Evaluation of Programs Aimed at Reducing Natural Gas Consumption

Énergir is the largest natural-gas distributor in the province of Quebec. Since 2009, each year, it has hired Econoler to evaluate its various energy-efficiency programs. These programs are intended for residential, commercial, large-enterprise or low-income customers and provide financial support for buying energy-efficient equipment, undertaking energy-efficient construction and renovation, conducting feasibility studies, implementing energy-efficiency projects, innovation, renewable energy and awareness-raising. 

The evaluation of each of the programs required finding answers to specific research questions, such as the following ones: 

• What is the level of market penetration?

• Does the baseline represent the common practice in the market? 

• What is the incremental cost of the energy-efficient equipment subsidized? 

• Is the structure of the financial aid being offered an effective one?

• Is the program cost-effective?

For each program’s evaluation, Econoler reviewed the parameters used to calculate the energy impacts by doing literature reviews, technical analyses and engineering calculations. Sometimes, Econoler analyzed billing data to determine a key parameter in the calculation of the impact, such as the hours of use of an appliance, or to directly establish the reduction of natural gas consumption.

Assessments targeting appliances, i.e. boilers and water heaters, were also the subject of a market transformation study to analyze the evolution of key market indicators (penetration rates, efficiency standards, costs, replacement technologies, etc.) and establish whether current interventions need to be modified.

Following all this work, the findings and recommendations made by Econoler allowed for improving the programs’ performance, notably by adjusting the eligibility criteria and the financial assistance, identifying the possible solutions to increase the involvement of market players and to appropriately target the remaining potential. Econoler’s analyses also served assess program cost-effectiveness based on the modifications to be made to inform future planning.