# Multifamily Housing Offers Opportunity for Utilities

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/03/multifamily-housing-offers-opportunity-for-utilities/
- Published: 2013-03-28T18:20:12-04:00
- Author: greenguruguides

_Study Recommends Nine Strategies for Designing Successful Programs_

Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2013): For utilities seeking to meet energy efficiency
goals, the multifamily housing sector represents a sizeable opportunity to achieve
energy savings through targeted energy efficiency programs. In the report, _[Engaging as Partners: Introducing Utilities to the Energy Efficiency Needs of Multifamily Buildings and Their Owners](https://aceee.org/research-report/e137)_,
the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and CNT Energy examine
the factors that contribute to effective energy efficiency program design for multifamily
buildings and recommend strategies that can help utilities design and implement 
energy efficiency programs to attract multifamily building owners and achieve significant
energy savings.

_“There is enormous opportunity to achieve energy savings in the multifamily sector,
and utilities have an important role to play in delivering effective energy efficiency
programs,” said Anne McKibbin, policy director for CNT Energy. “Utilities need to
work with the multifamily sector to design programs that address the barriers that
prevent multifamily building owners from investing in energy efficiency upgrades.”_

The United States has more than 18 million occupied apartments and condominiums 
in buildings with five units or more, and 16 million of these units are occupied
by renters. Collectively, these building owners and tenants spent nearly $22 billion
on energy in 2009, an average of $1,141 per household. If the best current multifamily
energy efficiency programs were expanded nationwide, they could save up to $3.4 
billion per year. Improvements to current program models could result in even greater
savings.

Key recommendations for utilities include designing programs that address the diverse
needs of different segments of the [multifamily housing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/multifamily-housing-solutions-for-energy-savings/)
markets, making rebates easy to understand and access, and coordinating programs
offered by natural gas and electric utilities. In addition, the report stresses 
the importance of developing programs that overcome the split incentive that occurs
in rental housing where building owners are responsible for the costs of efficiency
upgrades while tenants pay their own utility bills and reap the benefits of those
upgrades.

The strategies outlined in the report offer utilities a roadmap that can help them
capitalize on the enormous opportunity for energy savings that exists in the multifamily
housing sector. The report highlights key industry players who make natural partners,
including building owners, financial institutions, and affordable housing intermediaries.
It also lays out a practical approach to designing programs that will achieve deep
energy savings and lasting benefits for all stakeholders, building owners in particular.

**_“Energy efficiency can make a huge difference in the bottom line for multifamily
building owners,” said Kate Johnson, ACEEE senior policy analyst. “In addition to
lower utility bills, owners have happier tenants because units are more comfortable.
That means lower tenant turnover and higher occupancy rates, which also makes a 
big impact on cash flow for building owners.”_**

To read the report visit: [http://aceee.org/research-report/e137](https://aceee.org/research-report/e137)

Those interested in learning more are invited to participate in a webinar on Thursday,
April 25, at 10 a.m. CDT. Details and registration are available at [http://www.cntenergy.org/events/](http://www.cntenergy.org/events/)

_About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst
to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and 
behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences,
visit [aceee.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20190824231044/https://aceee.org/)_

_CNT Energy ([www.cntenergy.org](https://www.elevateenergy.org/)) combines rigorous
research with effective solutions to help consumers and communities control energy
costs and become more energy efficient. We design and implement programs and conduct
research in the areas of dynamic electricity pricing, building energy efficiency,
and regional energy planning to achieve significant savings and job creation for
low-income communities._

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 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman, is recognized as a green living guru and electric
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