Approach to Work

Program Summary

Our on-site energy assessments provide customized recommendations for energy efficiency measures and upgrades. Direct recommendations might include direct-install mechanical plug-in timers and behavioral measures. Contractor recommendations might include internet enabled thermostats, and lighting controls management and other energy efficiency measures.

Our programs are innovative. Our programs have proven effective in increase participation in, awareness of, and adoption of energy efficiency solutions for underperforming buildings in historically underserved communities. 

Gemini doesn't do jargon. We establish relationships in neighborhoods by hiring local energy ambassadors to promote the SCE program in a cost-effective manner. Gemini also hires and trains data collectors to perform the energy assessments directly from the community, maintaining our focus on developing a minority-driven workforce.

Marketing & Outreach

We ally with trusted community leaders: local religious institutions, community-based non-profits, and business associations to host gatherings for and disseminate information to targeted customers in a cost-efficient manner. 

Addressing Barriers

Gemini’s Programs are designed to reach small & mid-size customers in a cost-efficient manner, while mitigating acquisition cost via a community-based marketing approach. The primary barriers are listed below:

Information/ Search Costs: 

• Once a customer is informed about how much money new energy efficiency devices and systems will cost compared to their current set-up, they're empowered to make energy efficiency choices in the near and long-term. Since Gemini hires local workers, the messenger is more trustworthy than an outside consultant.

Performance Uncertainties:

• The use of sensors to measure the schedules of light, HVAC, equipment, and motors provides a higher-level of confidence in the estimated savings. Additionally, following any contractor installation, a supplemental review is done by the area manager of that region as part of our Quality Assessment process. 

Hiring Local

​Gemini believes that representation matters; thus, our programs not only focus on disadvantaged communities but hiring local employees and utilizing local, minority-owned contractors as well. This involves identifying disadvantaged, high-density zip codes and then hiring and training workers who reside in those regions.

​To help facilitate the hiring and training process, Gemini will partner with workforce development groups.

Transaction Costs.

• ​Many small & medium-sized building owners do not have the capital -- or access to non-predatory loans -- to invest in energy efficiency.  Our program mitigates this barrier by:

1. Directly installing mechanical plug-in timers during the assessment and...
2. Connecting customers with a closed, trusted network of contractors that offer fair, low-cost thermostat and light control improvements.

Access to Financing.

• Our direct-install measures will be free to the customer, eliminating the initial upfront cost of implementing energy efficiency upgrades. All contractor installations will receive incentives for projects installed using NMEC to determine energy savings. Financing support such as California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (CHEEF) will also be introduced to the customers as options to encourage future work i.e., spillover.

Utilities

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