Category: Custom HVAC

Utah Program Changes — September 2026

Posted on

The following are proposed program changes for Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart® Business Utah incentives. Pending program approval, these will go into effect September 21, 2026.

Summary of changes

Several offerings are being moved from the Downstream category to the Midstream category. Review the current updates below and see where offerings are now categorized.

Downstream
Lighting

Small and Medium Business Express (SMBE) and Lighting Express

  • Controls Only – This category is added for interior and exterior lighting.
  • Additional Controls for Exterior – Plug-and-play controls-ready, basic dimming and advanced networked dimming controls are now available for exterior lighting.

Want to know if you qualify under the SMBE program? Contact us!

Retrofits Only – Lighting

Flexible (Formerly Non-Prescriptive)

  • Category Name Change – All non-prescriptive offerings are now referred to as Flexible offerings.
  • Basic Controls – This offering is no longer available.
  • Commissioning and Controls Only – These incentives have decreased to align with current market pricing.
Food Service

Most Food Service offerings are moving to the Midstream program.

Appliances

Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters are moving to the Midstream program.

Midstream
Lighting
  • Lamp Replacements Only (Existing Midstream Offering) – TLED and HID categories have wattage requirements updates. Additional incentive changes are in effect, and reflector lamp incentives are no longer available.
  • Fixture Replacements (New to Midstream) – Fixture replacements across multiple categories have been added and now include control tiers.
HVAC
  • Unitary Commercial AC (Existing Midstream Offering) – Incentive changes are in effect.
  • ECM Circulator Pumps (New to Midstream) – ECM circulator pumps up to 3.5 HP in hydronic heating applications are introduced exclusively in Midstream, and both customer and distributor incentives are available.
Water Heating - New
  • Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters – Offerings in this category are now exclusive to Midstream, and incentives are available for both the customer and the distributor.
  • Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) Circulator Pumps – For ECM circulator pumps used in potable hot water recirculation applications up to 3.5 HP, customer and distributor incentives are available.
Refrigeration and food service
  • High-Efficiency Condensing Units (HECU), High-Efficiency Evaporator Units (HEEU) – Customer and distributor incentives are available.
  • Food Service Equipment – Offerings in this category are now exclusive to Midstream, and customer and distributor incentives are available.
  • Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers – Offerings in this category are now exclusive to Midstream, and customer and distributor incentives are available.

Transition Plan

For projects that require pre-approval (e.g., lighting retrofits), the applicable program version is based on the incentive offer issue date. To minimize potential delays to projects, the program may implement a best–deal offer for projects that have a valid incentive offer issued between the program change notice and the effective date.

Incentive Offer Letter Issue Date Applicable Program Version
Offer Letter dated prior to 8/21/26 We will use the program version in effect when the incentive offer
letter was issued.
Offer Letter dated from 8/21/26–9/20/26; project completed after 9/21/26 This will have an option to run on either incentive structure.
Offer Letter dated 9/21/26 or after The new program with the current changes is in full effect.

For projects where pre-approval is not required, the program version is based on the equipment purchase order/invoice date for the first item(s) purchased for the project. If the earliest invoice date is prior to the current program’s effective date, the project may be subject to requirements and incentives from the prior program version.

If you have questions or want more information about these updates and offerings, contact your outreach specialist.

Watt’s up with Wattsmart® – August 2026

Posted on

A new Watt’s Up With Wattsmart podcast is live!

The What’s Up With Wattsmart podcast offers trade allies the latest news, insights and valuable resources. This installment takes a look at how the state of the market affects our industry and features important upcoming program changes that will begin in September.   

Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform.

Apple Podcasts

Vimeo

YouTube

Spotify

Show notes

The following are proposed program changes for Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart Business Utah incentives. Pending program approval, these will go into effect September 21, 2026. 

Find out all you need to know about program changes coming in September. Head over to https://wattsmartbusiness.com/utah-program-changes-september-2026/ for the details. 

Do you have questions or feedback on the topics you heard today or ones you’d like us to cover in the future? Contact your outreach specialist at https://wattsmartbusiness.com/contacts/ or email us at WattsmartTradeAlly@rockymountainpower.net.  

    Take HVAC projects to the next level with Advanced Rooftop Unit Controls

    Posted on

    Advanced Rooftop Unit Controls (ARC) in a nutshell

    Unlock better HVAC performance and greater energy savings for your customers with ARC, a retrofit solution that modernizes an existing rooftop unit (RTU). Traditional RTUs with constant speed fans waste energy, especially when demand is low. By automatically adjusting fan speed and monitoring building needs in real time, ARC provides measurable savings and enhanced comfort for your customers.

    The components of ARC

    • Unit control – acts as the digital brain of the unit.
    • Supply fan VFD or multi-speed fan motor – adjusts the speed of the fan as needed, rather than running at a constant speed (100%).
    • CO2 or occupancy-based sensor – detects building occupancy with CO2 sensors and automatically adjusts ventilation rates, minimizing unnecessary fan operation.
    • Digitally controlled economizer – brings in the fresh air from outside to help cool your space naturally and reduce the load on the cooling system.

    Deliver more value to your customers with ARC

    • Help your customers reduce energy use by 30-50%.
    • Ensure quick project payback in just one to four years.
    • Utilize installation incentives for your ARC projects.
    • Deliver lower utility bills for your customers.
    • Increase the lifespan of your customer’s RTU.
    • Improve occupant comfort.
    • Boost indoor air quality.

    Market growth

    Did you know?

    • Roughly 60% of commercial floor spaces use RTUs.
    • RTUs make up 20% of all commercial building energy use.
    • 73% of these units rely on basic or manual controls.
    • That’s 1.9 million buildings in the U.S. ready for major energy savings with better controls.

    How does it work?

    Check out this example project to give you an idea of what an ARC project might look like.

     

     

     

     

    ARC project checklist

    Start application

    Utah Application
    Idaho Application
    Wyoming Application

    Questions?

    Our team can help you with your application. Email us at WattsmartBusiness@rockymountainpower.net or call us at 385-300-0150.

     

     

     

    Partnering for Success With Wattsmart® Trade Allies

    Posted on

    Important Updates from Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart Business

    As of April 1, 2025, Evergreen Energy Partners is now a primary implementer for Wattsmart® Business, and we’re here to support you!

    We have some new resources and important updates to share. Learn how these changes will affect you:

    Partnering for Success

    New enrollment. As trade ally network administration has moved, all agreements need to be renewed. We’ve streamlined the application process for those already on the program. Trade allies will have until May 30, 2025, to reapply without any gaps in benefits, including the listing on our Find-a-Trade-Ally search tool.

    Here’s what to do:

    1. You will receive a separate email with a personalized code, once you have this code you can complete your enrollment application. Please complete your enrollment application within 30 days.
    2. Fill out the requested information on the enrollment link.
    3. Upload required documents:
        • Certificate of insurance
        • W-9
        • Business license
        • Contractors license
        • Direct Deposit ACH enrollment

      The form submission will update contact information on the customer website and enroll you for participation. Your renewal is complete!

       

      Meet your support team.

        • New Midstream implementer: Energy Solutions. Starting April 1, 2025, Energy Solutions will become the new implementer of the Wattsmart® Midstream program. While there are no equipment or incentives changes to the program, distributors must complete and sign a new participation agreement prior to submitting projects for payment. Distributors will receive resources and training on Energy Solutions’ application system, Iris. All claim applications for qualified equipment sold on or after January 1, 2025, will be accepted through Iris beginning April 1, 2025.
        • HVAC and other mechanical offerings. For those who participate in HVAC or other mechanical offerings with Wattsmart, you will have new points of contact with Evergreen Energy Partners for prescriptive and custom non-lighting measures. If you would like to participate, kW Engineering staff will be the representatives to support you. Aside from their in-person energy audits and site visits, feel free to reach out with any questions at WattsmartBusiness.com/Contacts.
        • Lighting-only offerings. Trade allies will continue to work with their current field specialists.
        • Whole building new construction/major renovation projects, please continue to work with jballance@resource-innovations.com
        • Enbridge Gas projects, please reach out to bgilchrist@resource-innovations.com.

      A return to “trade ally.” We are reinstating the term “trade ally” instead of “vendor.” It’s a small thing, but we feel it better represents our collaborative relationship with you.

      New Resources

      • Refreshed website. The Trade Ally website now contains valuable program information and updates. Check out the new content at the same online address: WattsmartBusiness.com.
      • Improved visibility. We have a new site and layout for the Find-a-Trade-Ally tool: WattsmartBusiness.com/FindATradeAlly
      • Coming soon! – New application portal. To ensure the quickest processing times and subsequent payments to you, we are working on a streamlined application process. Watch for further updates and trainings in the next couple of months.

      We’re happy to support you! Don’t hesitate to reach out to your outreach representative for support. For a full list of our contacts visit: WattsmartBusiness.com/Contacts.