kits distributed at 45 food pantries in communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, Chelsea, New Bedford, Framingham, and Pittsfield. The distribution is part of a yearlong initiative that will see 240,000 ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs delivered to Massachusetts and Rhode Island food pantries on behalf of regional utilities that are part of Mass Save and National Grid Rhode Island energy efficiency programs. In addition to meeting the immediate need for household essentials, the bulbs will lower electricity bills for recipients who are working or attending school at home. The bulbs are arriving to regional pantries in a 26’ trailer donated for use by Mertz Racing, a stock car racing team that competes in Tour-type modified events throughout New England. 

MaxLite also donated 500 ENERGY STAR certified LED A-line bulbs to a New Jersey affordable housing organization. MaxLite has been a national partner of the organization since 2013, donating more than $3 million in lighting products to help create sustainable and affordable housing solutions in the U.S.

Last December NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso kicked off a campaign to bring energy efficiency measures to low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents in New Jersey by distributing money-saving LED lightbulbs to local food pantries and social services agencies. The program expands on the LED lighting program offered by New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, by providing hundreds of thousands of free efficient light bulbs to clients of New Jersey food banks and other selected agencies that serve those in need.

PECO’s Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP) launched a new, Free Energy Savings Kit in February 2020, offering low-income customers a variety of energy efficient products to self-install and save energy and money. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the health and safety of PECO customers and employees, on March 13th PECO suspended all program activity for the LEEP primary program to offer an in-home Free Energy Checkup. In adapting to the “new normal” of social distancing, based on the early success of the kit promotion, PECO shifted to preparing and deploying the Free Energy Kit as the primary program offer to help low-income customers during the pandemic.  In addition, the kit composition changed from standard LEDs to specialty LEDs on June 1 following PUC mandates.

In the face of unprecedented public health and safety challenges due to COVID-19, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Atlantic City Electric companies developed a new, no-cost program to help customers throughout the Eastern Seaboard save energy and money while staying safe. The utility companies have offered in-home consultations with an Energy Analyst for several years, but quickly shifted gears to create a virtual option in order to help support customers—especially those who may be experiencing financial strain—during the global pandemic.

The new Virtual Home Energy Check-up Program is provided as part of customers’ existing service and enables customers to work with an Energy Analyst via phone or video chat. The Energy Analyst helps the customer identify specific items that use energy, like their thermostat, lighting, and more, and then guides them through how to make easy changes to improve their home’s efficiency. Afterward, customers get a no-cost kit in the mail that includes ENERGY STAR® certified products, like LED bulbs, faucet aerators, and a smart power strip—so they can start saving without having to leave home.

To learn more, visit: pepco.com/QuickHome, delmarva.com/QuickHome, or atlanticcityelectric.com/QuickHome 

Delivering safe, reliable power to our customers will always be the top priority of PPL. But our commitment to our customers goes beyond keeping the lights on. As challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have grown, PPL has expanded the programs and payment plans available to all our customers.  We waived late payment charges and suspended all service cuts. In addition, our OnTrack program offers a lower, fixed monthly bill and debt forgiveness. The PPL Foundation made a $500,000 contribution to our Operation HELP program, which provides grants to income-eligible customers to help pay their energy bills, and we expanded eligibility for the program itself.  Additionally, we offered free shipping on energy efficiency products purchased on the PPL Online Marketplace. We heavily promoted all our payment assistance programs and options, including budget billing, payment arrangements, and the federal LIHEAP assistance program through a number of channels to reach our customers.Getting help with electric bills means peace of mind in uncertain times. 

Testimonials: “Preston was amazing in every aspect and shed some good advice on how to save money and energy! Thanks again Preston!” “Thank you for making an effort on helping people like me save money during such a hard time...”

At Samsung, we take pride in being an innovative technology company and a leader in manufacturing energy efficient products. One of our goals is to educate consumers and provide insights into ENERGY STAR development efforts that enable the program to deliver more savings to consumers. Given the dramatic impact of COVID-19 across the country, we are proud to have been able to continue two of our flagship community-oriented programs in 2020, focused on youth education and sustainability; Climate Superstars in partnership with both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a national education organization, uses a fun learning platform to spread awareness among students on the importance of the ENERGY STAR program, as well as Solve for Tomorrow, our nationwide program designed to boost interest and proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which challenges public school teachers and students to apply STEM to help improve their local community.  We have been impressed with the resilience of youth in these challenging times.  Moreover, we continue to listen, learn and take action to foster an inclusive workplace where people feel respected and valued.  We are a proud ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award winner, and we look forward to a continued partnership with the EPA for years to come.

