2016 marks another strong year for increases in the regional ductless market.  With 10,524 total sales in Q3, quarterly sales were 14% higher than in Q3 2015;  we anticipate continued growth in Q4. Since 2008, together we've achieved 153,319 sales and installations in the region.

 

The proportion of total sales continues to outpace the proportion of utility rebated sales, with total year over year sales increasing by 21%, and rebated sales staying relatively flat at 0.10%. T his is likely a sign that the market is transforming to a point where installers have learned to sell systems without rebates and customers see the value in the technology.

 

In addition to increasing the ductless share of the Northwest market, the Project also partnered with you to raise the profile of DHPs in retail and amongst installers. 31 utility partners participated on Mitsubishi clings in 56 The Home Depot locations,  31 utilities participated on Lennox clings in 43 Costco locations, 13 requested ductless displays, and at least 48 promoted ductless technology or promotions directly to their customers.

 

We could not achieve the growth of ductless systems in the region we've seen without the participation and support of our utility partners. On behalf of the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project team, thank you for all your work and leadership to help accelerate adoption of ductless heating and cooling systems. Happy holidays!

 

Suzi Asmus, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)

The Project's 2017 planning is in full swing. After completing operations planning, which includes consultation with the ductless heat pump  utility Workgroup, the Project identified three key focus areas and strategies for next year:

We look forward to collaborating with you to continue accelerating adoption of ductless heat pumps in the Northwest.

The Project has several new marketing tools to support your ductless heating and cooling system educational and promotional activities. We worked with the ductless heat pump Workgroup and marketing counterparts to help shape these tools to meet utility partners' needs.

Partnering with The Heat Pump Store, the Project created four testimonial videos featuring actual ductless heat pump customers expressing satisfaction with ductless heat pumps, selecting an installer and the installation process. Word of mouth and peer reviews are powerful tools. You can use these videos to promote ductless systems to your customers on your website, on your social media platforms and in your digital communications and advertising.

View and download the videos

Contact Jill  

The new year is almost here, and Hot Water Solutions is planning for 2017 HPWH activities . Through NEEA's Operations Planning process, which includes working with the HPWH Workgroup, we identified key focus areas for 2017:

• Increase supply chain adoption of HPWHs to achieve 27,500 sales
• Expand emergency replacement market
• Support national HPWH activities
• Broaden supply chain and consumer awareness

As we move forward in 2017, the team will share specific activities, market developments, and tools you can leverage to continue our regional efforts to accelerate HPWH adoption.

Contact Jill

Hot Water Solutions concluded our first full media and consumer education and awareness campaign, and completed our first consumer educational videos in consultation with the HPWH Workgroup.

The Hot Water Solutions media campaign ran in two flights during Q2 and Q3, with all media focusing on the benefits of HPWHs. The campaign included a mix of digital and print advertising:

All tactics outperformed industry averages or benchmarks. Many consumers engaged through mobile devices and ads; targeting consumers in an emergency replacement scenario drove higher performance. Hot Water Solutions will use these findings as we develop the 2017 marketing plan.

Hot Water Solutions developed videos with input from the utility Workgroup to educate consumers on the benefits of HPWHs. The full-length, 72-second video includes messaging about:

There is also a 30-second video focusing on a couple of these points, and four 15-second videos on individual benefits. Utilities and market partners can link to the videos, or download and embed them in their websites to spread the word to consumers. We also customized videos for 14 utilities with their logo and call to action. If you would like a customized video for your utility, please contact Jill .

View the and download the videos

2016 has been a productive year for promotions, especially Q4. Below is a summary of active promotions. Utility FAQs and promotion packets for all promotions are available here . Hot Water Solutions is currently discussing 2017 promotion opportunities with manufacturers. 

Consumers can save up to $400 instantly  on the Tier 3 A. O. Smith family of products in wholesale through March 31, 2017. Consumers can locate an installer here . Installers can access the promotion at these distributors:

To support this promotion, Hot Water Solutions collaborated with A. O. Smith to implement the '5 for 5' offer through the A. O. Smith contractor rewards platform. A. O. Smith certified installers who purchase five units can receive a $500 Visa gift card. So far we've seen uptake with at least 15 installer companies; it will be available through March 31, 2017.

 

Consumers can save up to $500 instantly on Reliance Tier 3 units through March 31, 2017. This savings combines a Hot Water Solutions markdown with additional savings from some of our independent retail partners. Reliance is sold through small independent retailers including:

To support this promotion, Hot Water Solutions collaborated with Reliance, retailers and 17 utilities to implement a direct mail campaign, directing customers to their local participating retailer. The majority of mailers were delivered the second week of December, and the remainder will be in mailboxes the second week of January.

 

Hot Water Solutions is working with the A. O. Smith Kenmore and Whirlpool brands to bring additional Tier 3 promotions to the retail channel at locations like Sears and Lowe's. We will announce more as details are confirmed in Q1 2017.

Consumers can save up to $400 instantly on Rheem, Richmond and Ruud Tier 3 units through March 31, 2017. Installers can access this promotion at participating distributors:

To support this promotion, Hot Water Solutions partnered with Rheem to deliver 10 installer trainings. More than 110 installers and distributors attended, and 20 utilities participated by presenting rebate program information. The events built momentum with the installer community. If you're interested in training for your area, please let Jill know so Hot Water Solutions can coordinate.

Consumers can save up to $300 instantly on GeoSpring Tier 2 units through March 31, 2017. Pricing and participation vary by location; find Northwest GE retailers or wholesalers here , and access Utility FAQ and Promotion Packet here .