Elevate’s Research Papers and Presentations at the 2024 ACEEE Summer Study

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) holds a biennial Summer Study, an energy conference inviting policymakers and researchers from around the world to share their work to inspire innovating thinking and collaboration in the energy field.

This year’s theme centers around indoor temperature monitoring in Chicago homes without central AC as well as extreme heat concerns, perceptions, and adaptation strategies, with Rachel Scheu co-leading the Energy Efficiency and Equity Panel. Elevate’s research includes 4 papers, with the lead authors being Paige Neri, Pamela Brookstein, Faith Graham, and Brittany Turner. Other research includes 3 additional presentations, the first of which will be Anne Evens on Monday Plenary Panelist. Next will be Delmar Gillus with a 20-minute screening of No Climate, No Equity, No Deal. Lastly, Tonika Lewis Johnson will be going over Empowering the Pursuit of Energy Equity Through Storytelling. 

Here is a snapshot of our results summary, our presentations and a look into our work this year in this overview. 

Summer Indoor Thermal Conditions in Chicago Residences without Central AC

Results Summary

• All 10 homes* reached the extreme caution or danger threshold for heat index on 8/24 ​​
  • 7 homes exceeded 103°F (danger) for 2h – 23h on 8/24​​
  • 2 homes (both floors) were in the danger category for 21+ hours on a heat wave day​​
  • Max Temperature: 108°F; Max HI: 120°F​​
  • Upper floors generally warmer and more danger hours compared to lower floors; Max HI differential: 36.8F; Masonry homes had the greatest differentials​​
• Excluding the heat wave days, most spaces experienced temperatures over 80°F during the study​​
  • Ranging from 1% of the time (5 hours) to 34% of the time (354 hours)​​
• Majority staying home during heat waves despite very warm indoor temperatures​​
• All employed multiple adaptive capacity strategies to keep cool​​
• 50% of the participants believed their homes reached unsafe temperatures at times during the summer, yet the results showed all homes hit “extreme caution” or “danger” levels during the worst heat wave

Key Takeaways

There is a need for:

• Greater access to safe conditions and affordable cooling in homes
  • Prioritize home energy upgrades for those without central cooling and have occupants that may be vulnerable
• Better understanding and increased education about risks
• Additional public communications before and during heat events
• Better understand community needs with respect to extreme heat

Presenter: Paige Neri

Designing an Equitable Electrification Program for Small Rental Properties: A Tale from Several Climates

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the Story of Place. Listen to community needs, priorities, and barriers.
• Community engagement. Relationship building, trust, and ongoing engagement is critical to successful implementation.
• Timelines can be longer than expected for the program as well as projects within the program.
• Housing conditions. Building deficiencies can be addressed with diverse funding sources.
• Contractor ecosystem. Program parameters can be difficult and inconvenient for contractors. Both the participating contractors and the program implementers will require patience and flexibility.
• Whole Home Approach. Limit programs to a whole-building approach where deep energy efficiency and electrification without an energy cost increase to low-income residents is the goal.
• Rent stabilization. Rent restrictions built into the program designs should be effective at preserving affordability.

Presenter: Tim Davis

Efficiency Improvements, Price Escalation, Neighborhood Displacement: Strategies to Ensure “Good” Market Transformation Does Not Create “Bad” Market Transformation

Key Takeaways

• Energy efficiency investments and certifications in disadvantaged communities provide an opportunity to begin redressing legacies of injustice.
• Efforts to avoid gentrification should not limit or delay needed investments in underserved communities.
• Implementation of energy efficiency upgrades should aim to ensure benefits can be realized by community residents, working class, and racialized communities, without perpetuating inequitable outcomes.
• Displacement can be avoided through active community engagement and investment.

Presenter: Pamela Brookstein

Demonstration of Decarbonization in Tribal Affordable Housing

Key Takeaways

• Necessity for Tribally Designating Housing Entity (TDHE) collaboration with an energy expert on decarbonization projects to provide data-driven guidance, project management support, and construction oversight,
  • Resident education about the project and how to use equipment
  • Longer project timelines to account for difficulty in procuring clean energy contractors in remote and/or rural areas; and secured funding prior to starting project.

Additional Key Takeaways

• Implementation of the LDF CHA decarbonization projected highlighted critical funding and capacity needs to decarbonize Tribal housing stock. When pursuing federal funding it is important for TDHEs to consider sources of gap funding and explore new funding mechanisms like 48e elective pay. One of the most critical needs in all of the available funding programs discussed in this paper is resources to grow a Tribal workforce to install and maintain new installed equipment.
• Finally, this project is an example of successful Tribal affordable housing decarbonization project that can be referenced as inspiration for future projects across Tribal communities in the Midwest and similar climates.

Presenter: Abby Corso

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