Leveraging Data to Support a Sustainable and Scalable Low-income Energy Efficiency Program

As a mission-driven public utility serving nearly 2 million low-income households, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has worked tirelessly over the last several years to design and test new models for implementing income-qualified energy efficiency programs. Using an innovative, partnership-based funding model, TVA created the Home Uplift Program that provides no-cost energy upgrades for low-income households. These improvements are designed to enhance home energy performance, improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort, optimize occupant safety, and reduce total energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Through Home Uplift, TVA aspires to facilitate market transformation in energy program delivery for low-income communities. By collaborating with local power companies, regional and national corporations, state and local governments, research institutions and others, TVA is tapping into the power of partnerships to improve energy affordability and health outcomes. Part of this work includes tapping into the power of data to quantify the non-energy impacts to participating households. In partnership with research firm Three3, TVA has undertaken a multiyear study involving scientific, in-depth participatory research of Home Uplift participants.