Sara Conzemius

Founder & Co-Owner

Sara Conzemius is an expert in the design and implementation of energy programs. An awarded industry leader, Sara provides savvy guidance on program design, policy, and EM&V strategy for utilities, states, and private entities. Sara plays key roles in national conversations that drive future program design, leading to a more transformed market. With particular expertise in program policy and residential market channels, Sara applies research expertise, adept project scoping, development, analytical methods, interviewing, and qualitative analysis to energy programs and portfolios across the U.S. and Canada. Sara provides legislative and commission testimony in multiple states and supports national legislation development that is intended to improve energy efficiency in U.S. homes. Sara is a sought-after thought leader, speaker, and strategist.

Sara serves the industry in many leadership roles, including as a founding board member for the Program for the Evaluation and Assessment of Residential Lighting (PEARL), member and then Chairperson of the Board for the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP), Chairperson of the Energy Efficiency Working Group for the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate, Advisor on the development of the State of Wisconsin’s Climate Action Plan’s Equity First Directive, supporting the development of the State of Wisconsin’s first Green Bank on the Green Ribbon Commission, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA).

Sara has given plenary speeches at numerous industry events, including AESP National Conferences and the 2018 Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Industry Partner Meeting. Sara received the prestigious Michael C. Thompson Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for her dedication to the energy efficiency industry and the B.H. Prassad award for her work on behalf of AESP.

sara@illumeadvising.com

Sara is located in Madison, WI.

Related Resources

ILLUME’s First Decade: Memories and Milestones

Join us on a journey down memory lane as we celebrate ILLUME’s first decade! In our latest podcast, our amazing team shares heartfelt reflections, hilarious memories, and unforgettable moments that have shaped our journey. Tune in for stories that capture the essence of who we are and what ILLUME stands for.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.

Growing to Meet the Change – Episode 1

In Episode 1 of this two-part podcast series, ILLUME Founders, Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius discuss how ILLUME is prepared to meet the changes facing the energy industry.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.

In celebration of ILLUME’s ninth anniversary, Co-Founders, Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius, reflect on nearly a decade of work in energy in this episode of Current. They share lessons learned and hint at what’s next for ILLUME.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.

What is in store for the energy industry in 2021? Join ILLUME Co-Founders Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius as they reflect on the lessons of 2020 while they chart ILLUME’s course for 2021.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.

Interview with Terrilyn Simmons

Sara Conzemius talks with Georgia Power’s Terrilyn Simmons about the utility’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, diversity, and the importance of multicultural research.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.

Virtual Focus Group: Energy Contractor Networks

ILLUME talks with energy contractors as households and business owners rethink energy efficiency retrofits and as program administrators and utilities find solutions to get programs and projects back online after COVID-19.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.

Virtual Focus Group with Small Businesses on the Impacts of COVID-19

ILLUME Founders, Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius, talk about the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses ahead of a virtual focus group with entrepreneurs and business owners.
Click on the title to listen to the podcast.

Flattening the Curve: Discussion and Strategies in a Time of COVID-19

ILLUME facilitates a forum as clients ask questions of each other, share ideas, and create the (virtual) connections we need to move successfully through this unprecedented time.
Click on the title to watch the webinar.

What Drives Customers?

In her 2018 presentation at the CEE Partner Meeting, Sara Conzemius shares what customers care about – home, family, harmony, agency. Understanding what influences customers can help implementers offer programs and products that truly connect.
Click on the title to view the presentation.

ENERGY STAR® Retail Products Platform (RPP): Conditions and Considerations in Evaluating Market Transformation Programs and Evaluation Guidance for RPP

In their report for SEE Action, Sara Conzemius and Alex Dunn provide guidance that can be used for estimating energy savings impacts resulting from midstream market transformation programs with specific focus on RPP.
Click on the title to read the report.

Know Before You Go

Sara Conzemius, Anne Dougherty, and Danielle Marquis of SmartWatt describe how up-front investment in market research and segmentation can improve outcomes in small business direct install programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.

Northwest Ductless Heat Pump Initiative: Market Progress Evaluation Report #5

Co-authored by Sara Conzemius and Shannon Kahl. The fifth market progress evaluation of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (NEEA) Ductless Heat Pump Initiative assesses the Initiative’s progress in meeting its market transformation goals.
Click on the title to read the report.

Northwest Ductless Heat Pump Initiative: Market Progress Evaluation Report #4

Sara Conzemius provides an update on the Ductless Heat Pump Initiative for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Click on the title to read the report.

Today is a Transition

This presentation, Sara Conzemius’ keynote from the AESP 25th National Conference, addresses the industry’s disruption and the changes ahead.
Click on the title to view the presentation.

Consumer Message Testing for Ductless Heat Pumps and Heat Pump Water Heaters

Sara Conzemius led this report for NEEA on ductless heat pump message testing.
Click on the title to read the report.

Assessment of Savings and Results for “Kit” Based Energy Efficiency Programming

This white paper by Sara Conzemius and Allison Carlson looks at kit savings and potential.
Click on the title to read the white paper.

Potential Savings for Tier 1 Advanced PowerStrips

A white paper by Sara Conzemius exploring the potential savings and programmatic uses of tier 1 advanced powerstrips.
Click on the title to read the white paper.

Behavioral Energy Feedback Program Evaluation

Anne Dougherty and Sara Conzemius’ white paper from the 2014 IEPEC conference in Berlin proves the need to go further than just assessing energy impacts of behavioral programs.
Click on the title to read the white paper.

A Hand to Hold: A Holistic Approach to Addressing Barriers in the Home Retrofit Market

In this white paper, Sara Conzemius and Laura Schauer describe a pilot that overcame barriers to comprehensive residential retrofits using incentives, a turnkey offering, and an energy advocate.
Click on the title to read the white paper.