Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a key focus of the Office of Energy Resources. Efficient practices on the farm, at home, and in business and industry can save energy resources and money, as well as reduce dependence on out-of-state or foreign sources. The Energy Efficiency Program offers information resources to help Idaho citizens and companies use energy wisely, choose energy-efficient products, cooperate on a community level in public private partnerships, take advantage of new technologies and processes, and incorporate efficiencies into new construction or renovations. Federal, state and regional governments, as well as universities and professional associations offer a variety of resources to improve energy efficiency, including the following:
- Northwest Building Efficiency Center, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and a team of building efficiency experts, which provides information on energy efficient technologies
- Home Performance Specialists (HPS) are building science professionals trained by the state of Idaho and Nationally Certified through the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to perform home energy audits and determine the value and impact of energy retrofits. They are private contractors operating as independent third party agents representing the interests of the home owner. As part of their National Certification process, all are required to sign and abide by a Code of Ethics agreement.
- Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is a feature of Energy Star that offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home.
- Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a partnership of northwest utilities that promotes energy efficient products and services
- Performance Tested Comfort Systems Northwest, which supports contractors and utilities making improvements based on Performance Tested Comfort Systems (PTCS™) standards
Elements of the Energy Efficiency Program and respective staff contacts are:
- Agricultural Efficiency, Terry Hoebelheinrich, 208-287-4899, terry.hoebelheinrich@oer.idaho.gov
- Building Efficiency
- Residential Energy Efficiency Programs: Tim O'Leary, 208-287-4902, tim.oleary@oer.idaho.gov
- Manufactured Housing:
- Energy Star Residential Construction
- Efficiency for Existing Homes
- Community and Commercial Buildings: Sue Seifert, 208-287-4904, sue.seifert@oer.idaho.gov
- Residential Energy Efficiency Programs: Tim O'Leary, 208-287-4902, tim.oleary@oer.idaho.gov
- Industrial Efficiency, Jeff Brooks, 208-287-4893