This document is a part of LBNL’s Clean Energy Program Policy Brief series. These policy briefs highlight emerging program 

models, important issues that programs face, and how these issues are being addressed. The work described in this report was 

funded by the National Electricity Delivery Division of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy 

Reliability under Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.To join the email list to receive 

briefs and papers from this series, please click HERE. Please direct questions or comments to Ian Hoffman (ihoffman@lbl.gov).

Summary

In order to compile and analyze information about energy efficiency programs across the country, it is 

necessary to have a common categorization of program types as well as definitions of the metrics that 

define program performance and characteristics. As part of an effort to analyze the cost per unit of savings 

for utility-customer funded energy efficiency programs, LBNL developed a typology of standardized 

program categories, as well as metrics and associated definitions for program characteristics, costs and 

impacts. These definitions and naming conventions facilitate meta-analysis of program results and could 

simplify the analyses and use of such information by a wide range of entities engaged in reporting and 

assessing the impacts of energy efficiency.

The program categories and definitions described in this policy brief are based primarily on LBNL’s 

collection and review of several years of annual energy efficiency reports from 108 program administrators 

in 31 states for approximately 1,900 unique programs. The categories and definitions also were informed 

by a variety of sources including publications from the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network 

(SEE Action), the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships’ 

EM&V Forum, and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Program categories 

are defined first by seven sectors (including one for demand response programs), then by simplified 

program categories (27 for efficiency programs) and then into more detailed categories (62 for efficiency). 

This relatively large number of categories is necessary to cover the range of program types that are 

prevalent regionally and throughout the country. Having detailed program categories also provides 

flexibility for grouping programs by a variety of common characteristics for comparison and analysis (e.g., 

organizing programs by technology versus sector). 

The detailed program categories and metric definitions have been adopted by LBNL for its research into

the costs of saved energy and by the CEE for its annual industry report surveys. We have also shared this 

program typology with other researchers and are now publishing them via this policy brief in the hope that 

other entities may consider their adoption. Our plan is to gather feedback from stakeholders via an annual 

or biennial process to modify, add or subtract program categories as program offerings change or to 

address potentially needed clarifications in the definitions and categories. 

LBNL-6370E

August 28, 2013

Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics: Enabling 

Multi-State Analyses Through the Use of Common Terminology

Ian M. Hoffman, Megan A. Billingsley, Steven R. Schiller, Charles A. Goldman and Elizabeth 

Stuart
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Introduction 

In 2011, program administrators that manage electric and gas efficiency programs funded by utility 

customers spent about $6.7 billion (CEE 2013), with spending projected to possibly more than double by 

2025 (Barbose et al., 2013). These programs are administered by well over a hundred administrators 

(utilities, state energy agencies, non-profit and for-profit companies). In addition, hundreds if not 

thousands of organizations implement the programs under the direction of the administrators; many of 

which have their own performance and costs reporting requirements. 

Most program administrators report information annually (e.g., portfolio and program-level energy 

savings and costs). In some states, program administrators also provide information on other metrics (e.g., 

number of program participants, project-participant costs, and program marketing and evaluation costs). 

However, the state-by-state evolution of utility customer-funded energy efficiency programs has fostered 

diversity in their regulation, design and administration—and likewise, with respect to reporting, diversity 

in the basic terminology for naming programs and describing their characteristics and performance. The 

absence of a standardized language has made it difficult to categorize programs and their performance in 

a consistent way that enables formal analysis and the drawing of conclusions about energy efficiency as a 

resource from regional or national perspectives.

A number of organizations have collected data from efficiency program and portfolio annual reports and 

used them to compare or analyze program impacts on a regional or national basis. In many cases, the 

organizations conducting these studies have attempted to make program data reported by different 

program administrators comparable. These organizations and their efforts include:

• Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s (CEE) annual industry reports. Since 2006, CEE has surveyed 

efficiency program administrators in order to document the industry’s budgets, expenditures and 

savings. 

• The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships’ (NEEP) Regional Evaluation, Measurement and 

Verification Forum (EM&V Forum) supports the development and use of common and/or consistent 

protocols to evaluate, measure, verify, and report the savings, costs, and emission impacts of energy 

efficiency. The EM&V Forum has developed the Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED),

launched in early 2013, which includes data from eight states, soon to be nine states and the District 

of Columbia. REED was informed by the Forum’s “Common Statewide Energy Efficiency Reporting 

Guidelines,” which were adopted by the Forum’s Steering Committee in 2010.1

• The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has conducted industry surveys 

for many years, including a national review of the cost of energy saved through efficiency programs

(Friederich et al 2009).

 

• U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) has collected data on energy efficiency programs 

administered by electric utilities on a voluntary basis for many years through their 861 Form. EIA 

(2013) has also released a “State Energy Efficiency Program Evaluation Inventory” that supported the 

National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) and provided cost information from state-mandated 

energy efficiency program evaluations.2

 1 See http://neep.org/emv-forum/about-the-emv-forum/index 2 See http://www.eia.gov/efficiency/programs/inventory/
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

With funding from the Department of Energy, 

LBNL initiated its Cost of Saved Energy (CoSE) 

project to collect and analyze the cost of saved 

electricity and natural gas from utility-customer 

funded energy efficiency programs across the 

United States (see side bar). As part of this effort, 

LBNL researchers collected data from 31 states’ 

energy efficiency programs, primarily for the years 

2009, 2010 and 2011. As a result, cost and savings 

data on almost 1,900 unique programs, covering 

one or more program years (for a total of ~4,000 

program-years worth of data), have been collected 

for reporting and analyses.

Given the number of program administrators and 

implementers that report program data and the lack 

of a national standard for reporting formats and 

definitions, there are three key concerns for those 

who want to compile and analyze information on 

utility-customer funded energy efficiency programs 

on a regional or national basis:3

1. Energy savings and program costs are 

not defined consistently. How reported 

metrics are defined varies from state to 

state. The most common discrepancies can be found in the definitions of net energy savings. 

However, there are many other metrics for which differences are found, for example: 

• The term “annual energy savings” typically is understood as shorthand for annualized 

incremental energy savings, but some entities—including resource planners—apply a 

different meaning that includes savings resulting from prior years’ activities. 

• Most program administrators do not count their own performance incentives among program 

costs, yet a few do. The definitions of other cost categories (e.g., marketing costs) also vary 

from state to state.

• The definition of measure lives (e.g., how the term effective useful life is defined), how 

measure lives are determined, and the estimated measure life values for the same measures 

or program types often varies among states. 

2. What data are reported is not consistent. For example, some states report just gross or net 

energy savings whereas others report both. Similarly, many efficiency annual reports only 

indicate first-year savings and not lifetime savings.4 With respect to cost data, program 

administrators often report a different combination of administrator costs, incentive costs, 

implementation contractor costs, participant costs, evaluation costs, and marketing costs, 

depending on state reporting guidelines or administrator practices.