Sensi Smart Thermostats are chosen by utilities across the country for their ability to save residents money on monthly energy bills. This is incredibly important for customers with limited incomes who may often find themselves choosing between paying a bill or putting food on the table. Through DTE’s Home Energy Consultation Program, low income residents can receive home energy assessments and updates including a Sensi Smart Thermostat for free. 

Each year, Walker-Miller Energy Services completes more than 20,000 energy assessments throughout the state of Michigan for DTE. Programs such as this help residents improve their home’s energy efficiency and comfort while educating communities about saving energy and sustainability. After evaluating the type of HVAC system, technology preferences in the home and Wi-Fi compatibility, residents may be offered a Sensi Smart Thermostat. Sensi Smart Thermostats are ENERGY STAR certified and Emerson Sensi was awarded the 2020 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. By installing a smart thermostat, homes can save about 23% on HVAC energy annually.Features of a smart thermostat include temperature scheduling and remote access from your phone, which can also help save on energy usage. 

Through energy-saving home upgrades, Sensi Smart Thermostats and its utility program partners are supporting and strengthening communities by improving thousands of homes every year.

Challenges brought on by COVID-19 required Snohomish County PUD to shift tactics and strategies in order to best serve customers. Thanks to a flexible retail program design, the PUD was able to go above and beyond to serve their customers, including those hardest hit. In addition to increasing bill assistance programs, the PUD launched an effort to help customers by offering free ENERGY STAR® Product Bundles. Utilizing their existing online marketplace, the PUD curated two energy-saving bundles: A Bathroom Bundle, with ENERGY STAR LEDs, WaterSense showerheads, and aerators; and an Entertainment Bundle, with ENERGY STAR LEDs and advanced power strip. PUD customers go online to order their free bundle, with free shipping included. Initial outreach included targeted emails to income qualified customers, offers to customers recently helped by the PUD’s Community Support Plan, and customer service also promoted the bundles to customers calling in for assistance. The bundles also include low and no-cost energy-saving tips that reference additional ENERGY STAR products to help save even more money and energy. The original goal was to distribute 18,000 bundles but increased the goal to 35,000 bundles after an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. This effort will assist 10% of the PUD’s customers.

Turlock Irrigation District (TID) held an ENERGY STAR LED Holiday light giveaway at an open house event within our service region at Hanshaw Middle School in Modesto, California. The open house giveaway event provided educational information on the benefits of replacing lights with more energy efficient LED lights. The open house resulted in the distribution of approximately 200 light strands at the event. 

At TID, we are committed to supporting our customers by helping to identify how they can save money and conserve energy during peak occasions such as holiday light installation times and throughout the year. TID continually evaluates the needs of our disadvantaged communities and offers programs and information to support a broad range of needs. The LED light giveaway is one example of how TID strives to be a good steward of our resources, connect our customers and communities to educational information to support their conservation efforts, and provides relevant assistance to enhance quality of life for our customers.

Virginia Energy Sense (VES) is the Commonwealth’s energy education program under the guidance of the State Corporation Commission. Virginia set a goal to reduce electric energy consumption 10 percent below 2006 levels by 2022, and the VES program is designed to help Virginians understand and reduce their energy use to help work toward this goal. 

The VES website serves as the main resource for the program, providing a multitude of materials and information focused on energy efficiency, such as the My ENERGY STAR tool, a list of consumer rebates/incentives, home energy tips, blogs and more. The VES program also distributes printed materials and DIY guides to utilities, municipalities and community outreach programs throughout the state to help low-income families and individuals become more energy efficient. Notably, the materials have been used by the cities of Roanoke and Charlottesville community outreach programs, and Dominion Energy Virginia for distribution to low-income families, veterans and seniors.

As part of its commitment to helping customers through the COVID-19 crisis, Xcel Energy is donating over 2.5 million high-efficiency LED light bulbs to food banks in Minnesota and Colorado, it’s two biggest service territories. The 4-packs of bulbs are free for food shelf patrons. The goal is to help people access high-efficiency light bulbs which use up to 90 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs, reducing energy use and lowering energy bills.

“With so many people unemployed due to COVID-19, everyone is looking for ways to save money, and this is a great way to reduce your energy use and lower your bills,” says Sherryl Volkert, program manager at Xcel Energy. “An ENERGY STAR® LED bulb lasts at least twelve years and can save more than $55 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Simply replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs and start saving.”

Xcel Energy partners with various retailers to offer discounts of up to $3 per LED bulb to all of its Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and South Dakota customers. The bulbs are marked with an Xcel Energy discount sticker. Visit xcelenergy.com/lightingdeals to learn which retailers participate.