Low Income Consumers – Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative https://smartenergycc.org Listen, Educate, Collaborate Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:29:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://smartenergycc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cropped-SECC_LinkedIn_400x400_option2-32x32.png Low Income Consumers – Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative https://smartenergycc.org 32 32 Alleviating Americans’ Energy Burdens Infographic https://smartenergycc.org/alleviating-americans-energy-burdens-infographic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alleviating-americans-energy-burdens-infographic https://smartenergycc.org/alleviating-americans-energy-burdens-infographic/#comments Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:14:24 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=30940 The post Alleviating Americans’ Energy Burdens Infographic appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Infographic

Alleviating Americans’ Energy Burdens


SECC’s “Alleviating Americans’ Energy Burdens” survey is the first installment in the Smart Energy Snapshot Series, a new consumer research series designed to quickly capture Americans’ thoughts on timely energy-related topics via brief, nationally representative surveys.

The survey – fielded to 1,524 respondents in April – asked Americans whether they have struggled to pay their electric bills over the past year, if they have taken steps to pay and/or reduce their bills, whether they are aware of or are actively participating in utility programs designed to help with their energy expenses and more.

View the infographic here to discover the key findings from the first Smart Energy Snapshot Survey. Members are encouraged to download the slides for more in-depth findings, including why some consumers have not taken action to lower their electricity bills and who consumers believe is responsible for reducing their bills.


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/alleviating-americans-energy-burdens-infographic/feed/ 6 Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters Webinar https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-the-needs-and-wants-of-renters-webinar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=understanding-the-needs-and-wants-of-renters-webinar Wed, 27 Oct 2021 19:12:32 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=28868 The post Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters Webinar appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Webinar

Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters



Replay the webinar
Understanding Renters



In this Research Brief Webinar, we reviewed the key findings from SECC's "Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters" report, which looks at who residential renters are today and how electricity providers and other stakeholders can better serve them.

The speakers examined the financial status of today's renters, their top barriers to becoming more energy efficient, their awareness of various energy programs and offers from their electricity providers, their interest in demand response programs and electric vehicles, and more.

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]]> Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-the-needs-and-wants-of-renters/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=understanding-the-needs-and-wants-of-renters https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-the-needs-and-wants-of-renters/#comments Tue, 26 Oct 2021 19:00:54 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=28789 The post Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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  • Full Report Members Only

Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters


  • Quantitative research on renters – plus landlord interviews
  • Online survey of 1,000 renters who pay their own energy bills
  • Five 30-minute interviews with residential landlords
  • Renters’ energy-related attitudes, interests and barriers
  • Insights on issues facing renters, including housing affordability

Author:
Date: October 26, 2021
Topics: Consumer Data Low Income Consumers Renters
Resource Type:

Download a copy of the “Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters” report, which aims to better understand residential renters as consumers and explore their attitudes, values and preferences regarding energy management activities and utility programs.

The report is based on an online survey of 1,000 renters in the United States, supplemented with interviews with a sample of residential landlords and property managers and a literature review of relevant publications and media stories.

The “Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters” report seeks to enable SECC’s membership to deepen their understanding of renters and their specific energy needs to better target communications and program development.

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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-the-needs-and-wants-of-renters/feed/ 6 2021 Consumer Symposium: Modernizing Consumer Engagement for a New Era Presentations https://smartenergycc.org/2021-consumer-symposium-modernizing-consumer-engagement-for-a-new-era-presentations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2021-consumer-symposium-modernizing-consumer-engagement-for-a-new-era-presentations Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:00:49 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=27951 The post 2021 Consumer Symposium: Modernizing Consumer Engagement for a New Era Presentations appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Presentation Materials

2021 Consumer Symposium: Modernizing Consumer Engagement for a New Era

Presentations and other materials from SECC’s virtual 2021 Consumer Symposium held on April 20-21, 2021.

Day 1

2021 State of the Consumer Report


SECC’s President & CEO Nathan Shannon, NB Power’s Customer Engagement Specialist Norma McCarthy and Barbara Leary, Principal of Barbara Leary Consulting presented results from SECC’s annual State of the Consumer research and discussed how to use these insights to effectively drive consumer engagement. Download the slides here.