3. Programs and sectors are not characterized in a universal or standardized fashion. Programs 

targeting specific building types or consumers can be included under different sectors from state 

 3 Note that the three listed concerns do not address a potential fourth issue of the reliability (accuracy) of the 

reported data. 4 LBNL found that only about a quarter of the program reports that we reviewed included information on measure 

lifetimes or lifetime savings, although this information is required to assess program cost effectiveness.

LBNL Cost of Saved Energy Project

The cost per unit of savings of energy efficiency actions 

as implemented by program administrators of utility 

customer-funded efficiency programs has been collected 

and analyzed at the state, utility and portfolio levels by 

several organizations using various methods and 

definitions. However, cost and savings data have not been 

collected or systematically analyzed at the program level 

on a national scale and thus comparisons of costs and 

performance have generally only been reported at the 

portfolio or market sector level. This has limited the 

ability of efficiency program planners to reliably estimate 

the cost of programs or determine how efficiency costs 

vary in response to factors such as administrator 

experience, changes in codes and standards, labor market 

costs, retail rate levels, and scale of efficiency 

investments. Using the program categories and definitions 

described in this policy brief, LBNL has developed a 

DOE-funded Cost of Saved Energy research project. 

Information and reports on this project will be posted as 

they become available at: http://emp.lbl.gov
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

to state (e.g., multi-family residential structures are sometimes included in the commercial sector 

and sometimes in the residential sector portfolio). The types of activities and/or measures that are 

included under the same program title (e.g., custom vs. combination custom/prescriptive 

programs) also vary.

Usually, these inconsistencies do not cause much confusion within any single organization or state with 

respect to program-related definitions. However, when data are compiled from multiple states or program 

administrators, the “language differences” can produce an apples-and-oranges mix of data, which can 

distort any multi-state or multi-administrator observations about a particular program metric, type or 

sector. In summary, a common terminology and program typology is important for organizing program 

data into appropriate and consistent categories so that programmatic energy efficiency, as a regional and 

national resource, can be reliably assessed. 

Program Categories and Metric Definitions

We developed a set of program categories and metric definitions for the CoSE project (see Appendices A 

and B for a list of program categories and metrics definitions). Energy efficiency programs are grouped 

and classified by sector (6), then by simplified efficiency program category (27) and then detailed 

program category (62) as illustrated in Figure 1.

5

Figure 1: Selected Program Types in LBNL Program Categorization Scheme (note that not all simplified 

and detailed program categories are shown)

 5 Including demand response as a seventh “sector”, there are 31 simplified program categories and 66 detailed 

program categories.

Program Administrator Portfolio

Residential

Whole Home 

Programs

Whole Home 

Retrofit, Home 

Performance

Audits –

standalone, onsite

Direct Install

Consumer 

Products Rebate

Electronics

Lighting

Appliances

Commercial

Custom

Whole Buildings

RCx

Small Commercial

Prescriptive

HVAC

Lighting

Perf. Contracts, 

Bidding

Industrial & 

Agriculture

Custom

Industrial & Ag 

Process

Data Centers

Refrigerated 

Warehouses

Prescriptive

Motors

Ag. Prescriptive 

(Pumps)

Commercial & 

Industrial

Cross Cutting & 

Other

Multi-Sector

Codes & 

Standards

Market 

Transformation

Multi-Sector 

Equipment Rebate

Cross Cutting

EM&V

Marketing & 

Education

Low Income

Low Income

Program Type Categorization Level

Portfolio

Simplified

Sector

Detailed
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Program Categories and Typology

The primary source used for characterizing and defining the simplified and detailed program categories

was the thousands of programs reviewed as part of the CoSE project. In addition to the LBNL CoSE 

effort, other sources, including the previously cited ACEEE, CEE and NEEP/REED efforts, were 

reviewed and utilized. For the demand-response program categories, we used the program categories 

defined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its national surveys (FERC 2012), although

we are not compiling demand-response program data at this time. 

For the CoSE project, LBNL researchers used these categories and definitions to characterize program 

data compiled from the source reports (i.e., program administrator annual reports and impact evaluation 

reports) into sectors and then into detailed program categories. We decided that a three-tiered hierarchy of 

(1) sector level, (2) simple program categories, and (3) detailed program categories was appropriate 

because it provided options for different levels of analysis, given two data availability issues. First, some 

cost data are only available at the sectoral or simplified program level. Second, even at a national level, 

the number of programs for which data is available can be small for certain detailed program categories. 

Nonetheless, we included certain program types in the detailed typology because they have regional 

significance (e.g., pool pump programs in the Southwest, data center programs in New York, Washington 

and California) or the program types appear to be emergent (e.g., financing and residential behavior).

Having the three tiers for different levels of collection and analyses, including a first tier of fairly detailed 

program categories, also allows flexibility in grouping programs for comparison and analysis (e.g., singlemeasure versus comprehensive programs, resource versus non-resource programs, or by technology such 

as lighting versus HVAC programs). In addition, in some cases, having the more detailed program 

category tier narrowed the range of installed measures for each program type and therefore reduced the 

uncertainty in derivation of program average measure costs, lifetimes and lifetime savings. For example, 

we have defined three detailed program categories for the simplified program category of “Whole Home 

Upgrades”: Whole Home Audit Programs; Whole Home Direct-Install Programs; and Whole Home 

Retrofit Programs. 

The detailed program categories also enable some visibility into program design, e.g., differentiating 

among single-measure rebate programs, direct-install programs and multi-measure prescriptive programs. 

Thus, detailed program categories make it easier to focus attention or queries on the design and 

implementation of those programs of interest. However, characterizing programs by design or 

implementation strategy is limited to some degree by the fact that the programs often combine multiple 

strategies or operate as critical enablers or gateways to several other programs. 

When the reported name of the program was ambiguous (e.g., EnergySaver) or otherwise not intuitive, we 

looked to the program description and, if available, measure-level savings as touchstones for program 

categorization. In the future, other practitioners can choose between the specificity of up to 66 efficiency 

and demand response program categories which provides an opportunity for more in-depth comparative 

analysis of different types of efficiency programs, or the very high level organization of seven sectors, or 

the middle ground of the 31 simplified program categories. It should also be noted that having multiple 

levels to the program typology also can enable data sharing, by allowing comparison or perhaps merging 

of data among different resolution data sets.
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Metric Definitions

In preparing the metric definitions, our primary source was the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action 

Network’s (SEE Action Network) Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation Guide (State and Local 

Energy Efficiency Action Network 2012) which describes common terminology, structures, and 

approaches used for determining savings from energy efficiency programs. The guide was particularly 

important for defining energy metrics such as net and gross energy savings and lifetime energy savings. 

