Insights from the 2025 National Home Performance Conference
Last month, several members of the CLEAResult team attended the National Home Performance Conference (NHPC) in New Orleans. This annual event, hosted by the Building Performance Association (BPA), brings together thousands of contractors, program administrators, auditors and other residential energy efficiency professionals to discuss the latest trends and best practices in the energy industry.
Here are some of the key insights and topics that stood out to our team during the conference.
Adapting to policy and funding uncertainty
The conference showcased a mix of optimism and uncertainty due to shifting federal policies and the notable absence of key federal stakeholders, like the Department of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, who typically attend. Nevertheless, being at the 2025 NHPC felt like a gathering of kindred spirits. Residential energy professionals came from all over the country, united in their commitment to shaping the future of energy efficiency and exploring how our industry can continue delivering meaningful benefits to customers. This included promoting collaboration and community-driven solutions while stressing the need for creative approaches to program funding to ensure impact continuity.
Despite questions over the future of some federal initiatives, there was clear interest on the shape of early results from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebate programs delivering energy efficiency and electrification solutions to under-resourced customers across the U.S. One session hosted by CLEAResult’s Todd Miles and Andy Gostisha focused on the early returns in Wisconsin, which launched its initial IRA program last August. Contractors were able to preview what can be expected as other IRA state energy programs ramp up from the lessons learned here on program messaging, overcoming key challenges and more.
Energy efficiency is a multi-dimensional solution
Many sessions focused on the benefits energy efficiency brings beyond energy and cost savings. A presentation led by CLEAResult’s Seth Little, Emily Kemper and Todd Miles underscored how energy efficiency can be a key to addressing grid flexibility and resilience as increased electrical demand continues to be a topic of conversation for energy providers. While program goals and funding may shift, this session urged contractors and program administrators to stay the course – energy efficiency remains the foundation of our sustainable future and the most cost-effective way of reducing impact on the grid.
Health and safety can be another key benefit of energy efficiency initiatives, especially with low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers who face increased health risks from unsafe or unhealthy home conditions. CLEAResult’s Rebeca Barrios-Hurst led a discussion around social determinants of health and how Healthier Homes programs can help customers with more than their electric bill. Check out a similar webinar Rebeca gave last year to learn more about the intersection of energy efficiency and health outcomes.