Author: 17174pwpadmin

Incentives for Smart Engine Block Heater Controllers 

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They Are Here!  Smart Engine Block Heater Controllers Incentives 

In cold weather, diesel motors can struggle to start up in the morning. Many motors come with block heaters that use electricity from the grid to preheat the motor for an easier start. Out of habit, many customers plug in the heaters in the evening and let them run all night so that the motor is warm by the morning. This practice is wasteful because these heaters run unnecessarily long, each using several hundred watts. Ideally, heaters only need a few hours, at most, to preheat a motor.

Next, basic timers were added to the block heaters and considered an energy efficiency measure. They did allow warmers only to run just before they were needed. This practice became common, so it was removed from the incentive offering.

Since several new smart controls have become available for engine block heaters, we’ve had many customers ask about incentives. As a result, a new measure has been created for 2023.

These smart controllers are superior because they use variables such as ambient temperature. Using ambient temperature helps to reduce block warmer run times. When setting preheat times using a block timer alone, you are forced to plan for the worst-case scenario. These smart controllers dynamically adjust schedules to be the most efficient.  

Now, a set dollar amount can be requested through a post-purchase application. It will mirror the current residential offering with a similar qualified product list and eligibility requirements.

Please contact your outreach specialist if you have any customers you feel might be a good fit for this new measure.  

Idaho Incentives          Utah Incentives, p7        Wyoming Incentives, p12

This brief video shows the ease of installation and explains the benefits of an engine block heater controller. 

Rocky Mountain Power – Innovating for a Sustainable Future

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At Rocky Mountain Power, we have a simple goal; To power our customers’ lives with the cleanest, most reliable, and most affordable energy. Since 2014, Rocky Mountain Power has helped pioneer a way to save customers more than $276 million and has cut CO² emissions by more than 30 million metric tons. This is the equivalent of taking more than six million cars off the road for a year, and the results continue to grow.

Rocky Mountain Power makes it easy and more cost-effective for clean and renewable energy to go where it’s needed. The Western Energy partnership allows participating utilities in the region to trade energy in near real-time. It is fast-paced, responds to customers’ energy usage in real-time, is constantly changing by adding new energy incentive programs, and makes sun and wind a more viable energy source than ever before.

The Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), a real-time energy supply market that offers electricity generation and transmission services, has opened the door for other critical innovations like coal plants that can ramp down in real-time as wind, solar, and hydro energy ramp up. It is all part of how Rocky Mountain Power delivers the reliability and affordability that is depended on while innovating a more sustainable future.

Our customers inspire us every day. That’s why we’re focused on delivering affordable and reliable service while pioneering new partnerships and offering more energy choices.

 

For links to the other articles in this issue, go back to the original email.

 

Program Update: Fullstream

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You have probably heard Wattsmart program staff talking about a Fullstream incentive. But what exactly is a Fullstream incentive, and how do you participate? A Fullstream model takes the incentive that would historically be given entirely to the end-use electrical user (Downstream) and splits it up to be shared by distributors (Midstream) and the end-use electrical user. This was done to help distributors offset the cost of stocking more expensive Wattsmart program-eligible products. When distributors have more eligible products in stock, customers have better access to lighting products that are eligible for Wattsmart incentives.

 So how does it work? When a distributor sells qualifying products to a commercial customer, they can report the sale to the Wattsmart program and receive incentive money for the lighting products sold. The sales information is commonly reported by the distributor running a monthly lighting sales report and submitting the sales data to the Wattsmart program. Any purchase of an eligible product made by a commercial customer who is located within an approved zip code qualifies for incentives. Commercial customers can be contractors, ESCO, end-use customers, etc., purchasing from the distributor. It is preferred but not required to identify where the product will be installed or collect the Rocky Mountain Power customer information during these transactions.

In addition, distributors or electrical contractors should inform their Rocky Mountain Power commercial customers that they are eligible for Downstream incentives by completing a post-purchase application. This allows the Rocky Mountain Power customer to receive their portion of the incentive that is shared in the Fullstream model. For more information, please contact your Wattsmart program outreach coordinator.

 

For links to the other articles in this issue, go back to the original email.