The SEE Action Network’s committees included program administrators, regulators and others from 

multiple states and regions and the definitions in the guide incorporated input from a wide range of 

energy efficiency glossaries. The guide’s terms and definitions thus represent a consensus among many 

stakeholders in different parts of the country. 

Collaboration and Updating

We hope that the program categories and definition of program metrics described in this policy brief can 

improve the efficacy of the efficiency industry’s efforts to compile, report, and analyze energy efficiency 

program information, if they are adopted by other entities. For example, program administrators that are 

required to report efficiency program data to state, regional or national entities may find value in the 

information that comes from the types of analyses made possible by consistent reporting, and thus they 

may also decide to adopt this sector and detailed program typology. To this end, LBNL has shared these

program categories and definitions with the NEEP/REED and ACEEE staff engaged in collecting and 

analyzing data for their own efforts. LBNL has also discussed the categories with EIA analysts for their 

consideration in future efficiency program studies that they may undertake. In particular, LBNL has 

conferred closely with CEE. As part of its 2013 annual industry report survey, CEE is collecting program 

level energy efficiency and demand response program data from program administrators using the 

detailed program categories described in this policy brief and definitions derived primarily from the SEE 

Action Impact Evaluation Guide glossary. 

Our goal is to continue collecting annual data on efficiency programs implemented throughout the United 

States and to use the program categories and metric definitions for organizing, reporting and analyzing the 

information. We recognize that program category names and definitions may change and evolve as new 

programs are developed and new information becomes available to help refine the program 

categorization. Thus, prior to starting the next data collection effort for the CoSE project in 2014, we plan

to send out a request for comments to stakeholders, conduct webinars, and then collect and utilize input 

from stakeholders to possibly revise the sector and program categories and definitions as needed. 

Thereafter, this input solicitation and updates process will likely be repeated every other year.
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

References

Barbose, G., Goldman, C.A., Hoffman, I.M. and Billingsley, M.A. “The Future of Utility CustomerFunded Energy Efficiency Programs in the United States: Projected Spending and Savings to 2025,” 

Berkeley, CA: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. January 2013. LBNL-5803E 

Forster, H. J., Wallace, P., Dahlberg, N. “2012 State of the Efficiency Program Industry - Budgets, 

Expenditures, and Impacts” Consortium for Energy Efficiency. March 28, 2013

http://www.cee1.org/annual-industry-reports

Friedrich, K., Eldridge, M., York, D., Witte, P. and Kushler, M. “Saving Energy Cost-Effectively: A 

National Review of The Cost of Energy Saved Through Utility-Sector Energy Efficiency Programs.” 

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). September 2009. Report Number U092.

State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network. 2012. Energy Efficiency Program Impact Evaluation 

Guide. Prepared by Steven R. Schiller, Schiller Consulting, Inc., www.seeaction.energy.gov.

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Survey data from Form EIA-861—Annual Electric Power 

Industry Report. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/index.html

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) “State Energy Efficiency Program Evaluation Inventory” 

July 2013.

U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). “Assessment of Demand Response and Advanced 

Metering” Staff report. Dec. 2012 http://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/12-20-12-demand-response.pdf
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Program Categories

In Appendix A, we describe and define simplified and detailed program categories for seven sectors: 

residential; commercial; industrial/agricultural; commercial/industrial; cross-cutting and other; low 

income; and demand response programs (see Tables A1-A7). For each sector, the left hand column of the 

table lists the detailed program category names, with detailed program definitions in the middle column, 

while the right-hand column indicates the corresponding simplified program category.

6

Table A1: Residential Programs

 

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Behavioral/

Online Audit/

Feedback

Residential programs designed around directly influencing household habits 

and decision-making on energy consumption through quantitative or 

graphical feedback on consumption, sometimes accompanied by tips on 

savings energy. These programs include behavioral feedback programs (in 

which energy usage reports compare a consumer's household energy usage 

with those of similar consumers); online audits that are completed by the 

consumer; and in-home displays that help consumers assess their usage in 

near real time. This program category does not include on-site energy 

assessments or audits.

Behavior/

Education

Consumer Product 

Rebate/

Appliances

Programs that incentivize the sale, purchase and installation of appliances 

(e.g., refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers) that are more 

efficient than current standards. Appliance recycling and the 

sale/purchase/installation of HVAC equipment, water heaters and consumer 

electronics are accounted for separately.

Consumer Product 

Rebate

Consumer Product 

Rebate/

Electronics

Programs that encourage the availability and purchase/lease of more 

efficient personal and household electronic devices, including but not 

limited to televisions, set-top boxes, game consoles, advanced power strips, 

cordless telephones, PCs and peripherals specifically for home use, chargers 

for phones/smart phones/tablets. A comprehensive efficiency program to 

decrease the electricity use of consumer electronics products includes two 

focuses: product purchase and product use. Yet not every consumer 

electronics program will seek to be comprehensive. Some programs will 

embark on ambitious promotions of multiple electronics products, 

employing upstream, midstream, and downstream strategies with an 

aggressive marketing and education component. At the other end of the 

continuum, a program administrator may choose to focus exclusively on 

consumer education.

Consumer Product 

Rebate/Lighting

Programs aimed specifically at encouraging the sale/purchase and 

installation of more efficient lighting in the home. These programs range 

widely from point-of-sale rebates to CFL mailings or giveaways. Measures 

tend to be CFLs, fluorescent fixtures, LED lamps, LED fixtures, LED holiday 

lights and lighting controls, including occupancy monitors/switches.

Appliance 

Recycling

Programs designed to remove less efficient appliances (typically 

refrigerators and freezers) from households. 

 6 The detailed program categories could be organized in other ways, such as by technology.
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Multi-Family Multi-family programs are designed to encourage the installation of energy 

efficient measures in common areas, units or both for residential structures 

of more than four units. These programs may be aimed at building 

owners/managers, tenants or both.

Multi Family

New Construction Programs that provide incentives and possibly technical services to ensure 

new homes are built or manufactured to energy performance standards 

higher than applicable code (e.g., ENERGY STAR Homes). These programs 

include new multi-family and new/replacement mobile homes.

New Construction

HVAC Programs designed to encourage the distribution, sale/purchase, proper 

sizing and installation of HVAC systems that are more efficient than current 

standards. Programs tend to support activities that focus on central air 

conditioners, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and 

ductless systems that are more efficient than current energy performance 

standards, as well as climate controls and the promotion of quality 

installation and quality maintenance.

Prescriptive

Insulation Programs designed to encourage the sale/purchase and installation of 

insulation in residential structures, often through per-square-foot incentives 

for insulation of specific R-values versus an existing baseline. Programs may 

be point-of-sale rebates or rebates to insulation installation contractors.

Pool Pump Programs that incentivize the installation of higher efficiency or variable 

speed pumps and controls, such as timers, for swimming pools.

