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Communication: Property Owners, Facility Managers, Maintenance Staff, and Tenants

“Creating a Culture of Energy Efficiency at Public Housing Apartment Complexes”-Rusty Collins, Colorado State University Extension-

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The Challenge

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The Challenge

Create a “Culture of Energy Efficiency” at low-income apartment complexes where

most residents do not pay utilities.

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The Challenge

Create a “Culture of Energy Efficiency” at Create a Culture of Energy Efficiency at low-income apartment complexes where

most residents do not pay utilities.

…in 60 days...

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Assumptions

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist•Need materials to be at appropriate educational level, and translated into Spanish

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist•Need materials to be at appropriate educational level, and translated into Spanish•Many residents who do not pay utilities are not concerned with energy savings

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist•Need materials to be at appropriate educational level, and translated into Spanish•Many residents who do not pay utilities are not concerned with energy savings•Most resident-based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenantsMost resident based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenants

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist•Need materials to be at appropriate educational level, and translated into Spanish•Many residents who do not pay utilities are not concerned with energy savings•Most resident-based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenantsMost resident based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenants•Need materials that will keep energy efficiency at the top of the mind, every month

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist•Need materials to be at appropriate educational level, and translated into Spanish•Many residents who do not pay utilities are not concerned with energy savings•Most resident-based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenantsMost resident based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenants•Need materials that will keep energy efficiency at the top of the mind, every month•Must have buy-in from owners and management staff

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AssumptionsAssumptions•Limited models of successful energy efficiency education programs for tenants exist•Need materials to be at appropriate educational level, and translated into Spanish•Many residents who do not pay utilities are not concerned with energy savings•Most resident-based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenantsMost resident based programs have limited participation by the majority of tenants•Need materials that will keep energy efficiency at the top of the mind, every month•Must have buy-in from owners and management staff•Management staff is typically overworked, underpaid and resistant to new programs

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Steps Required

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Steps RequiredStakeholder InputAssemble TeamCreate MaterialsCreate Materials

Approve MaterialsCoordinate and Educate

Evaluate

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Steps RequiredStakeholder InputAssemble TeamCreate MaterialsCreate Materials

Approve MaterialsCoordinate and Educate

Evaluate

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St k h ldStakeholders

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St k h ldStakeholders•Department of Energy & ARRA•Colorado Governor’s Energy Office•Energy Outreach Colorado•Colorado State University Extension•CSU Sponsored Programs•15 Public Housing Apartment Complexes•Owners, Management & Staff, Residents•Jefferson County ColoradoJefferson County, Colorado

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Steps RequiredStakeholder InputAssemble TeamCreate MaterialsCreate Materials

Approve MaterialsCoordinate and Educate

Evaluate

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Th TThe Team

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Th TThe Team•Coordination•Project Management & Budget•Research•Expertise•Brainstorming•Design•Spanish Translation•EducationEducation•Evaluation

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Energy Efficiency Project

Project ManagerCSU ExtensionJeffco/Denver

Project OversightRusty Collins

CSU Extension Director

Project Partners:Energy Outreach Colorado

Jefferson County Budget OfficeCSU Campus Specialists

Extension Community Energy CoordinatorsTo be identified Education Partner(s)

To be identified Subcontractor(s)

Proposed Organizational Chart

Ad i i t ti B kk i d

Tenant Education

36 Project Location Sites Throughout Colorado

Design/GraphicsBranding

Bob Eriksson

Staff Education Installer Education

AdministrativeSupport Staff

Jeffco/Denver Admin

Bookkeeping andReporting

Kathy Duncan

Create Buy-InShare Info and Whole Plan

Incentive/Aspire to ParticipateMake it Interesting or FunAdd Value, Respect Jobs

Tenant Education

Recognizable Branding8 in 8 Branding Strategy

Project Signage & MailingsNew Resident Strategy

Resident Sensitivity

Staff Education Installer Education

Add ValueRespect Jobs/Schedules

Understand Whole PictureAttention to Legal Req.’s

Federal Requirements

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Steps RequiredStakeholder InputAssemble TeamCreate MaterialsCreate Materials

Approve MaterialsCoordinate and Educate

Evaluate

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Steps RequiredStakeholder InputAssemble TeamCreate MaterialsCreate Materials

Approve MaterialsCoordinate and Educate

Evaluate

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C di ti d Ed tiCoordination and Education• Contacted ownership and/or management of 15 complexes• Provided on-site training, delivered start-up materials• Executed a pre-program survey for staff• Provided feedback to the team

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Steps RequiredStakeholder InputAssemble TeamCreate MaterialsCreate Materials

Approve MaterialsCoordinate and Educate

Evaluate

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Evaluate• Pre-education survey created and delivered at 15 apartment

complexes to property management staff.• Information will be longitudinal and analyzed by a CSU Professor.Information will be longitudinal and analyzed by a CSU Professor.• Preliminary analysis shows program is creating greater investment in

properties and energy efficiency by residents and management staff alike.

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Much can be accomplished in a short time with the right

mix of people, talent and resources.

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Much can be accomplished in a short time with the right

mix of people, talent and resources.• Successful tenant education programs need investment

and buy in from property management staff and/orand buy-in from property management staff and/or ownership.

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Much can be accomplished in a short time with the right

mix of people, talent and resources.• Successful tenant education programs need investment

and buy in from property management staff and/orand buy-in from property management staff and/or ownership.

• One-shot educational campaigns are less effective than a regular and planned “drip campaign” similar to the “8 in 8” concept.p

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Much can be accomplished in a short time with the right

mix of people, talent and resources.• Successful tenant education programs need investment

and buy-in from property management staff and/or y p p y gownership.

• One-shot educational campaigns are less effective than a regular and planned “drip campaign” similar to the “8 in 8” concept.

• Always go back and check-in with your stakeholders or• Always go back and check-in with your stakeholders or those who are paying your bill! Things can change, and constant contact can reduce negative consequences and keep all parties aligned and bought-in.

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Thank you!Thank you!Rusty Collins

County Extension DirectorColorado State University Extension

Denver and Jefferson Counties, ColoradoDenver and Jefferson Counties, Colorado

888 E. Iliff AvenueDenver, CO 80201

(720) 913-5270 main(303) 547-2881 cell

russell.collins@denvergov.org