Utility Program Solutions | Automated Design Assistance
This premium Utility Program Solutions feature is the only solution in the market which boosts both program visibility and appeal to raters and their builder customers when design decisions are being made. During the energy modeling process, Automated Design Assistance (ADA)recognizes and highlights design choices based on the project configuration and available programs that are beneficial to the project, the program, the utility, and the grid.
What is Automated Design Assistance?
Automated Design Assistance (ADA) is a premium add-on to the most widely used HERS rating software in the country, Ekotrope RATER, that enables utility programs to achieve higher participation and increase energy savings by showing program recommendations to raters in real time. In addition to these real-time upgrade recommendations, Ekotrope automatically generates a customizable report that raters can print and share with their builder clients. Inspired by the curated promotions we see on applications in our daily lives, ADA provides HERS raters with customized energy conservation recommendations that are tailored to i) a specific home design and ii) the local utility program’s goals.
The Problem and the Opportunity
Even with financial incentives, it can be difficult for utilities to encourage builders to go beyond code requirements. Raters help builders understand which rebates and incentives are available, but they are not always up to date with the latest program information. This information gap causes incentive programs to be underutilized and underperform as builders unknowingly fail to meet program requirements.
ADA aims to close the gap between raters, builders, and utility companies by surfacing program recommendations during the energy modeling process, at the critical decision-making stage. It represents a unique way to leverage Ekotrope’s relationship with HERS raters to influence builders’ design decisions.This allows utilities to influence builders to build according to program requirements, increasing builder participation and reducing overall energy consumption.
Ekotrope has partnered with utilities across the country to implement ADA into their residential new construction program, saving them time and money while reducing peak demand. Learn more in the case study below about how ADA allows the Sponsors of Mass Save to reach builders in a way that was previously impossible.
How It Works
Ekotrope Partners with Utility Program to Implement ADA
Ekotrope and the utility go over program goals and determine the scope of specific upgrade measures to support.
Rater Uses Ekotrope as Part of Day-to-Day Process
Ekotrope has the unique ability to meet raters within the most widely used rating tool in the U.S.
ADA Automatically Shows Rater Energy Conservation Recommendations
With access to raters during the most critical point of the home energy modeling process, ADA allows utilities to influence builders’ design decisions.
Builder Constructs More Energy Efficient Homes
ADA helps the utility drive deeper savings, reach more builders, and improve home energy performance.