Prescriptive Residential programs that provide or incentivize a set of pre-approved 

measures not included in, or distinguishable from, the other residential 

program categories (e.g., direct install, HVAC, lighting). For example, if a 

residential program features rebates for a large set of mixed, pre-approved 

offerings (e.g., insulation, HVAC, appliances, lighting), yet the relative 

contribution of each measure to program savings is unclear or no single 

measure accounts for a large majority of the savings, then the program 

should be classified as a residential prescriptive program.

Water Heater Programs designed to encourage the distribution, sale/purchase and 

installation of electric and/or gas water-heating systems that are more 

efficient than current standards, including high efficiency water storage tank 

and tankless systems.

Windows Programs designed to encourage the sale/purchase and installation of 

efficient windows in residential structures.

Whole Home/

Direct Install

Direct-install programs provide a set of pre-approved measures that may be 

installed at the time of a visit to the customer premises or provided as a kit 

to the consumer, usually at modest or no cost to the consumer and 

sometimes accompanied by a rebate. Typical measures include CFLs, lowflow showerheads, faucet aerators, water-heater wrap and weather 

stripping. Such programs may also include a basic, walk-through energy 

assessment or audit, but the savings are principally derived from the 

installation of the provided measures. Education programs that supply kits 

by sending them home with school children are not included in this program 

category; they are classified as education programs.

Whole Home 

Upgrade 

(Incl. audits, 

retrofits, etc.)
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Whole Home/

Audits

Residential audit programs provide a comprehensive, standalone 

assessment of a home's energy consumption and identification of 

opportunities to save energy. The scope of the audit includes the whole 

home although the thoroughness and completeness of the audit may vary 

widely from a modest examination and simple engineering-based modeling 

of the physical structure to a highly detailed inspection of all spaces, testing 

for air leakage/exchange rates, testing for HVAC duct leakage and highly 

resolved modeling of the physical structure with benchmarking to customer 

utility bills.

Whole Home 

Upgrade 

(Incl. audits, 

retrofits, etc.) 

(continued from 

previous)

Whole Home/

Retrofit

Whole-home energy upgrade or retrofit programs combine a comprehensive 

energy assessment or audit that identifies energy savings opportunities with 

house-wide improvements in air sealing, insulation and, often, HVAC 

systems and other end uses. The HVAC improvements may range from duct 

sealing to a tune up to full replacement of the HVAC systems. Whole-home 

programs are designed to address a wide variety of individual measures and 

building systems, including but not limited to: HVAC equipment, 

thermostats, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, water heaters, fans, air sealing, 

insulation (attic, wall, and basement), windows, doors, skylights, lighting, 

and appliances. As a result, whole-home programs generally involve one or 

more rebates for multiple measures. Whole-home programs generally come 

in two types: comprehensive programs that are broad in scope and less 

comprehensive, prescriptive programs sometimes referred to as "bundled 

efficiency" programs. This category addresses all of the former and most of 

the latter, but it excludes direct-install programs that are accounted for 

separately.

Financing Programs designed to provide or facilitate loans, credit enhancements or 

interest rate reductions/buy downs. As with other programs, included costs 

are utility costs, including the costs of any inducements for lenders, e.g., loan 

loss reserves, interest rate buy-downs, etc. Where participant costs are 

available for collection, these ideally will include the total customer share, 

i.e., both principal (the participant payment to purchase and install 

measures) and interest on that debt. Most of these programs will be 

directed toward enhancing credit or financing for residential structures.

All Other 

Residential

Other Programs designed to encourage investment in energy efficiency activities in 

residences but are so highly aggregated (e.g., Existing Homes programs that 

include retrofits, appliances, equipment, etc.) and undifferentiated that they 

cannot be sorted into the residential program categories that are detailed in 

this document.
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Table A2: Commercial Programs

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Audit Programs in which an energy assessment is performed on one or more 

participant commercial facilities to identify sources of potential energy 

waste and measures to reduce that waste.

Custom

Custom Programs designed around the delivery of site-specific projects typically 

characterized by an extensive onsite energy assessment and identification 

and installation of multiple measures unique to that facility. These measures 

may vary significantly from site to site. This category is intended to capture 

"whole-building" approaches to commercial sector efficiency opportunities

for a wide range of building types and markets (e.g., office, retail) and wide 

range of measures.

Commissioning/Re

tro-Commissioning

Programs aimed at diagnosing energy consumption in a commercial facility 

and optimizing its operations to minimize energy waste. Such programs may 

include installation of certain measures (e.g., occupancy monitors and 

switches), but program activities tend to be characterized more by tuning or 

retuning, coordinating and testing the operation of existing end uses, 

systems and equipment for energy efficient operation. The construction of 

new commercial/industrial facilities that includes energy performance 

commissioning should be categorized as "Com: New Construction". The de 

novo installation of energy management systems with accompanying 

sensors, monitors and switches is regarded as a major capital investment 

and should be categorized under "Com: Custom".

Govt./Nonprofit/

MUSH

MUSH (Municipal, University, School & Hospital) and government and 

nonprofit programs cover a broad swath of program types generally aimed 

at public and institutional facilities and which include a wide range of 

measures. Programs which focus on specific technologies (e.g., HVAC and 

lighting) have their own commercial program categories Examples include 

incentives and/or technical assistance to promote energy efficiency 

upgrades for elementary schools, recreation halls and homeless shelters. 

Street lighting is accounted for as a separate program category.

MUSH & Govt.

Street Lighting Street lighting programs include incentives and/or technical support for the 

installation of higher efficiency street lighting and traffic lights than the 

current baseline.

New Construction Programs that incentivize owners or builders of new commercial facilities to 

design and build beyond current code or to a certain certification level (e.g., 

ENERGY STAR or LEED).

New Construction

HVAC C&I HVAC programs encourage the sale/purchase and installation of heating, 

cooling and/or ventilation systems at higher efficiency than current energy 

performance standards, across a broad range of unit sizes and 

configurations. Most of these programs will be directed toward commercial 

structures.

Prescriptive
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Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Lighting C&I lighting programs incentivize the installation of efficient lighting and 

lighting controls. Typical measures might include T-8/T-5 fluorescent lamps

and fixtures; CFLs and fixtures; LEDs for lighting, displays, signs and 

refrigerated lighting; metal halide and ceramic lamps and fixtures; 

occupancy controls; daylight dimming; and timers.

Prescriptive

(continued from 

previous)

Performance 

Contracting/

DSM Bidding

Programs that incentivize or otherwise encourage energy services 

companies (ESCOs) and participants to perform energy efficiency projects, 

usually under an energy performance contract (EPC), a standard offer or 

other arrangement that involves ESCOs or customers offering a quantity of 

energy savings in response to a competitive solicitation/bidding process with 

compensation linked to achieved savings.

Prescriptive/IT & 

Office Equipment

Programs aimed at improving the efficiency of office equipment, chiefly 

commercially available PCs, printers, monitors, networking devices and 

mainframes not rising to the scale of a server farm or floor.

