Skip to main content

Efficiency

Overview

Energy efficiency resources are often less expensive than the equivalent supply resources. State policy for least-cost energy planning therefore highlights efficiency as a key tool to meet the state's energy needs in the most cost-effective manner. Expenditures on energy efficiency stay local, create good jobs, help the local economy, and reduce the state's environmental footprint. The Department of Public Service carries out and/or oversees numerous energy efficiency and energy conservation programs, while also serving as the Vermont State Energy Office under the U.S. Department of Energy, State Energy Program. Extensive information about all of these programs can be found below.

Residential

Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)

This energy code affects all new homes (and additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs) built after July 1, 1998. The current version took effect on September 1, 2020, and an updated version shall take effect July, 1, 2024.

Vermont Accreditation Procedure for Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Providers

The Vermont Accreditation Procedure for Home Energy Rating System Providers sets minimum standards for rater training, operating procedures and policies, software programs, and quality control. These standards assure that customers can rely on the representations of accredited providers.

Energy Savings Resources

This page has state and federal resources with useful information to help you save energy.

Commercial and Industrial

Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES)

The Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) apply to all commercial buildings as of January 1, 2007. The current version took effect on September 1, 2020, and an updated version shall take effect July, 1, 2024.  

Act 250 Energy Review

Act 250 projects for compliance with Criterion 9(F).

COMcheck-EZ

The COMcheck-EZ software simplifies energy code compliance by offering a flexible computer-based alternative to manual calculations.

Energy Savings Account (ESA) Program

The Vermont Public Utility Commission has established an option for eligible Vermont business customers to self-administer energy efficiency through the use of an Energy Savings Account (ESA).

Energy Code Compliance Plan

The Energy Code Compliance Plan provides more information on the process the Department of Public Service followed for developing a plan to meet 90 percent compliance with Vermont energy codes by February 1, 2017.

Efficiency Potential Studies

Energy Efficiency Potential Study 2019

The scope of this study includes assessing the energy efficiency potential associated with the State’s three designated EEUs. This study assesses both electric and natural gas energy efficiency potential throughout Vermont for a period of 20 years (2021-2040). The study was used as a basis to inform energy efficiency budgets for 2018 through 2020 for electric and natural gas efficiency utilities (EEUs), as ordered by the Public Utility Commission in its Demand Resources Plan proceeding.  Every three years, the Vermont Public Utility Commission conducts a proceeding, the Demand Resources Plan (DRP), to identify short- and long-term energy efficiency budgets and savings goals, as well as other compensation matters related to the delivery of energy efficiency services by Vermont’s EEUs.

Energy Efficiency Potential Study 2017

The Energy Efficiency Potential study assesses both electric and natural gas energy efficiency potential throughout Vermont for a period of 20 years (2018-2037). The Department of Public Service commissioned this study, which assesses the potential for electric energy efficiency to reduce electric consumption and peak demand throughout Vermont. The study was used as a basis to inform energy efficiency budgets for 2018 through 2020 for electric and natural gas efficiency utilities (EEUs), as ordered by the Public Utility Commission in its Demand Resources Plan proceeding.  Every three years, the Vermont Public Utility Commission conducts a proceeding, the Demand Resources Plan (DRP), to identify short- and long-term energy efficiency budgets and savings goals, as well as other compensation matters related to the delivery of energy efficiency services by Vermont’s EEUs.

Regulated and Unregulated Fuel Efficiency Potential Studies (2014)

Regulated Fuels, Natural Gas
Unregulated Fuels, Deliverable Fuels

The Department of Public Service commissioned these studies to estimate the energy efficiency potential for the regulated and unregulated fuels market in Vermont.

Electric Energy Efficiency Potential Study (2013)

The Department of Public Service commissioned an update to the study carried out in 2011 of the potential for electric energy efficiency to reduce electric consumption and peak demand throughout Vermont. This study was used as a basis to inform energy efficiency budgets for 2015-2017, as ordered by the Public Utility Commission in its Demand Resources Plan proceeding.

Electric Energy Efficiency Potential Study (2011)

The Deparment of Public Service commissioned a study of the potential for electric energy efficiency to reduce electric consumption and peak demand throughout Vermont. The study found that that energy efficiency could achieve 25.4% of forecasted kWh sales in 2031, and 19.9% of 2031 forecasted summer peak demand. This study was used as a basis to inform energy efficiency budgets for 2012-2014, as ordered by the Public Utility Commission in its Demand Resources Plan proceeding.

Vermont Electric Energy Efficiency Potential Study and Appendices (2007)

This study estimates the achievable cost-effective potential for electric energy and peak demand savings from energy efficiency and fuel conversion measures in Vermont.

Vermont Energy Efficiency Potential Study for Oil, Propane, Kerosene and Wood Fuels (2007)

This study estimates the achievable cost-effective potential for energy savings from energy efficiency measures for oil, propane, kerosene and wood fuels in Vermont over the 10-year period from 2007 through 2016.

Thermal Efficiency Task Force

The Department of Public Service created and facilitated a task force to ensure an integrated and comprehensive statewide whole-building approach to thermal energy efficiency that will put Vermont on the path toward meeting the goals set forth in statute.

Avoided Energy Supply Costs

Every two years, the Department of Public Service joins a regional effort to develop "Avoided Energy Supply Costs" for consideration to be used for energy efficiency cost-effectiveness screening. The final report and appendices, produced by Synapse Energy Economics, can be found below.

2015 Avoided Energy Supply Costs Study:

Final Report with Appendices (pdf)
Appendix B (xlsx)
Appendix C (xlsx)
Appendix D (xlsx)

2013 Avoided Energy Supply Costs Study:

Final Report with Appendices
Appendix B - Workbook
Appendix C - Workbook
Appendix D - Workbook
Description of Amendments
Amended Appendix C
Amended Appendix D

Building Energy Labeling

Working groups have been conducted to complete analysis on building energy disclosure, including whether and how to require disclosure of the energy efficiency of commercial and residential buildings in order to make data on building energy performance visible in the marketplace for real property, and to inform the choices of those who may purchase or rent such property.

Efficiency & Energy Resources Division

For information about the Efficiency & Energy Resources Division, please see the Divisions page.