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Participant-Perspective OPIs
Participants in both low-income and non-low-income programs can realize a variety of
OPIs from energy efficiency programs (NMR 2011, pp. 2-6, 5-1). These OPIs can be
further divided into the following subcategories.
Resource OPIs: energy efficiency can result in reduced water and/or sewage
costs. Resource OPIs can also include heat (or lack thereof) generated by
efficient equipment, as well as other fuel savings or costs (NMR 2011; SERA
2010).
Equipment OPIs: participants often experience efficient equipment performing
better than previous or inefficient equipment, resulting in reduced (or increased)
maintenance costs, improved lighting quality, etc. (NMR 2011, pp. 5-13 – 5-15;
SERA 2010).
Property value: increased property value is frequently recognized as an OPI
associated with program participation. The benefit of increased property value
has been estimated through the value of anticipated ease of selling or renting, or
in some cases, increased resale or rental value. The improved durability and
reduced maintenance for the home is also taken into consideration (NMR 2011,
p.5-16; SERA 2010). 20
Comfort: participants in energy efficiency programs commonly experience
greater perceived comfort, either due to fewer drafts and more steady
temperatures with HVAC equipment, or reduced noise from better equipment.
Improved (or worsened) aesthetics can also be considered comfort OPI (NMR
2011, p.5-9; SERA 2010).
Health and safety: energy efficiency programs may have direct impacts on health
through improved home environments, reduced exposure to hypothermia or
hyperthermia – particularly during heat waves and cold spells – improved indoor
air quality, and potential reductions in moisture and mold, leading to amelioration
of asthma triggers and other respiratory ailments. Reduced incidence of fire and
carbon monoxide exposure are also commonly identified as safety-related
benefits resulting from weatherization. Safety is also improved from better, more
durable lighting equipment (NMR 2011, pp.5-30 – 5-34; SERA 2010; NZ EEAC
2012).
OPIs for owners of low-income rental housing: 21 OPIs can accrue to owners of
low-income rental properties, including marketability/ease of finding renters,
reduced tenant turnover, increase in property value, equipment maintenance for
heating and cooling systems, reduced maintenance for lighting, durability of
property, and reduced tenant complaints (NMR 2011, pp.1-8, 7-1).
20 While increased property value is frequently cited as a significant benefit of home energy retrofit
programs, some parties argue that the increased property value is primarily a function of the reduced
utility bills and that to include both would be double-counting. We include this item in our list in order to
be comprehensive, but caution that the property value NEI should only include those changes in property
value that are not accounted for in the other categories of energy efficiency benefits.
21 It is important to ensure that any impacts included in this category are not double-counting the impacts in
other categories listed here (e.g., reduced maintenance, increased property value).
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