Azra Siddiqui
Username
Azra Siddiqui
Proposer First Name
Lorenzo
Proposer Email
lorenzo.macaluso@cetonline.org
Proposer Last Name
Macaluso
Proposer Company/Organization
Center for EcoTechnology
Proposer Phone
(413) 218-1543
Proposer Job Title
Chief Growth Officer
Boston 2023 Areas of Focus
Proposed Session Description
CET is excited to share the results of a 2+ year pilot aimed at scaling weatherization of existing commercial buildings in MA. This DOER funded effort featured a partnership of several installers and PA's, working together with CET to identify and overcome barriers to this critical measure. We will share our top lessons learned, a tool developed to compress the timeline from assessment to contract, and an updates on how this pilot is now informing implementation.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Small businesses have been identified as an under severed customer segment by the Mass Save Equity Working group. Lorenzo (the proposed speaker) has presented to this committee, and spoke early in the pilot about its initial efforts. In addition, through the pilot, several businesses in EJ communities were served and the finding and resulting go-to-market approaches are increasing participation by small and micro businesses, and in EJ communities.
Learning Objectives
Describe the strategies to overcome pre-weatherization barriers in commercial buildings.
Explore partnerships to effectively and efficiently meet goals.
Examine factors that combine building science with programmatic guidelines for the best outcome for the customer.
Recognize the key points in the sales cycle that impact total elapsed time from initial meeting to project completion.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Recommended Length
60-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
We are excited to share this information and I would be happy to think creatively about format or even combining with other submissions if the committee thinks it would make a more compelling session. I would also like to add that while the pilot was focused on commercial buildings, we found some unexpected success in mixed use buildings. These building types are overlooked and often served in an artificial patchwork, resulting from restrictive program design. CET has scratched the surface of overcoming this hurdle and intends to also address this complicated building type.
Reviewer 1
Heath, Anna
Proposal #
120
Committee Decision
Rejected
Presenters
Full Description
In Massachusetts, small businesses represent 97 percent of commercial and industrial energy customers and 40 percent of energy use in the state, yet they are underserved by the Mass Save program, particularly when it comes to weatherization. We know that weatherization is a critical step in the path to electrification, and it is so important for the building to be well insulated for the customer to have a positive comfort and economic experience. My understanding is the the conference is interested in more retrofit-focused content and we have data, market approach, and an update on uptick in performance since the pilot to share.