Most energy efficiency programs target only one fuel, usually electricity or natural gas. While they achieve savings, they sometimes miss opportunities by failing to address other fuels. Dual-fuel programs, on the other hand, have the potential to save more energy, reduce program costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Yet many utilities still do not offer them because they often require collaboration with other utilities or program administrators, making them more difficult to run.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) profiled dual-fuel programs in a 2014 report called Successful Practices in Combined Gas and Electric Energy Efficiency Programs. The current brief takes a closer look at these practices in residential offerings. It highlights innovative program approaches and technologies that can unlock deeper savings across fuels.