$Two Billion & Counting: A Behind the Scenes Discussion on How Focus on Energy Has Successfully Impacted the Wisconsin Multifamily New Construction Sector

Josh Arnold, Focus on Energy/Franklin Energy Services
Abby Vogen, Energy Center of Wisconsin

Keywords

Abstract

The multi-family sector is often a “lost opportunity” due to its dual nature of residential and commercial features. This paper provides information about Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services New Construction (ACES NC) program and a “behind the scenes” look at the development and utilization of the new ACES NC Multifamily New Construction Best Practices Guide.

Focus on Energy is the state of Wisconsin’s public benefits fund. Focus on Energy’s ACES NC program has provided technical and financial assistance to over $2 billion worth of multifamily new construction projects in Wisconsin over the last three years. This paper discusses the ACES NC strategic approach and program structure. To strengthen program participation and reduce cost per kilowatt, the ACES NC program is writing a Multifamily New Construction Best Practices Guide for Wisconsin (Guide). The Guide includes design principles, specific technical recommendations and case studies to illustrate cost-effective implementation of energy efficient and high performance green building technology. This paper discusses the Guide’s contents, its research and writing process, intended audiences and program strategies for implementation.

This paper outlines how the ACES NC program transforms the Wisconsin multifamily sector through education and technical support. The authors discuss how the ACES NC program uses the Best Practices Guide to increase program impact, energy savings and peak demand reduction. Lastly, the paper evaluates the Guide as a tool to enable the ACES NC program to transition out of the market when the program ends.