Prescriptive/

Grocery

Grocery programs are prescriptive programs aimed at supermarkets and are 

usually designed around indoor and outdoor lighting and refrigerated 

display cases.

Other Prescriptive programs that encourage the purchase and installation of some 

or all of a specified set of pre-approved measures besides those covered in 

other measure-specific prescriptive programs (e.g., HVAC and Lighting). 

Custom Custom programs applied to small commercial facilities. (See definition of 

custom programs for additional detail.)

Small Commercial

Prescriptive Prescriptive programs applied to small commercial facilities. (See definition 

of prescriptive programs for additional detail.) Such programs may range 

from a walk-through audit and direct installation of a few pre-approved 

measures to a fuller audit and a fuller package of measures. Audit only 

programs have their own category.

Financing Programs designed to provide or facilitate loans, credit enhancements or 

interest rate reductions/buy downs. As with other programs, included costs 

are utility costs, including the costs of any inducements for lenders, e.g., loan 

loss reserves, interest rate buy-downs, etc. Where participant costs are 

available for collection, these ideally will include the total customer share, 

i.e., both principal (the participant payment to purchase and install 

measures) and interest on that debt. Most of these programs will be 

directed toward enhancing credit or financing for commercial structures.

All Other 

Commercial

Other Programs not captured by any of the specific commercial program categories 

but are sufficiently distinct to the commercial sector to not be treated as a 

"Commercial/Industrial Other" program. Example: An EE program aimed 

specifically at the commercial subsector but is not clearly prescriptive or 

custom in nature.
Page 13

Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Table A3: Industrial/Agricultural Programs

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Audit Programs in which an energy assessment is performed on one or more 

participant industrial or agricultural facilities to identify sources of potential 

energy waste and measures to reduce that waste.

Custom

Custom Programs designed around the delivery of site-specific projects typically 

characterized by an extensive onsite energy assessment and identification 

and installation of multiple measures unique to that facility. These 

measures may vary significantly from site to site. This category is intended 

to capture "whole-facility" approaches to industrial or agricultural sector 

efficiency opportunities for a wide range of building types and markets

Custom/

Data Centers

Data center programs are custom-designed around large-scale server floors 

or data centers that often serve high-tech, banking or academia. Projects 

tend to be site-specific and involve some combination of lighting, servers, 

networking devices, cooling/chillers, and energy management 

systems/software. Several of these may be of experimental or proprietary 

design.

Custom/Ind. & Ag. 

Process

Industrial programs deliver custom-designed projects that are characterized 

by an onsite energy and process efficiency assessment and a site-specific 

measure set focused on process related improvements that may include, 

for example, substantial changes in a manufacturing line. This category 

includes all EE program work at industrial or agricultural sites that is process 

focused and not generic (and thus would be in the custom category) and 

not otherwise covered by the single-measure prescriptive programs below 

(e.g., lighting, HVAC, water heaters). 

Custom/ 

Refrigerated 

Warehouses

Warehouse programs are typically aimed at large-scale refrigerated storage

facilities and often target end uses such as lighting, climate controls and 

refrigeration systems.

New Construction Programs that incentivize owners or builders of new industrial or 

agricultural facilities to design and build beyond current code or to a certain 

certification level, e.g., ENERGY STAR or LEED.

New Construction

Prescriptive 

Industrial

Prescriptive programs that encourage the purchase and installation of some 

or all of a specified set of pre-approved industrial measures besides those 

covered in other measure-specific prescriptive programs on this list, e.g., 

industrial compressor programs.

Prescriptive

Prescriptive/ 

Agriculture

Farm- and orchard-based agricultural programs that primarily involve 

irrigation pumping and do not include agricultural refrigeration or 

processing at scale.

Prescriptive/ 

Motors

Motors programs usually offer a prescribed set of approved higher 

efficiency motors, with industrial motors programs typically getting the 

largest savings from larger, high powered motors (>200 hp).

Financing Programs designed to provide or facilitate loans, credit enhancements or 

interest rate reductions/buy downs. As with other programs, included costs 

are utility costs, including the costs of any inducements for lenders, e.g., 

loan loss reserves, interest rate buy-downs, etc. Where participant costs are 

available for collection, these ideally will include the total customer share, 

i.e., both principal (the participant payment to purchase and install 

measures) and interest on that debt. Most of these programs will be 

directed toward enhancing credit or financing for industrial and/or 

agricultural facilities.

All Other IA
Page 14

Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Self Direct Industrial programs that are designed and delivered by the participant, 

using funds that otherwise would have been paid as ratepayer support for 

all DSM programs. These programs may be referred to as "opt out" 

programs, among other names.

All Other IA

(continued from 

previous)

Other Programs not captured by any of the specific industrial/agricultural 

categories but are sufficiently distinct to the industrial and/or agricultural 

sectors to not be treated as a "Commercial/Industrial Other" program. 

Example: An efficiency program aimed specifically at the industrial and 

agricultural sectors but is not clearly prescriptive or custom in nature might 

be classified as Other 

Table A4: Commercial/Industrial Programs

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Custom Programs designed around the delivery of site-specific industrial and 

commercial projects typically characterized by an extensive onsite energy 

assessment and identification and installation of multiple measures unique 

to that facility. This category is for programs that address both the 

commercial and industrial sectors and cannot be relegated to one sector or 

another for lack of information on participation or savings.

Custom

New Construction Programs that incentivize owners or builders of new commercial and 

industrial facilities to design and build beyond current code or to a certain 

certification level, e.g., ENERGY STAR or LEED. This category should be used 

sparingly for those programs that cannot be identified with either the 

commercial or industrial sector on the basis of information available about 

participation or the source(s) of savings.

New Construction

Prescriptive Prescriptive programs that encourage the purchase and installation of some 

or all of a specified set of pre-approved industrial and/or commercial 

measures but which cannot be differentiated by sector based upon the 

description of the participants or nature or source of the savings. 

Prescriptive

Self Direct Generally large commercial and industrial programs that are designed and 

delivered by the participant, using funds that otherwise would have been 

paid as ratepayer support for all DSM programs. This category is to be used 

for self-direct or opt-out programs that address both large commercial and 

industrial entities but which cannot be differentiated between these sectors 

because the nature and source of the savings is not available or is also too 

highly aggregated. 

All Other C&I

Mixed Offerings Programs that cannot be classified under any of the specific commercial or 

industrial program categories and span a large variety of offerings aimed at 

both the commercial and industrial sectors.

Other Programs not captured by any of the specific commercial/industrial 

categories but are sufficiently distinct to the industrial and/or agricultural 

sectors to not be treated as a "Commercial/Industrial Other" program
Page 15

Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Table A5: Cross-Cutting & Other Programs

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Codes & Standards 

(C&S)

In C&S programs, the PA may engage in a variety of activities designed to 

advance the adoption, application or compliance level of building codes 

and end-use energy performance standards. Examples might include 

advocacy at the state or federal level for higher standards for HVAC 

equipment; training of architects, engineers and builder/developers on 

code compliance; and training of building inspectors in ensuring the codes 

are met.

