Dan Gross may have gone into the project as a self-proclaimed ‘well-intentioned ignoramus,’ but he came out of the month-long “Efficient Life” experiment ready to put energy efficiency in practice. Weeks ago, the Slate.com writer posed a question to his readers: is there a better way for individuals to live a more energy-efficient life? To reduce their carbon footprints while at the same time reducing utilities bills?

The phrase that was liberally peppered into the expert-led conversation was ‘low-hanging fruit,’ as high-ranking U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) folks, utilities professionals and environmental writers all agreed that adopting energy efficiency into one’s daily routine is so simple that it’s difficult to find a way to communicate its simplicity.

David Katz, special assistant to the secretary at the U.S. DOE, said what is needed to get consumers involved in energy efficiency is a “fundamental shift in social norms,” much like the recycling quagmire of the 90s. By placing a conspicuous blue bin at the foot of one’s driveway, those in sight of the bin were compelled to do the same.

Katz, along with representatives from Grist Magazine, Consolidated Edison of New York and the Natural Resources Defense Council – comprised the panel of experts for the Efficient Life event, hosted at the glam House of Sweden (a cross between a convention center, an embassy and a nightclub). As part of Slate’s inaugural crowd-sourcing experiment – The Hive – guests were invited to listen to the panel and then break off into groups for a more intimate discussion of personal energy efficiency ideas.

The ideas ranged from psychological behavior solutions (using emoticons to influence energy-saving practices) to incentive-based competitions to engage children and adults. The 60-something man beside me at the roundtable chimed in: “My grandson does that Mario Brothers on the computer,” suggesting that competition is an innate human characteristic and should be incorporated into our energy-saving efforts.

A more cynical table buddy felt that reaching consumers with the message that energy efficiency is a no-hassle solution is impossible. Unlike recycling, making home energy efficiency upgrades requires more than separating plastics and garbage and rolling them out to the curb once a week. “You don’t see what your neighbors are doing inside the house,” he said.

The company OPOWER – catapulted to stardom after Obama visited its office in Virginia for a clean jobs speech last week – received recognition for its efforts to compare energy usage with a utility customer’s neighbor, thus providing a report card that grades these customers on how far they deviate from the curve. A statistical glimpse into a neighbor’s energy usage is one way to get a picture of their energy habits.

Katz noted that the government has so far tackled two of the three solutions he outlined for increasing energy efficiency: rebates and education. However, the third solution was the one that seemed to find unanimous consensus among the crowd: increase social pressure to be energy efficient.

It seems funny to think that something as trivial as a big yellow smiley face can significantly lower a consumer’s energy bills. But if the power of guilt and competition is the strongest force in getting consumers to live a more energy-efficient life, then that low-hanging fruit would be easier than ever to grasp – you just have to chuck it at someone else.

Learn more about engaging consumers in energy-saving practices at EE Global’s Executive Dialogue 1C: “Deploying the Most Potent Weapon in the Energy Efficiency Arsenal: The Consumer”

President Obama was careful not to undermine the Home Star program by referring to its adopted media name, ‘Cash for Caulkers.’ That’s because this consumer rebate program, in comparison with its automotive counterpart, isn’t simply meant to stimulate the economy while promoting energy efficiency; this one’s about creating jobs, too.

From manufacturers on down to builders, the Home Star program will infuse jobs into a lackluster building industry that has seen better days. The eye-catching figure: 25 percent unemployment among construction jobs. But here’s the good news:

In Georgia alone, where the press conference was held, Obama cited 300 transportation projects currently in the works. And to create the workforce that can do it, he’s looking to put millions more in technical colleges like the one he toured today in Savannah.

Despite its comprehensive goals, the Home Star program’s roots are embedded in one key word: home. This is not only where the heart is, but the heat, too. So for homeowners looking to buy new furnaces or better-insulated windows, there’s a rebate for that. Need a better HVAC system? There’s a rebate for that, too. In fact, a large number of energy-saving home improvements are among the list for eligible rebates.

Taking a cue from grade school incentive programs, Home Star offers two levels of rebates: Gold Star and Silver Star. The following is a description of Silver Star rebates from the White House:

Consumers looking to have simple upgrades performed in their homes would be eligible for 50% rebates up to $1,000 – $1,500 for doing any of a straightforward set of upgrades, including: insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors.

The maximum amount of rebates per home is $3,000.

The Gold Star rebates are performance-based. This is comprised of “a whole home energy audit and subsequent retrofit tailored to achieve a 20 percent energy savings in [consumers’] homes.”

According to Obama, the end goal of all these rebates is to “foster a secure economic future for middle class families.” He admitted that in order to do so, some upfront costs are unavoidable, as with all major system overhauls (he mentioned education and healthcare, specifically).

How will these rebates reach the hands of consumers? Directly, in many cases, say White House officials. At the point of sale or “the point of engagement with a contractor” the consumer will have access to the rebates.

In total, the program is estimated to cost $6 billion. But the government expects a quick trickle effect to spur job creation.  A home audit encourages contractors; when contractors buy materials they need retailers; and retailers get their supply from manufacturers.

To those afraid of investing in an expensive, energy-efficient heating system, Obama says fear not. With the Home Star program, consumers “will get their money back.”

Learn more about energy efficiency retrofits at EE Global’s Executive Dialogue Session 3A: Buildings, Breaking New Ground: Economic Recovery Through Efficiency Retrofits.