When you think about energy efficiency, you might picture complex upgrades—new heat pump water heaters, insulation, advanced HVAC systems. And while those measures are essential for long-term energy savings, they’re not where the story begins.
For many financially constrained households, the first step toward energy efficiency isn’t a major home retrofit, it’s something much simpler and more tangible: an energy efficiency kit.
Franklin Energy’s latest report, Optimizing Modern Energy Programs for Financially Constrained Households, confirmed something that’s long been true but rarely centered in program design: for low-income families, accessibility and immediacy matter most.
Eighty-four percent of participants reported needing home repairs before qualifying for traditional programs. Roof leaks, unsafe wiring, or pest issues often stand in the way. Kits can play a role in bridging that gap while serving as steppingstones for future program engagement by putting savings tools directly into their hands—no contractor, no waiting period, no landlord approval required.
Thirty-seven percent of economically disadvantaged families will participate in efficiency programs where engagement starts with an energy audit and a kit. Kits might seem small, but their impact is big. Each one delivers quick wins: lower bills, improved comfort, and a sense of satisfaction. Inside are simple, easy-to-install items like LED bulbs, weatherstripping, window insulation kits, and faucet aerators. The kinds of convenient upgrades customers say make an immediate difference in their lives and homes.
Engaging customers with kits works best when the packaging and messaging focus on the experience—inviting visuals, relatable language, and easy-to-install products that make life more comfortable and convenient. Rather than leading with energy savings, emphasize what people feel: comfort, convenience, and wellbeing.
When kits highlight the experience—simple installs, clear instructions, and visible benefits—participation skyrockets. The most successful programs make the kit feel like a gift, not a box of to-dos.
At Franklin Energy, we’re reimagining kits as experience-forward engagement tools. Each detail reinforces confidence and self-efficacy—from mood-setting visuals and multilingual guides to QR codes linking to short, how-to videos that show exactly where and how to install each item.
An efficiency kit isn’t a finish line, it’s an invitation. Once households use their kits, they’re far more likely to take the next step, like scheduling a home assessment or participating in a turnkey heat-pump upgrade.
For renters—who make up 57% of low-income households—kits can offer home improvements that are easily installed without landlord permission. That makes them a vital program entry point for households historically left out of the clean energy conversation.
And when distributed through trusted community partners like tribal councils, nonprofits, and local agencies, they do more than save energy. They build relationships and community connection.
As a product team, our goal is to make efficiency both accessible and exciting. Kits do exactly that. They remove barriers, deliver instant results, and spark curiosity about what comes next.
By presenting efficiency as a lifestyle and a well-being-oriented upgrade we’re redefining how utilities engage low-income customers. And we’re proving that simple solutions create meaningful change.
If you’re ready to see this impact firsthand put savings directly into your customers’ hands by reserving your free sample kit today.
It’s an easy first step to turning strategy into measurable impact—and to proving that energy efficiency can start with something as simple as opening a box.