Are you still using subject matter experts to lecture consumers about renewable energy and energy conservation? Let’s Turn the Lights Off Program, if your answer is “yes,” I have another question: “What percentage of those consumers are actually taking action?”
I can answer that for you: A very small percentage.
Why Lectures Fall Short
Lectures provide information, but they don’t ensure comprehension or give consumers the confidence to implement what they’ve heard. Yes, what they’ve “heard,” not what they’ve truly “learned.” Learning happens when new skills are practiced and applied.
If we want to move this country toward renewable energy and better energy conservation, consumers need more than just information. They must know exactly what to do, how to do it, and have the chance to practice those skills before they leave the training. Otherwise, the session is just a waste of time and money.
The National Compressed Air Challenge’s Lesson
The National Compressed Air Challenge recognized this issue early on. War stories and lectures from subject matter experts weren’t changing compressed air practices in the industry.
Compressed air is not free, but for years, workers kept equipment running when it wasn’t in use. Many installed the wrong air compressors or failed to maintain them properly. Why? They didn’t fully understand how the system worked or how much their poor practices cost.
The Challenge discovered that skill-building learning activities had a much greater impact. Participants who engaged in active learning showed measurable improvements in energy efficiency and cost savings.
The Importance of Hands-On Learning
We still needed subject matter experts, but they had to move beyond just lecturing. We trained these experts on why engaging participants was essential and how to facilitate hands-on activities. Their training went far beyond the traditional lecture format.
The training materials and worksheets we used also played a crucial role. A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) evaluation revealed that a large number of participants applied the materials directly to improve their compressed air systems.
In fact, DOE found that for every dollar spent, the training delivered over $80 in energy savings. This was their highest-rated program.
Make a Real Difference in Energy Usage
I designed that training program and taught the experts how to facilitate it effectively. If you truly want to see consumers take action on energy usage, you need to train them to apply what they learn.