In collaboration with a major California utility, Franklin Energy and Recurve have proven the effectiveness of a performance-based, measured approach in energy efficiency programs. Pivoting to a meter-based pay-for-performance model in 2020, Franklin delivered incentives based on actual, quantifiable energy savings from a multitude of implementers and projects. Their innovative approach resulted in an average gas reduction of 43% per customer, and peak summer electricity savings of 20%, exceeding projections. The program was extremely simple to implement.

For its electrification initiatives, Franklin relied on Recurve’s meter-based targeting analysis. This analysis showed that customers who used air conditioning in hotter climates were more likely to save on their energy bills by replacing both heating and cooling with an efficient heat pump. By targeting these customers, Franklin was able to eliminate their winter gas use and deliver summer electricity savings at the times when it was dirtiest, most expensive, and posed the highest risk to grid stability.