USING GIS TO TARGET OUTREACH FOR LADWP CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAMS

THIS PROJECT

This project is a collaborative effort between California State University, Northridge and the San Fernando Valley Green Team. Using geographical information systems (GIS) and spatial statistical analyses, we examine the participation in various electricity saving programs in Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and their effectiveness.

Resources:

1. Our Team
2. CSUN Department of Geography
3. LA Department of Water of Power

Chapter 5 Results from Interviews

5.1 Introduction

5.2 LABBC Interviews

5.3 Interview Summary

 

 

5.1 Introduction

The people interviewed in Boyle Heights represent a cross-section of residents.   Some were old, some young, some with families, some who lived alone, and some who spoke English and some who spoke Spanish.  The people interviewed in Northridge represented a smaller cross-section of residents for that area.  All were young to middle-aged and all spoke English.  The results of the interviews are presented in Attachment A and summarized in the table below. 

Table 5.1 Profile of Two Neighborhoods in Los Angeles: Boyle Heights and Northridge

In the Boyle Heights interviews, the majority of the interviewees lived in multi-family housing, whereas in the Northridge interviews, the majority lived in single-family homes.  People living in single family housing typically have more major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and air conditioners than those in multi-family housing and they would therefore be expected to be more likely to purchase new appliances.  However, among those interviewed in the two locations, more people had purchased appliances in the last two years in the Boyle Heights group than in the Northridge group.
The interest in energy efficiency was equally important to both groups.   Awareness of LADWP’s energy efficiency programs was much higher in Northridge than in Boyle Heights.  This may be due to the difference in the means of learning about these programs.  In the Northridge group, the means of learning about LADWP’s programs included easily accessed information channels such as notices in bills and online information.  While for the Boyle Heights group, the primary means of learning about LADWP’s programs were through personal contact types of communication channels such as community events and community outreach. 

Participation in LADWP’s energy efficiency programs was comparable between the two groups considering the small sample size, but there was a distinct difference in the programs that were accessed.  In the Boyle Heights group, weatherization and the Low Income Refrigerator Exchange program were more frequently noted whereas in Northridge, the Consumer Rebate Program was more often noted.  People in the Northridge group also were more likely to apply for a rebate when they purchased an energy efficient appliance.

The primary energy efficiency practices for both groups were similar, turning off lights when not needed and lowering the thermostat.  Other practices included unplugging chargers when not in use, limiting the time that the television is on, limiting appliance use during the day, and CFLs.  Three people in the Boyle Heights group noted that their televisions are on for long periods, with one noting that she leaves her television on all night while she is sleeping.  One person in the Boyle Heights group and one person in the Northridge group noted that they have heavy computer use in their homes for business purposes and that they leave their servers on 24/7.

Suggestions for rebates and programs to encourage residential participation in energy efficiency programs included:

Boyle Heights group

1. More timely information on usage so that behavioral changes can be made if usage is spiking.
2. Better understanding of electric and water bills such as what amount of usage is normal, what is high, what is efficient.  Understanding how their usage can change with energy efficiency.
3. More promotion of energy efficiency programs at bill pay centers.
4. Having someone available at the bill pay centers to assist customers who want to apply for rebates or programs would be helpful for people who do not use the internet.  One of the assistants at the Roosevelt High School Parent Center noted that only around 25% of parents use the internet.

5. Add microwaves and televisions to the rebate program.

Northridge Group

1. Free light bulbs.

2. Things that don’t cost money.  This was meant to refer to more than just free items.

3. Reduction in energy bill instead of a rebate.  For example, if a person reduces their energy usage by 20%, they get 10% off their remaining bill.

4. Two interviewees recommended improvements to commercial programs that affected them from a business perspective.  These were streamlining the multi-family toilet program and speeding up the rebate processing time for the CLEO program.  The rebate processing time was noted as a very real issue for small businesses that rely on these rebates for getting paid.

5.2 LABBC Interview

The LABBC interview was conducted to get an overview of what is happening in the commercial building sector.  This program covers a wide range of buildings and provides an indication of trends in this sector.  The interview conducted for this project was informal; a more detailed analysis may be developed by LABBC as part of their program.  The text of the interview answers is provided in Attachment B.

The LABBC program covers the entire City of Los Angeles, however most of the interest in the program and participation is from building owners in the downtown area.  Properties include a full range of commercial and multi-family buildings including some affordable housing properties downtown.  Participants include private owners, LLCs, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and municipal owners.

The level of interest in energy efficiency varies among participants.  For most owners, interest is highest when upgrades to the building are imminent and when equipment is reaching the end of its useful life.  Some building owners are more forward thinking and planning for the next 3-5 years. The highest interest is among institutional investors such as REITs who see certifications like Energy Star and LEED as setting their projects apart.

Awareness of LADWP’s programs is high among facility managers and engineers and lower among property owners.  Contractors are an important source of information regarding rebates and incentives as they include these in their proposals. The primary rebate programs that LABBC is seeing utilized at this time are CLEO and the Custom Performance Program (CPP). 
Timing is an important factor in purchasing energy efficient equipment and in utilizing LADWP rebates.  For planned purchases, equipment is replaced as it reaches the end of its useful life and energy efficiency and rebates can be factored into the decision-making.  However, many times equipment is replaced because it has failed.  In these instances, rapid turnaround is essential and there may not be enough time for energy efficiency analysis and rebate application processing.

The Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Program is anticipated to address an important need for commercial building owners by providing financial incentives to analyze and plan for energy efficiency upgrades.

5.3 Summarizing the Findings from the Interviews

Based on the results of the interviews, factors affecting participaton include:

1. Type of housing appears to be a factor affecting participation in the Consumer Rebate Program.  In Boyle Heights where multi-family housing was prevalent, participation in the Consumer Rebate Program was low.  In Northridge, where single-family housing is prevalent, participation in the Consumer Rebate Program was high.  This makes sense when the number of appliances and the ownership of the appliances in the different types of housing are considered. The income levels in these two areas also affected the types of program participation with weatherization and LIREP being more prevalent in the Boyle Heights area.

2. Information channels differed greatly between the two areas.  Notices in bills and the internet were cited as sources of how residents in the Northridge group learned of LADWP’s energy efficiency programs.   While the Boyle Heights group cited community events and outreach as a primary source of information.  These preferred communication methods also carry over to the means of applying for rebates in each community.  Online applications are suitable for residents in areas like Northridge, whereas printed applications and application assistance may be more effective for residents of Boyle Heights and similar areas.

3. On the commercial front, the high participation rate in LADWP’s CLEO and CPP programs downtown correlates with the high participation rate of these property owners in the LABBC program.  This may be related to the number of institutional investors associated with downtown properties and the competitiveness to set their buildings apart through Energy Star and LEED certifications.  These property owners also involve larger companies that are able to have dedicated staff assigned to facilities management projects.

This part is provided by Carolyn Casavan, President, The San Fernando Valley Green Team