Codes & Standards

Market 

Transformation

(MT)

Programs that encourage a reduction in market barriers resulting from a 

market intervention, as evidenced by a set of market effects that is likely to 

last after the intervention has been withdrawn, reduced, or changed. MT 

programs are gauged by their market effects (e.g., increased awareness of 

energy efficient technologies among customers and suppliers); reduced 

prices for more efficient models; increased availability of more efficient 

models; and ultimately, increased market share for energy efficient goods, 

services and design practices. Example programs might include upstream 

incentives to manufacturers to make more efficient goods more 

commercially available; and point-of-sale or installation incentives for 

emerging technologies that are not yet cost effective. Workforce training 

and development programs are covered by a separate category. Upstream 

incentives for commercially available goods are sorted into the program 

categories for those goods (e.g., consumer electronics or HVAC).

Market 

Transformation

Workforce 

Development

Workforce training and development programs are a distinct category of 

market transformation program designed to provide the underlying skills 

and labor base for deployment of energy-efficiency measures.

Marketing, 

Education, 

Outreach (ME&O)

ME&O programs include most standalone marketing, education and 

outreach programs (e.g., statewide marketing, outreach and brand 

development). In-school energy and water efficiency programs are also 

included in this category, including those that supply school children with 

kits of prescriptive measures such as CFLs and low-flow showerheads for 

installation at home.

Marketing, 

Education, Outreach

Other This category is intended to capture all programs that cannot be allocated 

to a specific sector (or are multi-sectoral) and cannot be allocated to a 

specific program type.

Multi-Sector and 

Other

Planning/ 

Evaluation/

Other 

Programmatic 

Support

Non-ME&O support programs include the range of activities not otherwise 

accounted for in program-specific costs but needed for planning & 

designing a portfolio of programs and otherwise complying with regulatory 

requirements for DSM activities outside of program implementation. These 

activities generally are focused on the front and back end of program 

cycles, in assessing prospective programs; designing programs and 

portfolios; assessing the cost effectiveness of measures, programs and 

portfolios; and arranging for, directing or delivering reports and evaluations 

of the process and impacts of those programs - where those costs are not 

captured in program costs.
Page 16

Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Voltage 

Reduction/

Transformers

Programs that support investments in distribution system efficiency or 

enhance distribution system operations by reducing losses. The most 

common form of these programs involve the installation and use of 

conservation voltage regulation/reduction (CVR) systems and practices that 

control distribution feeder voltage so that utilization devices operate at 

their peak efficiency, which is usually at a level near the lower bounds of 

their utilization or nameplate voltages. Other measures may include 

installation of higher efficiency transformers. These programs generally are 

not targeted to specific end users but typically involve changes made by the 

electricity distribution utility.

Multi-Sector and 

Other

(continued from 

previous)

Shading/

Cool Roofs

Shading/reflective programs include programs designed to lessen heating 

and cooling loads through changes to the exterior of a structure (e.g., tree 

plantings to shade walls and windows, window screens and cool/reflective 

roofs). These programs are not necessarily specific to a sector. 

Multi-Sector 

Rebates

Multi-sector rebate programs include providing incentives for commercially 

available end-use goods for multiple sectors (e.g., PCs, HVAC).

Research These programs are aimed generally at helping the PA identify new 

opportunities for energy savings (e.g., research on emerging technologies 

or conservation strategies). Research conducted on new program types or 

the inclusion of new, commercially available measures in an existing 

program are accounted for separately under cross-cutting program 

support.

Research

Table A6: Low-Income Programs

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Low Income Low-income programs are efficiency programs aimed at lower income 

households, based upon some type of income/means testing or eligibility. 

These programs most often take the form of single-family weatherization, 

but a variety of other program types also are included in this program 

category (e.g., multi-family/affordable housing weatherization, low-income 

direct-install programs).

Low Income
Page 17

Energy Efficiency Program Typology and Data Metrics - Enabling Multi-State Analyses 

Table A7: Demand Response Programs

Detailed Category Detailed Program Definition Simplified Category

Time-of-Use 

Pricing

Demand-side management that uses a retail rate or Tariff in which 

customers are charged different prices for using electricity at different 

times during the day. Examples are time-of-use rates, real time pricing, 

hourly pricing, and critical peak pricing. Time-based rates do not include 

seasonal rates, inverted block, or declining block rates.

Pricing

Critical Peak 

Pricing

Demand-side management that combines direct load control with a prespecified high price for use during designated critical peak periods, 

triggered by system contingencies or high wholesale market prices.

Critical Peak 

Pricing with Load 

Control

Demand-side management that combines direct load control with a prespecified high price for use during designated critical peak periods, 

triggered by system contingencies or high wholesale market prices.

Real-Time Pricing Demand-side management that uses rate and price structure in which the 

retail price for electricity typically fluctuates hourly or more often, to 

reflect changes in the wholesale price of electricity on either a day-ahead 

or hour-ahead basis.

Peak Time Rebate Peak time rebates allow customers to earn a rebate by reducing energy use 

from a baseline during a specified number of hours on critical peak days. 

Like Critical Peak Pricing, the number of critical peak days is usually capped 

for a calendar year and is linked to conditions such as system reliability 

concerns or very high supply prices.

Rebate

Other Load management programs that are not captured by the specific DR 

categories named on this list.

Other
Page 18

Appendix B: Data Metrics Glossary

In Appendix B, we provide definitions for reporting various types of energy efficiency program data and 

metrics: number of participants, program activity (e.g. number of measures installed, buildings 

retrofitted), budgets, committed spending, actual expenditures grouped into various categories of program 

costs, measure lifetimes, and energy savings.

# Participants: Total number of consumers who participated in the subject program. For new 

construction programs, we classify "number of homes or buildings" as the number of participants. In 

some programs, the number of participants will be the number of structures or multifamily units. For 

other programs, the number of participants is the number of people participating in the program.

# Units: Total number of measures installed or credited with savings in the subject program ( e.g., 

number of CFLs for which savings are claimed in a lighting program). If the number of units reported for 

a new construction or retrofit program is defined as structures built or retrofitted to a higher level of 

energy performance, then these are not counted as units but as participants.

Administration Costs ($): Actual spending by the Program Administrator (PA) on costs associated with 

planning, designing and implementing an energy efficiency program in a defined geographic area, unless 

some of those costs are specifically accounted for elsewhere. In general, these costs pay for the salaries, 

training and equipping of internal PA staff to administer and implement a program or oversee the work of 

an outside contract implementer. If evaluation, compliance and marketing, outreach & education costs are 

not reported separately, then they typically are included under among program administrative costs. When 

a program is being terminated, shut-down costs also should be included among administrative costs.

