Contest Goals:

• Demonstrate, in a dramatic way, the measures that a homeowner could do that pay for themselves through energy bill savings and create other non-energy benefits like comfort, safety, and increased home value.

• Demonstrate the value of a comprehensive, “whole house” approach to energy and environmental savings.

• Motivate homeowners to do their own home energy makeover using local contractors to achieve the type of energy results in the winning homes.

Contest Description:

The Home Energy Makeover Contest will be conducted throughout Charlottesville, VA.

Why Contest Works

Anyone who has watched the home makeover reality television shows knows what a significant promotional opportunity this could be for those who provide home improvement services and products.  Similar Home Energy Makeover Contests conducted in Texas, South Carolina, Oregon, Maine, Colorado and California have proven to be an innovative way to motivate home owners with higher-than-average home energy costs to save by making the “right” home energy improvements.  Unlike other well-known contests this is not a random drawing or a hard luck story.  Rather, the Energy Home Makeover Contest will be based on building science and homeowner efforts while leveraging the existing utility-sponsored energy efficiency program infrastructure.  For examples of past efforts, see www.homeenergymakeover.org.

Some homeowners believe that there is nothing to do but pay the bigger utility bills.  However, energy-related home improvements are a one-time cost that can save homeowners money every month for as long as they own their homes.  These contests will serve to create strong connections with the local media and sponsors and emphasize the positive cash flow nature of the energy retrofits when financing is used. 

Who Should be a Contest Sponsor? 

We are looking for reputable companies and organizations to provide financial and in-kind program support.  Sponsor organizations may include:

• Home improvement and renewable energy product distributors and manufacturers

• Home improvement service providers

• Home improvement/furnishing retailers

• Other business promoting sustainable products and services

All types of sponsor participation will be considered, but in particular, we are looking for donations of: central space heating and air conditioning systems; air sealing and insulation; water heating systems; windows and doors; lighting; and appliances. 

Contest Promotion Activities

Activities may include:

• Dedicated Contest website detailing contest rules and showcasing winning home improvements

• Email communications with special offers to all contest entrants who opt-in

• Television and newspaper coverage that showcases improvements to winning homes

• Open houses for community leaders and media to showcase winning homes

• Case studies on winning homes that focuses on sponsors’ roles for unlimited distribution by sponsor

Participation Levels
Three tiers of participation are available:

Primary level Sponsor - $5,000 or more
This top tier is reserved for organizations that provide a financial and/or in-kind commitment greater than $5,000 in value in return for consideration that may include:

• Participation on Home Energy Makeover Advisory Board that will guide the contest planning as well as finalist and winner selection process

• Organization logo, name and web link prominent on contest web site, printed, and event materials

• High-visibility role offered in all promotional and media activities

• Rights to use completed case studies in your own marketing after the contest

Supporting Sponsor – up to $5,000
This tier is reserved for organizations that provide a lesser financial and/or in-kind commitment in return for consideration that may include:

• Preferential consideration in the planning and selection process

• Organization logo, name and web link on contest web site

• Advance notice of all promotional and media activities

• Rights to use completed case studies in your own marketing after the contest

Promotional Partner
This tier is for organizations that provide promotional support in return for consideration that may include:

• Preferential consideration in the planning and selection process

• Organization logo, name and web link on contest web site

• Advance notice of all promotional and media activities

• Rights to use completed case studies in your own marketing after the contest

To learn more, contact:
 - Ed Thomas, EGIA, (970) 209-8347 or ethomas@utilityexchange.org or
-  Cynthia Adams, Executive Director for LEAP, cynthia@leap-va.org or 434-825-0232.