Home Energy Pros is an online community of over 2,500 home performance and weatherization professionals from 53 countries and every US state. Members use the site to share ideas, experiences, knowledge and resources through 700 discussions, 500 blogs, 1000 photos and 220 videos that have received over 12,000 views. The site aims to help members solve problems by maintaining vibrant engagement through focused topical content, encouraging influencers to participate, and rewarding member contributions.

1. Diane Chojnowski Evan Mills
Usability.org Berkeley Lab
Online Communities Creating Change: HomeEnergyPros.lbl.gov Kath Straub
Usability.org
Tom White
Home Energy Magazine
Home Energy Pros is a global, on-line community where
home performance and weatherization professionals share Hot Topics - Forum & Groups
ideas, experiences, knowledge and resources • The Science of Hot Air Rising
• The End of Profits for Auditors
Personalized • DOE Home Energy Score
Home Page • Fun with Neutral Pressure Planes
Member Map Social Media
Integration
Members live
in 53 countries Forum
and every US State. Discussion
Blogs
Blogs
User 2500 members have started 700 discussions and shared Industry leaders and Topical
peers post on topics
Engagement 500 blogs, 1000 photos and 220 videos with 12,000 views.
from building science
Groups
November 2012 to energy efficiency in
168,000 people visited HEP 282,000 times to read 817,000 pages.
multifamily dwellings
Hall of Shame
Member Members visit 2-4 times/week to follow forums, blogs and groups. War stories and advice
requests in shared photos.
Feedback Nearly 50% participate in the dialogue.
January 2012
25% repost HEPros content to their own social media streams.
Events
50% say Home Energy Pros helped them solve a problem Photo
such as which tools/materials to invest in, how to communicate better Gallery
with customers and which construction approaches work better.
5 Steps to Building and Maintaining a Vibrant Community Video
Gallery
1. Stay on topic. Stay on topic. Know your members' interests. Keep content focused.
2. Encourage Influencers. Invite industry leaders to share their experience.
3. Keep it fresh. Fresh content keeps the conversation lively.
4. Pull them back. Send regular emails with links to hot topics.
5. Make the members the stars. Reward contributors by promoting their content.
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro
(sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act) and is brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine