Some 2.4 million workers provide energy efficiency services for homes and businesses. Indications are that this sector is being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. With much of the country essentially in home isolation, few want to admit workers into their homes, fearing the spread of the virus.
One New York company that finances home energy efficiency improvements has halted all of its in-home verification and installation activities. The company’s weatherization partners have laid off or furloughed more than 45% of their workforce, and further layoffs are likely. With a widely anticipated recession on the horizon, homeowners will likely be slow to resume energy efficiency projects.