Average Measure Lifetime (Years): Average measure lifetime is the weighted average economic 

lifetime of all measures installed in a program year.

Detailed Program Categorization: One of about 70 unique and specific program categories described in 

detail in the Detailed Program Category Definitions tab.

Marketing/Education/Outreach Costs ($): Marketing, Education & Outreach (ME&O) costs are actual 

PA spending on efforts to gain access to potential participants (e.g., through recruitment of community 

leaders), the promotion of a program or the education of participants in conservation/efficiency behaviors 

as a part of a program. Note that in some cases, PAs treat ME&O as its own program or may have a 

separate statewide ME&O effort that is not program specific and addresses branding for the PA or 

portfolio.

Evaluation Costs ($): Evaluation costs are PA spending on any form of Evaluation, Measurement & 

Verification (EM&V) activity, whether internal, external or pass-through funding for regulator-guided 

EM&V. EM&V includes impact and process evaluations and may include an allocation of portfolio-level 

EM&V down to each program.

Lifetime Electric Gross Savings (GWh): The expected gross electricity savings over the lifetime of the 

measures installed as part of the subject program. For the purposes of this collection effort, these values 

are reported by the PA.

Lifetime Electric Net Savings (GWH): The expected net electricity savings over the lifetime of the 

measures installed as part of the subject program. These savings may be calculated by multiplying the 

annual energy use reduction associated with those measures by the lifetime of the measures. For the 
Page 19

purposes of this collection effort, these values are reported by the PA. Net savings are the change in 

energy consumption that is attributable to a particular energy efficiency program. This change in energy 

use may include, implicitly or explicitly, the influence of such factors as free ridership, participant and 

nonparticipant spillover, and induced market effects.

Lifetime Gas Gross Savings (therm): The expected gross natural gas savings over the lifetime of the 

measures installed as part of the subject program. These savings may be calculated by multiplying the 

annual energy use reduction associated with those measures by the lifetime of the measures. Gross 

savings are the change in energy consumption that results directly from program-related actions taken by 

participants in an energy efficiency program, regardless of why they participated, i.e., gross savings 

include savings from free riders who would have taken the program-related actions with or without the 

existence of the program. For the purposes of this collection effort, these values are reported by the PA.

Lifetime Gas Net Savings (therm): The expected net natural gas savings over the lifetime of the 

measures installed as part of the subject program. These savings may be calculated by multiplying the 

annual energy use reduction associated with those measures by the lifetime of the measures. For the 

purposes of this collection effort, these values are reported by the PA.Net savings are the change in 

energy consumption that is attributable to a particular energy efficiency program. This change in energy 

use may include, implicitly or explicitly, the influence of such factors as free ridership, participant and 

nonparticipant spillover, and induced market effects.

Market Sector: Market sector is the segment of the economy that is the source for most of the acquired 

savings of the program.

Other Costs ($): Other costs include those categories of spending that may not fit well into the other 

categories (i.e., are not administration, incentives, ME&O or evaluation costs).

Participant Costs ($): Participant costs are the spending by program participants who receive incentives, 

technical assistance, product installations, training, energy efficiency information or other services, or 

items from a program in a given program year. These participant costs are the participant share of the 

costs of a measure installation or project; they may also take the form of fees. In the case of financed 

projects, they should include principle and interest.

Participant Incentive Costs ($): Actual spending by the PA on financial strategies intended to encourage 

a change in behavior related to energy use. Incentives can take various forms, e.g., rebates, subsidies, 

financing, prizes. Customer incentives are commonly used in energy efficiency programs as rebates for 

individual measures or as buy-downs in more custom-oriented projects, although incentives can be 

monetary inducements to manufacturers, distributors, contractors, or retailers to increase the availability 

and affordability of energy efficient goods and services in the market.

Program Administrator Name: Name of the entity that administers the energy efficiency programs for 

which the data is provided (PA). These entities include traditional utilities; energy efficiency and clean 

energy utilities; quasi-state agencies (e.g., NYSERDA); and third-party administrators (e.g., Hawaii 

Energy). 

Program Name: Name of the program as used in the report or evaluation.

Resource Program: A resource program is a program intended and designed for directly acquiring

energy savings.

Simplified Program Categorization: One of about 30 general program categories that represent a higher 

level of aggregation among programs and a lower level than market sector. In general, simplified program 
Page 20

categories are characterized by a more detailed breakdown of sector, e.g., Industrial vs C&I, and an 

indication of whether the program is single measure or comprehensive and prescriptive versus custom.

Total Claimed Gross Annual Electric Savings (KWh): Gross annual incremental electricity savings as 

reported by an implementer or administrator, using their own staff and/or an evaluation consulting firm, 

after the subject energy efficiency activities have been completed in the defined geographic area (e.g., a 

utility territory within a state). Annual incremental savings are the difference between the amount of 

energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in one year 

and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy efficiency 

activities in the prior year. Gross savings are the change in energy consumption that results directly from 

program-related actions taken by participants in an energy efficiency program, regardless of why they 

participated, i.e., gross savings include savings from free riders who would have taken the programrelated actions with or without the existence of the program. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" 

savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during the program year, the first-year cost of 

savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Claimed Gross Annual Gas Savings (therm): Gross annual incremental natural gas savings as 

reported by an implementer or administrator, using their own staff and/or an evaluation consulting firm, 

after the subject energy efficiency activities have been completed in the defined geographic area (e.g., a 

utility territory within a state). Annual incremental savings are the difference between the amount of 

energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in one year 

and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy efficiency 

activities in the prior year. Gross savings are the change in energy consumption that results directly from 

program-related actions taken by participants in an energy efficiency program, regardless of why they 

participated, i.e., gross savings include savings from free riders who would have taken the programrelated actions with or without the existence of the program. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" 

savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during the program year, the first-year cost of 

savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Claimed Net Annual Electric Savings (KWh): Net annual incremental savings as reported by an 

implementer or administrator, using their own staff and/or an evaluation consulting firm, after the subject 

energy efficiency activities have been completed in the defined geographic area (e.g., a utility territory 

within a state). Annual incremental savings are the difference between the amount of energy savings 

acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in one year and the amount of 

energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy efficiency activities in the 

prior year. Net savings are the change in energy consumption that is attributable to a particular energy 

efficiency program. This change in energy use may include, implicitly or explicitly, the influence of such 

factors as free ridership, participant and nonparticipant spillover, and induced market effects. Note that 

these are annualized, "full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during the 

program year, the first-year cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Claimed Net Annual Gas Savings (therm): Net annual incremental natural gas savings as 

reported by an implementer or administrator, using their own staff and/or an evaluation consulting firm, 

after the subject energy efficiency activities have been completed in a specific geographic area (e.g., a 

utility territory within a state). Annual incremental savings are the difference between the amount of 

energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in one year 

and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy efficiency 

activities in the prior year. Net savings are the change in energy consumption that is attributable to a 

particular energy efficiency program. This change in energy use may include, implicitly or explicitly, the 

influence of such factors as free ridership, participant and nonparticipant spillover, and induced market 

effects. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were 

installed during the program year, the first-year cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.
Page 21

Total Electric Budget ($): Total dollar amount that a program administrator budgeted or was projected 

to spend on an electric energy efficiency program over the defined program year in the defined 

geographic area where the program is to be implemented. The total program budget includes all program 

administrative costs, incentive costs, marketing & outreach costs and, often, evaluation costs. 