Incentive Process for “Power Badger,” the Engine Block Heater Controller 

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Engine block heater timers are not a new concept. Block heaters don’t need to run all night for the motor to be warm enough to start up when needed. Simple timers were used to only run the block heaters for a short time. How much time should they run though? You could figure out the ambient temperature each day and change your timer settings daily or, what most people do is, assume worst-case scenarios and set the timer for that. That’s where the smart block heater timer or Power Badger started to gain popularity. It uses inputs such as ambient temperature to optimize preheat schedules dynamically.  

This measure really gained popularity in the residential market as utility incentives were enough to offset much of the upfront cost, resulting in incredible payback periods to customers. Now people are asking, “what about my business?” The Rocky Mountain Power Residential and Business & Industry incentive offerings run independently, and the same residential incentives do not apply if you are a commercial or industrial customer. There are plans to create a simple application path, and we will keep you updated as that becomes clearly defined.  

Today, we have a catch-all offering for items that don’t yet have a clearly defined prescriptive incentive, and we call it our custom path. This path is usually reserved for projects where a custom analysis is required for one-off equipment. It is a fully engineered path, so there is a bit of effort in order to qualify. 

To participate in the custom incentive path:

  1. Submit an application: After you identify a project (or work with us to identify a project or projects), the first step is to submit a general application and provide your tax ID in a completed IRS Form W-9 so we (or our program administrator) can prepare a 1099-Misc. (if required) following the incentive payment.
  2. We provide a pre-inspection: Before you remove existing equipment, we need to establish an energy baseline. It is very important that we do this before you purchase anything new. Our inspection will identify efficiency options and help you understand the financial benefits of your investment.
  3. Sign an incentive offer: Sign an incentive offer before you begin project implementation. If you don’t have an incentive offer, you may not be able to receive an incentive.
  4. Implement your project: Purchase and install qualifying equipment at an eligible location.
  5. We provide a post-inspection: We may need to see that the new equipment is installed and operational. It can be a simple on-site inspection, or it may require more formal savings verification. You’ll be told what the requirements will be in your energy analysis.
  6. Receive a cash incentive: Congratulations! Within 45 days of final inspection, savings verification, and/or the receipt of all necessary cost documentation, you will receive your incentive.

To those asking, “what about my business?” the simple answer is yes, we have a solution for businesses and industry to get incentives for smart block heater controllers. While custom incentives are available, customers needing only one or two controllers may not be the best candidates. Customers with large fleets of diesel vehicles in a cold climate would be ideal candidates. The large potential incentive would help motivate all parties to complete the necessary steps to participate in the program.  

If you feel you have a customer that is a good fit for the custom analysis path, please contact your outreach coordinator for more information. If you don’t, there is no need to act now. We will keep you informed as the simpler, prescriptive incentive is launched in your state.  

For links to the other articles in this issue, go back to the original email.

 

Wyoming Midstream Highlights

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In August of 2021 we launched a new midstream offering in Wyoming. The goal of this new offer was to influence stocking practices of distributors and allow them to carry more efficient products and also keep more of them on hand for counter sales. In order to reach this goal a portion of the incentive is paid directly to the vendor and after the sale the customer can apply to collect the remaining incentive. Paying the distributor an incentive is done in order to encourage them to sell efficient products, have wiggle room to run promotions on efficient products, and also to help offset the carrying costs of stocking efficient products.  

Like any change there is a lot of work that goes into the transition on both the program administrators and participants. On the distributor side, sales reports must be created and formatted correctly in such a way that all the required information is passed over as part of the application. Much time is spent going back and forth at the start to make sure that the report is how it needs to be. The good news is that once the report is built, the next time around it can be as simple as hitting a button to generate it for the next month. Then in return the distributor receives hundreds or even thousands of dollars in incentive funds. It’s a very good return on investment for those vendors that have taken the time to participate. We will continue to get more distributors on board and continue to help influence stocking/sales practices to get them to maximize available incentives.  

If you are interested in participating in the new midstream offer please contact your outreach coordinator for more information.  

Wyoming Full-Stream Incentive

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Image Courtesy of H.E. Williams

A full-stream incentive program has rolled out in Wyoming. The intent of the program is to encourage distributors to stock eligible products in their stores by allocating a portion of the incentive directly to them. This will help offset the additional expense associated with Wattsmart program-approved products that may otherwise be too costly to stock. Don’t worry; Rocky Mountain Power customers can still receive an incentive, too. Since only a portion of the incentive is given to the distributor, customers have the opportunity to claim the remaining amount of the incentive by a point-of-purchase or post-purchase application.  

