A/EHNC: A Case Study for Energy Efficiency
Helping a Large Midwest Electric Utility Company & Slipstream Build a Foundation for a More Equitable Energy Future
HUSARCH implements technology to conduct on-site assessments
The HUSARCH Team works onsite to verify energy efficiency implementations
Chicago | ongoing
Our Role: Energy Auditors & Program Collaborators
Project Owner: A Large Utility Company
At HUSARCH, we resonate with Slipstream’s mission: to accelerate climate solutions for everyone, making energy efficiency more accessible and equitable.
Since 2018, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Slipstream’s team who administers the Utility Company’s Energy Efficiency Program residential new construction programs. HUSARCH has served as Energy Auditors and Program Collaborators for the Utility Company’s Affordable Housing New Construction (AHNC) and Electric Homes New Construction (EHNC) programs. These programs offer financial incentives to developers, home builders, and owners of affordable and fully electric housing, with the goal of making high-performance buildings more attainable across our communities.
The AHNC & EHNC programs lead a path forward toward making energy efficiency implementations more accessible to more diverse communities. By reducing energy bills and improving building performance through 12 focused measures, they help deliver healthier, more sustainable homes to people who need them most.
Programs with this level of ambition need structure and clarity to thrive. Throughout the life of this project, we have helped fill critical staffing gaps with trained professionals, bring clarity to project workflows, and develop standard templates and quality control processes that helped every project kickoff with more consistency.
Our role includes providing program eligibility calculations, energy modeling, Energy Use Intensity (EUI) analysis, and developing energy specifications that guide each project through the program. Additionally, we serve as the in-field assessors to verify that projects are in compliance throughout the process. We helped streamline efforts behind the scenes so this electric utility company’s investment could go further, and the focus could stay on transforming energy efficiency at scale.
HUSARCH Created Program Efficiencies by:
Tracking project schedules
Calculating Energy Use Intensity (EUIs)
Calculating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Providing and developing consistent QC processes to evaluate and maintain project quality
Overseeing building progress for adherence to program requirements
Producing final summaries
Providing on-the-ground evaluation expertise
Serving as project managers to get projects done on schedule and within budget.
Providing comprehensive energy audits
Why Energy Efficiency Programs Matter
Utility Company Efficiency Programs are critical to advancing large-scale energy efficiency goals and meeting decarbonization targets by giving more people the opportunity to implement more energy saving measures.
Incentive programs help homeowners, building owners, and developers, participate in advancing energy efficiency that otherwise might be out of reach. By offering money to improve insulation, upgrade HVAC systems, install LED lighting, or invest in energy-efficient appliances, Incentive Programs not only offset upfront costs, but they also reduce long-term energy bills - making sustainability more accessible and affordable.
More broadly, Energy Efficiency Programs support statewide energy goals, reduce strain on the electric grid, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create local jobs in the clean energy economy.
Overall, incentive programs turn good intentions into action, making sustainability a practical reality for so many more people and spurring large-scale change.
How can a Utility Company give money back to the consumer?
It might seem counterintuitive for a utility company to pay consumers to use less electricity – so here’s how they can make it happen:
Regulatory Mandates
The IL Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) mandates that utilities meet specific energy savings goals each year, requiring this Utility Company to reduce overall energy consumption.
Save money on building Power Plants
Reducing energy demand through efficiency measures is more cost-effective than building new power plants. Helping customers save energy slows or eliminates the need for new power infrastructure to be built.
Grid Reliability
When buildings use less energy—especially during peak times—it reduces strain on the grid, helping avoid brownouts and improving reliability.
Public Benefit & Sustainability
These programs help lower carbon emissions, reduce utility bills, and support Illinois’ broader clean energy goals. It’s also a way for this Utility Company to show environmental leadership and community investment.
Building or Homeowner looking to take advantage of Rebate Programs? Find more information here.
Why Energy Efficiency Programs matter to HUSARCH
At HUSARCH, we are committed partners to companies advancing energy efficiency and decarbonization measures.
We believe sustainability should be practical, accessible, and actionable. That’s why energy efficiency programs are important to us. They remove financial barriers allowing projects, especially in disinvested communities, to pursue energy-efficient upgrades they might otherwise not be able to afford. These programs make sustainability more than a buzzword – they make sustainability a lived reality.
By helping our clients streamline these programs, we not only improve individual buildings, but we contribute to a broader shift toward more resilient communities. That’s at the heart of what we do: leverage our expertise to build systems that work better for people and the planet.
We’re grateful to have a mission-oriented partnership in Slipstream, committed to making clean, efficient energy accessible for all. By plugging into their team, we’ve been able to do what we do best: organize and streamline complex workflows, provide clear energy modeling and calculations, and supply trained staff who understand what kinds of efficiencies create the biggest impact.
It’s work that lies at the intersection of technical rigor and shared purpose, and we’re proud to play a role in helping Slipstream stretch the reach of every program dollar.
Photography: Kathleen Hinkel