Performance incentives are not considered part of the program budget and should be excluded.

Total Electric Committed Spending ($): Total electric committed spending is program spending 

associated with measures and projects that are approved, contracted and often implemented during the 

program year but the actual outlay, e.g., payment of a rebate after installation, occurs after the program 

year has ended.

Total Electric Expenditures ($): Total dollar amount that a program administrator actually spent on an 

electric energy efficiency program over the defined program year in the defined geographic area where 

the program is implemented. Total program expenditures include all program administrative costs, 

incentive costs, marketing & outreach costs and, often, evaluation costs. Performance incentives are not 

considered part of the program costs and should be excluded.

Total Evaluated Annual Gross Electric Savings (KWh): Annual incremental gross electric savings 

estimates are generated by an independent, third-party evaluator after the subject energy efficiency 

activities have been implemented and an impact evaluation has been completed in the defined geographic 

area (e.g., a utility territory within a state). Annual incremental savings are the difference between the 

amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in 

one year and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy 

efficiency activities in the prior year. Gross savings are the change in energy consumption that results 

directly from program-related actions taken by participants in an energy efficiency program, regardless of 

why they participated, i.e., gross savings include savings from free riders who would have taken the 

program-related actions with or without the existence of the program. Note that these are annualized, 

"full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during the program year, the firstyear cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Evaluated Annual Net Electric Savings (KWh): Annual incremental net electric savings 

estimates are generated by an independent, third-party evaluator after the subject energy efficiency 

activities have been implemented in the defined geographic area (e.g., a utility territory within a state) and 

an impact evaluation has been completed. Annual incremental savings are the difference between the 

amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in 

one year and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy 

efficiency activities in the prior year. Net savings are the change in energy consumption that is 

attributable to a particular energy efficiency program. This change in energy use may include, implicitly 

or explicitly, the influence of such factors as free ridership, participant and nonparticipant spillover, and 

induced market effects. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when 

measures were installed during the program year, the first-year cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-

month first year.

Total Evaluated Gross Annual Gas Savings (therm): Annual incremental gross natural savings 

estimates are generated by an independent, third-party evaluator after the subject energy efficiency 

activities in a specific geographic area (e.g., a utility territory within a state) have been implemented and 

an impact evaluation has been completed. Annual incremental savings are the difference between the 

amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in 

one year and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy 

efficiency activities in the prior year. Gross savings are the change in energy consumption that results 

directly from program-related actions taken by participants in an energy efficiency program, regardless of 

why they participated, i.e., gross savings include savings from free riders who would have taken the 
Page 22

program-related actions with or without the existence of the program. Note that these are annualized, 

"full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during the program year, the firstyear cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Evaluated Net Annual Gas Savings (therm): Annual incremental net natural savings estimates 

are generated by an independent, third-party evaluator after the subject energy efficiency activities in the 

defined geographic area (e.g., a utility territory within a state) have been implemented and an impact 

evaluation has been completed. Annual incremental savings are the difference between the amount of 

energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of energy efficiency activities in one year 

and the amount of energy savings acquired or planned to be acquired as a result of the energy efficiency 

activities in the prior year. Net savings are the change in energy consumption that is attributable to a 

particular energy efficiency program. This change in energy use may include, implicitly or explicitly, the 

influence of such factors as free ridership, participant and nonparticipant spillover, and induced market 

effects. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were 

installed during the program year, the first-year cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Gas Budget ($): Total dollar amount that a program administrator plans to spend on a natural gas 

energy efficiency program over the defined program year in the defined geographic area where the 

program is to be implemented. The total program budget includes all program administrative costs, 

incentive costs, marketing & outreach costs and, often, evaluation costs. Performance incentives are not 

considered part of the program budget and should be excluded.

Total Gas Committed Spending ($): Total gas committed spending is program spending associated with 

measures and projects that are approved, contracted and often implemented during the program year but

the actual outlay, e.g., payment of a rebate after installation, occurs after the program year has ended.

Total Gas Expenditures ($): Total dollar amount that a program administrator actually spends on a 

natural gas energy efficiency program over the defined program year in the defined geographic area 

where the program is implemented. Total program expenditures include all program administrative costs, 

incentive costs, marketing & outreach costs and, often, evaluation costs. Performance incentives are not 

considered part of the program costs and should be excluded.

Total Projected Gross Annual Electric Savings (KWh): Gross annual incremental electricity savings 

as estimated by an implementer or administrator before the subject energy efficiency activities have been 

implemented. Projected savings are typically estimates prepared for program/portfolio design and 

planning purposes, based upon pre-cycle estimates of factors such as per-unit savings values, operating 

hours, installation rates, and savings persistence rates. Gross savings are the change in energy 

consumption that results directly from program-related actions taken by participants in an energy 

efficiency program, regardless of why they participated, i.e., gross savings include savings from free 

riders who would have taken the program-related actions with or without the existence of the program. 

Note that these are annualized, "full-year" savings, i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during 

the program year, the first-year cost of savings is derived for a full, 12-month first year.

Total Projected Gross Annual Gas Savings (therm): Gross annual incremental gas savings as 

estimated by an implementer or administrator before the subject energy efficiency activities have been 

implemented. Projected savings are typically estimates prepared for program/portfolio design and 

planning purposes, based upon pre-cycle estimates of factors such as per-unit savings values, operating 

hours, installation rates, and savings persistence rates. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" savings, 

i.e., regardless of when measures were installed during the program year, the first-year cost of savings is 

derived for a full, 12-month first year.
Page 23

Total Projected Net Annual Electric Savings (KWh): Net annual incremental electricity savings as 

estimated by an implementer or administrator before the subject energy efficiency activities have been 

implemented. Projected savings are typically estimates prepared for program/portfolio design and 

planning purposes, based upon pre-cycle estimates of factors such as per-unit savings values, operating 

hours, installation rates, and savings persistence rates. Net savings are the change in energy consumption 

that is attributable to a particular energy efficiency program. This change in energy use may include, 

implicitly or explicitly, the influence of such factors as free ridership, participant and nonparticipant 

spillover, and induced market effects. Note that these are annualized, "full-year" savings, i.e., regardless 

of when measures were installed during the program year, the first-year cost of savings is derived for a 

full, 12-month first year.