View the recording

Day One Keynote: Annmarie Reynolds, Chief Customer Officer, AES


Annmarie Reynolds, Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, The AES Corporation, talked about the innovative ways to engage and serve energy consumers in 2021. Download the slides here.


View the recording

Getting Customers Back on Track: Energy Assistance Programs


Moderated by Janna Normington from Kandela, panelist discussed innovative assistance and efficiency programs to help consumers better manage their energy bills and usage. Download the slides here.


View the recording

Climate Change and Energy: What’s to Come in 2021?


Moderated by Hannah Bascom from Google, panelists discussed the potential policies to come and what to expect around decarbonization, beneficial electrification and the impacts of renewable energy goals set by energy providers and all levels of government. Download the slides here.


View the recording

Day 2

Racial Disparities in Energy Among Lower-Income Communities


Moderated by Liz Coyle from Georgia Watch, panelists shared their observations of SECC’s research into racial disparities among lower-income energy consumers and explored strategies that stakeholders can use to better serve lower-income Black and POC households. Download the slides here.


View the recording

Virtual Lightning Round


A lightning round session with the 2021 Consumer Symposium sponsors.


View the recording

Day Two Keynote: Abhay Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Bidgely


Abhay Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Bidgely, illustrated how no customer should be left behind in terms of access to new technologies and resources and how utilities are in a unique position to help customers understand their current impact on the environment, and then motivate, challenge and guide those customers to take the next step. Download the slides here.


View the recording

2021 Best Practices Awards


SECC recognized leadership from electricity providers in today’s increasingly customer-centric energy ecosystem by honoring best practices of electricity providers across six categories: Consumer Education, Consumer Engagement, Culture Transformation, Smart Energy Innovation, Underserved Markets and Small-and-Medium Business Engagement. Download the slides here.


View the recording

Debunking the Myths: How to Grow Consumer Adoption of Electric Vehicles


Moderated by Jenna Canseco from DNV, panelists explored advancements in electric vehicles, including reduced charging times, improved infrastructure, increased range, battery storage and greater availability of models. Panelists also discussed overcoming barriers to adoption and increasing awareness of the benefits to electrifying transportation. Download the slides here.


View the recording


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]]> Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers Webinar https://smartenergycc.org/racial-disparities-among-lower-income-energy-consumers-webinar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=racial-disparities-among-lower-income-energy-consumers-webinar Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:04:54 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=27441 The post Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers Webinar appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Webinar

Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers



Replay the webinar
Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers



SECC's Nathan Shannon joined by Marie D'Arrigo from Maru/Matchbox and Erick Jones from Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute shared the key findings from the SECC's “Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers” white paper, which sought to find out where and why racial disparities exist in smart energy. The speakers also revealed recommendations for stakeholders that wish to better engage and support lower-income Black and POC consumers.

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]]> Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers White Paper https://smartenergycc.org/racial-disparities-among-lower-income-energy-consumers-white-paper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=racial-disparities-among-lower-income-energy-consumers-white-paper https://smartenergycc.org/racial-disparities-among-lower-income-energy-consumers-white-paper/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:30:45 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=27343 The post Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers White Paper appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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White Paper

Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers


Download a copy of SECC’s “Racial Disparities Among Lower-Income Energy Consumers” white paper, which explores differences in the energy-related behaviors, interests, concerns and finances of lower-income White, Black and People of Color (POC) consumers.

The paper found that while lower-income Black and POC consumers often have greater financial and household struggles, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, these consumers are more likely to be concerned with climate change and the environment and are more interested in smart energy technologies, including community solar, smart thermostats, smart appliances and energy management technology.

This is the final publication in SECC’s series addressing the needs and wants of lower-income consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first white paper analyzed low-income programs from a variety of electricity providers, and the second publication was the “Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future” quantitative study.

View the webinar here

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/racial-disparities-among-lower-income-energy-consumers-white-paper/feed/ 2 Lower-Income Consumers & the Smart Energy Future Webinar https://smartenergycc.org/lower-income-consumers-the-smart-energy-future-webinar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lower-income-consumers-the-smart-energy-future-webinar Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:37:45 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=26797 The post Lower-Income Consumers & the Smart Energy Future Webinar appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Webinar

Lower-Income Consumers & the Smart Energy Future



Replay the webinar
Lower-Income Consumers & the Smart Energy Future



SECC's Nathan Shannon joined by Marie D'Arrigo from Maru/Matchbox examined the top findings from the “Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future” report, which is based on a survey of 1,000 consumers with household incomes under $50,000. In addition, they were joined by Kristen Murphy from National Grid and Mackenzie Martin from Puget Sound Energy as they shed light on who lower-income consumers are and how they engage with smart energy along with what their respective utilities are doing for these consumers.

