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The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions have new goals, plans, and opportunities for utilities to take advantage of in 2017. Read on to learn more about how last year concluded and what's coming next for ductless heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.
Go to NW Ductless Heat Pump Project Updates
Go to Hot Water Solutions Updates |
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2017 QUALITY ASSURANCE WEBINAR
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Join the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions on Wednesday, March 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PST to learn more about quality assurance (QA) protocols for ductless heat pump systems and heat pump water heaters and hear from regional utility partners about their QA programs.
- Ductless heat pumps: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. PST
- Heat pump water heaters: 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PST
Register Here
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UPCOMING UTILITY UPDATE WEBINAR
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Join the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions on Thursday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to review 2016 highlights, learn about 2017 program and marketing plans and how your utility can leverage and participate in market promotions.
- NW Ductless Heat Pump Project: 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
- Hot Water Solutions: 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Register Here
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ANNUAL MARKET PROGRESS EVALUATION REPORT ACTIVITIES
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NEEA's annual Market Progress Evaluation Report (MPER) process is underway. This year marks the sixth MPER for the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and the third for Hot Water Solutions. Each MPER may include interviews with stakeholders, including utility partners. Some of you may be asked for an interview. Please contact ductless program manager,
Suzi Asmus,
or heat pump water heater program manager,
Jill Reynolds
, with any questions.
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NW DUCTLESS MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
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The Northwest closed out 2016 with strong ductless heat pump sales, driving the region to start 2017 in the right direction. Below is a recap of 2016 and highlights of 2017 plans and achievements so far.
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The region continued to experience steady ductless market growth last year. Key 2016 progress indicators include:
- 9,816 utility incented-sales in 2016; 3% increase over 2015
- The team is still collecting data from distributors to get total sales
- Completed three regional promotions, including LG and Carrier's first Northwest promotions
- Nine utilities participated in at least one of the three regional market promotions
- 31 utilities participated in Mitsubishi DHP display unit informational clings at 56 Northwest Home Depot locations
- 13 utilities received Mitsubishi ductless displays
- Presented NW ductless market information at annual installer events sponsored by three manufacturer/distributors:
- LG/Thrifty Supply
- Mitsubishi/Gensco
- Daikin/Thermal Supply/Mar-Hy/Johnstone Supply
- Saw increased investment in the Northwest by Haier, LG and Panasonic
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The Project will continue focusing on improving ductless system cost-effectiveness for utility programs, identifying opportunities to reduce installation costs and increase savings. Boosting consumer confidence in ductless systems with new consumer education tools on
GoingDuctless.com
will be a key goal. Here are some Q1 developments:
- Implemented a new promotion support solicitation process with manufacturer partners
- Participating in five manufacturer-distributor events for installers during Q1, and inviting more than 38 utilities in nearby areas to join
Utility participation and engagement in ductless market activities is a key piece of program plans. We look forward to continuing collaboration with you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Contact Suzi, Ductless Program Manager
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NORTHWEST DUCTLESS PROMOTIONS
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.... are on their way! As we mentioned above, the team implemented a new promotion support solicitation process for 2017. To make the best use of Project resources, we asked manufacturer partners to develop promotion proposals and to make their 2017 commitments in Q1.
The Project will collaborate with the market partners to maximize the funding and support available in the region. Six manufacturers responded to the solicitation and the Project will support at least three promotions in the region. Discussions are still underway; stay tuned for details!
We know many utilities have unique needs when it comes to participating in manufacturer promotions and we continue to work to improve our approach to support the widest array of utilities and customers who can benefit.
Contact Suzi Asmus
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Over the last year, the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project worked with utility and market partners to develop valuable marketing tools and resources to support ductless activity in the region. Read on to see what's new!
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This new tool serves as a quick, at-a-glance comparison of electric space heating options. You can customize the tool to reflect your utility's ductless rebate information and cost of energy rates when customers select your utility as their service provider.
View the tool here and you can download the customization guide here
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The Best Practices Guide on GoingDuctless.com has been updated to reflect recent changes to the Bonneville Power Administration's Implementation Manual. Please update the links on your website or re-post so your utility's website features the current version.
Download the guide
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Here's a quick reminder of some of the newer resources available to support your utility's ductless marketing activities.
- Testimonial videos - to help consumers feel confident about the ductless purchase process
- Image library - to provide ample, professional options for the region
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ORIENTED INSTALLER LIST UPDATES
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As a part of routine maintenance, the Project reviewed the oriented installer list for installation companies who may no longer meet Project expectations. The team identified at risk installer companies and made a concerted effort to contact companies to request their compliance.
