Education materials should be explained to residents and managers, not merely left with the expectation that they will be read and understood. Many utility companies and government agencies have excellent free educational materials. Instruction booklets provided with new thermostats can be the basis of some material, and just about everything else can be done inexpensively on a word processor. Staff Everyone who comes in contact with clients has the opportunity to educate them, from the initial contact person to the final inspector. Weatherization agencies should train technical and implementation staff to be educators.
Private companies can require, and train, contractors to educate clients.
To ensure high-quality energy education, a mechanism should be established for constant communication among the educators in the field, site supervisors, contractors, and program managers. This will foster program continuity and growth. Syracuse Energy's Experience Under a DSM contract with a major utility in upstate New York, Syracuse Energy has treated 4,000 units in 30 all-electric, multifamily apartment complexes since 1992. We developed a whole building approach to diagnostics and treatment that is tailored to the site and residents. We begin by meeting with the owners to inform them about program requirements, benefits, and possible challenges.