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]]> Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future Report https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-lower-income-consumers-and-the-smart-energy-future-report/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=understanding-lower-income-consumers-and-the-smart-energy-future-report https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-lower-income-consumers-and-the-smart-energy-future-report/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:00:28 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=26770 The post Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future Report appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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  • Full Report Members Only

Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future Report


  • A national survey of 1,000 lower-income consumers
  • Lower-income consumers’ behaviors and attitudes around energy
  • The financial obstacles to engaging in energy efficiency
  • Insights related to the impact of COVID-19 on these consumers
  • Actionable recommendations for industry stakeholders

Author:
Date: November 17, 2020
Topics: Clean Energy Consumer Engagement COVID-19 Low Income Consumers
Resource Type:

Download a copy of the “Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future” report, which sheds light on lower-income consumers’ behaviors, attitudes and values as they relate to energy efficiency, smart home technology, renewable energy, their electricity providers and climate change.

The report was developed from an online national survey administered to 1,000 consumers across the United States in August and September 2020. This research defined lower-income consumers as those earning less than $50,000 annually. Further analysis delineated consumers earning less than $25,000 as low-income consumers and those earning over $25,000 as moderate-income consumers.

The report found that lower-income consumers’ values largely align with those of higher-income Americans. Saving money is their primary driver of energy decision-making – a finding consistent with SECC’s past research. Lower-income consumers also expressed considerable concern for the environment and support for investments in clean energy: eighty-one percent value these two priorities.

As part of this research, we also developed an infographic on the four personas of lower-income consumers that you can access here. Also, view the research briefing webinar here. This is the second publication in SECC’s series addressing the needs and wants of lower-income consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first white paper analyzed low-income programs from a variety of electricity providers, and the final white paper focuses on racial disparities in the lower-income consumer data set.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/understanding-lower-income-consumers-and-the-smart-energy-future-report/feed/ 1 Who Are Lower-Income Consumers? Infographic https://smartenergycc.org/who-are-lower-income-consumers-infographic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=who-are-lower-income-consumers-infographic Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:00:14 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=26772 The post Who Are Lower-Income Consumers? Infographic appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Infographic

Who Are Lower-Income Consumers?


In SECC’s “Understanding Lower-Income Consumers and the Smart Energy Future” report, we developed four personas of lower-income consumers: The Environmentally Driven, The Smart Energy Receptive, The Smart Energy Decliners and The Climate Change Skeptics. These personas were created to understand lower-income consumers more deeply and how they might differ on values, attitudes and other characteristics.

This infographic provides a breakdown of the four personas, including their top barriers to energy-saving activities, their typical electricity bill amounts and the percentages of each persona that rent vs. own their homes. It also provides a quick glance at their agreement with statements such as “The government should invest more in renewable energy sources” and “I can easily understand how to use new smart technologies”.


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]]> Approaches for Better Serving Lower-Income Consumers White Paper https://smartenergycc.org/approaches-for-better-serving-lower-income-consumers-white-paper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=approaches-for-better-serving-lower-income-consumers-white-paper Tue, 03 Nov 2020 21:29:52 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=26722 The post Approaches for Better Serving Lower-Income Consumers White Paper appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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White Paper

Approaches for Better Serving Lower-Income Consumers


Download a copy of SECC’s “Approaches for Better Serving Lower-Income Consumers” white paper, which explores low-income programs from electricity providers and provides an analysis of what makes these programs work for these under-resourced consumers.

During this research, a variety of programs and initiatives for low- and moderate-income customers were analyzed. Key themes and program components that make initiatives successful were identified, and these were developed into recommendations for industry stakeholders to consider when implementing similar programs.

This is the first of three publications from SECC that addresses the needs and wants of lower-income consumers. The second publication is a quantitative study that offers insights from a nationally representative sample of lower-income consumers, and the final white paper focuses on racial disparities in the lower-income consumer data set.

Recommended Resources


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