After this process, the Project found 55 installation companies currently not in compliance. They were removed from the Installer Finder on
GoingDuctless.com
as of March 1, 2017. We encourage you to remove them from your utility's local installer list as well.
See the list on Conduit
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NORTHWEST HPWH MARKET UPDATES
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The region is beginning 2017 in an excellent position to grow the HPWH market with diverse, efficient product offerings and engaged manufacturer partners. We are well poised to meet our aggressive sales targets by working together. Utility participation and engagement is a critical component of HPWH market success across the board, and we look forward to collaborating with you this year. Below is a recap of 2016 and highlights of what's new for 2017.
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While the HPWH market underwent significant changes last year, the region continued to increase HPWH adoption and market growth with success indicators including:
- 77 utilities offered HPWH rebate programs in 2016, a 57% increase over 2015
- 75 Tier 3 products were added to the Advanced Water Heater Specification Qualified Products List
- Four promotions completed in partnership with three Tier 2 or higher manufacturers
- 6,910 total program-incented sales achieved in 2016; 42% increase over 2015
- 81% of promotion sales occurred in areas with access to utility rebates
- 25 installer education events implemented in partnership with two manufacturers, with participation from 22 utilities
- 17 utilities participated in promotional direct mail activity in partnership with one manufacturer and five retailers
- 13 installers participated in the 'pro-deal' activity which provided free product to installers
- Partnered with A. O. Smith to offer installer rewards on HPWH purchase; this offer quickly and positively impacted sales
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2016 product markdowns are in place through March 31, 2017. Hot Water Solutions is currently working with manufacturers to update the upstream incentive structure to accommodate the dramatically increased sales target in 2017. In addition to the markdown, the team will work extensively in both wholesale and retail channels to increase stocking, staff knowledge and sales skills of HPWHs. Hot Water Solutions will communicate changes to incentives as soon as possible.
Until March 31, consumers and installers can save on HPWHs with the following opportunities:
- Up to $400 savings on all Tier 3 A. O. Smith Voltex and State units through participating distributors
- Up to $500 savings on all Tier 3 Reliance units through participating retailers
- Up to $300 in Hot Water Solutions funded savings on Tier 3 Rheem 50- and 80- gallon units at The Home Depot
- Up to $400 savings on all Tier 3 Rheem units through participating distributors
- Up to $300 savings on Tier 3 GE GeoSpring units at Lowe's
Full promotion details, including participating retailers and distributors and supporting resources, are available to utility partners
here
. Individual retailers and distributors determine pricing; there may be variance in the region.
Contact Jill, HPWH Program Manager
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CHANGES TO QUALIFIED PRODUCTS LIST
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Hot Water Solutions recently updated the Advanced Water Heater Specification (AWHS) Qualified Products List to reflect:
- New sizing guidelines based on number of occupants in the home
- Differentiate Uniform Energy Factor NC and Energy Factor NC efficiency ratings
The team is working to update all relevant materials to reflect these changes; we expect the update to be complete in Q2. For more details about these changes, read the article on Conduit
here
. As a reminder, there are now more than 80 Tier 3 products on the AWHS Qualified Products list from A. O. Smith's family of brands, Bradford White, GE, and Rheem.
See the Qualified Products List
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NEW IMAGES IN HPWH IMAGE LIBRARY
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To reflect the changing HPWH market landscape, Hot Water Solutions conducted a photoshoot incorporating Tier 3 products currently available to consumers. The team removed branding from all new lifestyle and product shots so your utility's marketing pieces can remain neutral.
Login to the Image Library
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CONSUMER EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
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Hot Water Solutions developed videos with input from the utility workgroup to educate consumers on the benefits of HPWHs. The team released these videos to the region in Q4 2016. The full-length, 72-second video includes messaging about:
- HPWH benefits
- Saving energy and money
- Utility rebates, tax credits, and market promotions
A 30-second version and four 15-second versions focus on more specific points in these categories. Utilities and market partners can link to the videos or download and embed them in their websites to spread the word to consumers. A couple utilities already have, let us know if you do too!
View and download the videos
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In 2017 Hot Water Solutions' focus is on increasing supply chain adoption to achieve 27,500 promotional sales by soliciting increased manufacturer investment, expanding the emergency replacement market through the wholesale channel, and increasing retail support. To reach these goals NEEA diversified the Hot Water Solutions implementers to include:
- CLEAResult - continuing manufacturer, retailer, and utility engagement as well as training and technical support
- Advanced Energy - training assessment and training instructional design plan
- D+R International - distributor and installer engagement, and QA support
- C+C - marketing services across all channels
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Contact Jill |
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Hot Water Solutions and the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project are programs of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). NEEA is an alliance of more than 140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working to accelerate the innovation and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices in the Northwest.
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