How Efficiency Vermont Works
Efficiency Vermont is the nation's first ratepayer-funded energy efficiency utility providing energy efficiency services statewide. Efficiency Vermont provides technical assistance and financial incentives to help Vermont households and businesses reduce their energy costs with energy-efficient equipment and lighting. Efficiency Vermont also provides energy-efficient approaches to construction and renovation.
We are operated by a private nonprofit organization, the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, under an appointment issued by the Vermont Public Service Board.
How people work with us.
Efficiency Vermont works directly with business operators, homeowners, and renters to reduce their energy costs. Vermont's Energy Efficiency Utility also works with retailers, architects, builders, and contractors who provide energy-efficient products and services. Together, they optimize savings to ratepayers and keep ratepayer dollars in Vermont.
How, when, and why we started.
In 1999, the Vermont Legislature passed a law creating Vermont's Energy Efficiency Utility. In 2000, Efficiency Vermont began to deliver services designed to help Vermonters save energy, reduce energy costs, and protect Vermont's environment. Beginning in 2000, most Vermont electric utilities (except Burlington Electric Department) stopped providing energy efficiency services, enabling all Vermonters to receive a uniform and comprehensive set of services.
How we're funded.
An energy efficiency charge on ratepayers' electric bills provides the funds for delivery of energy efficiency services in Vermont. Before Efficiency Vermont was created, the energy efficiency charge was used to pay for energy efficiency services formerly provided by each ratepayer's electric utility. The charge on Burlington Electric Department (BED) customers' bills still pays for the energy efficiency services BED provides.
People served, dollars saved.
Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermonters reduce annual energy costs in their businesses and homes. For up-to-date information on numbers of people served and dollar savings, see our current Annual Report.
Electricity saved.
Vermont businesses and homeowners who have used Efficiency Vermont's services to make cost-effective efficiency investments have saved more than 660 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in annual electric energy.
Peak demand savings.
By lowering peak demand in both winter and summer, energy efficiency reduces the need for the state's utilities to buy electricity at some of the highest prices of the year. It also makes Vermont's energy supply system more reliable and less subject to disruptions. For current information on peak demand savings, see our Annual Report.
Economy
Efficiency Vermont's work strengthens the state's economy. Most of every dollar spent on energy efficiency stays in the state, while most of each dollar spent on power purchases leaves Vermont.
Environment
Energy efficiency is good for the environment, because reduced energy use results in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-burning power plants. For more information about current reductions, see the Efficiency Vermont Success Stories.
Long-term value.
Since 2000, when Efficiency Vermont was established, the cumulative lifetime economic value of efficiency investments in Vermont has totaled more than $643 million. The continuing savings in electricity, fossil fuels, and water help to decrease the rise in the cost of living and doing business in the Green Mountain State.
Everyone benefits.
Vermonters share the benefits of Efficiency Vermont's work. If ratepayers are using less energy, utilities don't have to buy as much power from power plants. So ratepayers' electric bills are likely to be less than they would be without energy-efficient practices.