Many customers are already familiar with the point-of-purchase model participating distributors offer. In this situation, distributors submit the application on behalf of the customer and provide a discounted price to customers upfront. An incentive check will then be mailed to the distributor to cover the reduced selling price of the product. Alternately, Wattsmart program vendors that are not eligible to participate in the point-of-purchase path still have access to a post-purchase application. Installers can assist their customers in completing the post-purchase application, and an incentive check will be mailed directly to the customer.  

Implementing a full-stream model will help ensure that a greater number of eligible products are available. This will result in more approved items being installed at customers’ facilities. Whether customers buy direct from distributors or work with installers, the Wattsmart program has an incentive path to help.  

Idaho Full-Stream Incentive

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Image Courtesy of H.E. Williams

A full-stream incentive program has rolled out in Idaho. The intent of the program is to encourage distributors to stock eligible products in their stores by allocating a portion of the incentive directly to them. This will help offset the additional expense associated with Wattsmart program-approved products that may otherwise be too costly to stock. Don’t worry; Rocky Mountain Power customers can still receive an incentive, too. Since only a portion of the incentive is given to the distributor, customers have the opportunity to claim the remaining amount of the incentive by a point-of-purchase or post-purchase application.  

Many customers are already familiar with the point-of-purchase model participating distributors offer. In this situation, distributors submit the application on behalf of the customer and provide a discounted price to customers upfront. An incentive check will then be mailed to the distributor to cover the reduced selling price of the product. Alternately, Wattsmart program vendors that are not eligible to participate in the point-of-purchase path still have access to a post-purchase application. Installers can assist their customers in completing the post-purchase application, and an incentive check will be mailed directly to the customer.  

Implementing a full-stream model will help ensure that a greater number of eligible products are available. This will result in more approved items being installed at customers’ facilities. Whether customers buy direct from distributors or work with installers, the Wattsmart program has an incentive path to help.  

Improving the Customer Experience

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As a professional, you strive to work in a competent, honest, and efficient manner. But have you ever thought about what it’s like working with you from your customers’ perspective? If not, try putting yourself in their place, and see how you score. Simple efforts like regular communication and listening can make or break the customer experience.  

For example, think about when you ordered a meal and asked for it to be prepared without a specific ingredient. You are hungry and quite ready to enjoy it. Then, when it is delivered to you, there is the ingredient you don’t care for or are allergic to. Didn’t they listen to your request? 

People naturally want to feel heard in a business, medical or personal situation. Make an effort to listen to your customers, understand their goals, remember when they need the project to start or end and accommodate as best you can. It can be helpful to repeat back what they have requested to make sure you have it correct. Listening and doing what a customer asks of you goes a long way towards a successful customer experience. 

How would you (as a customer) feel if you paid a deposit for a project, but didn’t know when it would start, what was going on, or when project milestones would be met?  

That can be unsettling and disruptive. You (as a vendor) can provide a better customer experience by setting expectations. If possible, show examples of similar work so customers will understand the completed project. Next, put it in writing, so you and the customer have something to go back to and reference. This would include a project timeline. Be sure to explain there may be unforeseen product delivery delays, weather or health issues, or unexpected findings once you get started that could slow it down. If that happens, be sure to reset expectations for the schedule, deliverables and/or cost. 

This time imagine you are a patient about to have a procedure. You are in a drafty room wearing a surgical gown, and someone on the staff comes in and says, “It’s time,” then leaves you alone again. You don’t know what it is time for or why you’ve been left alone. Does that concern you? 

If no one has told you exactly what the procedure entails, when it will begin and finish, and how you will feel, the “unknown” can be pretty stressful. This situation would be like if a customer notices that their project looks different than expected or days go by without anyone working on it. As a vendor, be sure to keep in touch with your customer with updates as the project moves along. Ask them if they have any questions and address their concerns. If work needs to stop for a period, let the customer know why and for how long so they can plan accordingly. Unaddressed concerns can quickly turn into complaints which can damage a vendor’s reputation. On the other hand, answering questions and providing updates, even if the news isn’t what they want to hear, alleviates the stress of the unknown for customers.  

Here is one final tip for a better customer experience: Offer your customers savings by taking advantage of Incentive Assignments. You’ll be reimbursed quickly (some through direct deposit) and can make customers happy by reducing their upfront costs. For more comprehensive customer strategies, be on the lookout for the upcoming course: Building Trust Through Customer Service.