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With a troubled economy, rising energy prices and growing concerns about global warming, now is the time for Home Performance contractors and allied businesses to join forces in support of a smart, market-driven approach to reducing residential energy use and creating green-collar jobs for American workers. As a member of Efficiency First, you will add your voice to this crucial public policy debate, and help our nation build a strong 21st-century economy based on clean, renewable energy.

Membership Levels

Home Performance Contractor - $250

Contactor membership is open to companies or sole proprietors engaged in Home Performance retrofitting in accordance with EPA guidelines, including before and after testing procedures, combustion safety testing, and a house-as-a-system approach incorporating multiple remediation measures. Contractor members may be general contractors who oversee subcontractors, or businesses that run internal crews to conduct retrofitting projects on homes. Contractor members must be licensed and insured as required by their state or jurisdiction of operation. Member benefits include:

  • Business listing in Efficiency First's searchable online member database
  • Use of the Efficiency First logo on Web sites and other marketing materials
  • Full voting rights in the association, including board member elections
  • E-mail updates on industry standards and public policy
  • Access to Efficiency First Webinars and conference calls
  • Discounts on publications and services from other Efficiency First members

Supporting Sponsor - $1,000

Members at the $1,000 level receive all of the benefits of our basic Home Performance Contractor membership along with enhanced promotion on the Efficiency First Web site and access to sponsor-level conference calls regarding lobbying activities and energy policy. Benefits include:

  • Expanded listing in the Efficiency First online member database, including company logo
  • Use of the Efficiency First Supporting Sponsor logo on Web sites and other marketing materials
  • Full voting rights in the association, including board member elections
  • E-mail updates on industry standards and public policy
  • Access to Efficiency First Webinars and conference calls

Capitol Circle - $10,000

Members at the premier Capitol Circle level serve an integral role in shaping the future of the association, with direct input on policy decisions and lobbying activities at the state and national levels. Capitol Circle members participate in monthly legislative conference calls with the Efficiency First lobbyist and board members to discuss strategies and set priorities. Additional benefits include:

  • Premier listing with company logo on the Efficiency First Web site
  • Additional promotion with company logo on Efficiency First publications and marketing materials, including e-mail newsletters, blogs, Webinars and trade show displays.
  • Use of the Efficiency First Capitol Circle member logo on Web sites and other marketing materials
  • Full voting rights in the association, including board member elections
  • E-mail updates on industry standards and public policy
  • Access to Efficiency First Webinars and conference calls

Allied Supporter - $250

The Allied Supporter membership category is for affiliated businesses and services that are not directly involved in Home Performance retrofitting, including HERS raters, energy auditors, home performance evaluators, home inspectors, real estate agents and product manufacturers or suppliers. Allied Supporters are entitled to:

  • Free listing in Efficiency First's searchable online member database
  • Use of the Efficiency First logo on Web sites and other marketing materials
  • E-mail updates on industry standards and public policy
  • Access to Efficiency First Webinars and conference calls


Join online or download the printer-friendly member registration form

Why Join Efficiency First?

  • Your membership dues will support ongoing lobbying efforts on behalf of the Home Performance industry, including a federal representative in Washington, D.C.
  • E-mail updates, Webinars, conference calls and other member communications will help you stay abreast of policy issues that will impact your business.
  • Potential customers and business partners can learn about your services via Efficiency First's searchable online membership database.
  • The Efficiency First logo on your Web site and marketing materials will identify your business as a qualified member of America's Home Performance workforce.
  • National and regional public relations activities will build awareness of the benefits of Home Performance retrofits.
  • Your business will receive discounts on publications and services from other Efficiency First members, including 20% off of print or online subscriptions to Home Energy Magazine.
  • Discounted membership opportunity with EnergySavvy.com, our partner dedicated to internet marketing to homeowners.

Are Efficiency First Membership Dues Tax Deductible?

Efficiency First is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(6) trade association that is actively engaged in lobbying federal, state and local governments on behalf of America's Home Performance workforce. Amounts paid to the association are not deductible as charitable contributions, but may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to exclusion for lobbying activity. Because a portion of your dues is used for lobbying (39 percent in 2009), that percentage is not deductible for income tax purposes. Therefore, 61 percent of your dues payment may be deductable as a ordinary and necessary business expense.

Still Have Questions About Efficiency First Membership?

Please call us at (866) 959-9811 or e-mail .


Key Accomplishments

  • Over 720 members in all 50 states as of February 2010
  • 41 members participated in national lobbying days in Washington, D.C.
  • Assisted John Doerr in preparation for his report to PERAB on HOME STAR
  • Leading the way to build a coalition of partners to endorse HOME STAR
  • Six plus opinion pieces appearing in major U.S. newspapers
  • Nine Capitol Circle members
  • 19 state, local and regional chapters
    • California (separate chapters for Southern California, North Bay and San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mid-Atlantic, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont and Washington State
    • Seven chapters have sub-working groups
      • Working groups focus on creating local jobs and providing input for local governments regarding PACE bond or California AB811 programs
      • Local marketing committees
      • Provide citizen outreach to state legislatures, governors' offices and State Energy Programs
  • Input into McKinsey & Company report, "Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy"
  • Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance Program (REEP)
    • Passed the U.S. House as part of the American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009
    • Passed the U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee as part of the American Clean Energy Leadership Act
    • REEP as a separate bill in the U.S. House H.R. 1778 with over 60 sponsors
  • Engaged the services of Kara Rinaldi of Environmental Resources Management as a government affairs consultant based in Washington, D.C. Rinaldi is the former Director of Government and Public Affairs for Owens Corning and the Senior Director of Policy for the Alliance to Save Energy.
  • Industry Best practices
    • Conducted in-depth case studies of nine municipal home retrofit programs
    • Preparing two sets of white papers written for two intended audiences: program managers and designers, and Home Performance contractors
    • Focus on the areas of finance and incentives, workforce development, business models, and program marketing
  • Working relationships with federal departments of Energy, Labor and Housing and Urban Development, and with the Environmental Protection Agency on Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and workforce development
  • National Partnerships: HOME STAR coalition, Alliance for Climate Change, Clean Tech Business Coalition, National Save Energy Coalition, Utility & Exchange Commission
  • Industry Marketing test programs to launch in February