In 2024, Energy Trust helped multifamily property owners facilitate nearly 100 free educational workshops for their renters. These workshops provided nearly 900 Oregon renters with the tools and confidence to save energy and lower their monthly utility costs.

According to a recent Energy Trust customer participation study, people who rent, especially those with low to moderate incomes, are significantly more likely than homeowners to report feeling worried about paying their energy bills or uncomfortable in their homes on very cold or very hot days. However, renters have limited opportunity to install energy-saving equipment in their own unit or building.

To better meet renters’ needs, Energy Trust offers Strategic Energy Management (SEM), which is designed to help multifamily property owners find ways to use less energy in their buildings without making expensive capital upgrades. One of the biggest savings opportunities is to engage the building’s residents.

That’s why Energy Trust helps multifamily property managers who participate in SEM host educational workshops where renters can learn where their energy comes from, how to read their energy bill and no- or low-cost tips to save energy.

“There is a lot that people can do to take control over their energy bill without spending money or replacing equipment,” said Kathleen Belkhayat, Energy Trust program manager. “These workshops provide residents with the agency and confidence to reduce their energy consumption. They can take that knowledge anywhere they live.”

Workshops are offered in both summer and winter, with seasonally specific content to empower renters to make their homes more comfortable and reduce energy usage. Energy Trust provides participating multifamily property owners with a facilitator, curriculum and take-home kits for residents that include items that help them feel more comfortable in extreme weather, such as blankets and coolers, and items that can help them save energy, such as LED lightbulbs and smart power strips.

To make these workshops more accessible, Energy Trust supports interpretation in multiple languages. So far, 14 workshops have been hosted in languages other than English, including Spanish, Mandarin and Farsi.

Energy Trust plans to expand access to these workshops in the future by offering them in more languages and partnering with community organizations that work with renters to reach more customers.