UTILITY NEWSLETTER
FOURTH QUARTER 2015
The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions have been working with the market to finish the year strong and secure multiple promotion opportunities for the region in 2016. Read on to find out how you can participate in ongoing and upcoming activities for both programs.
UPCOMING QUALITY ASSURANCE WEBINAR
Join the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions on Wednesday, January 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PST to learn more about quality assurance (QA) protocols for ductless systems and heat pump water heaters, QA results and QA resources.
  • NW Ductless Heat Pump Project:  9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. PST
  • Hot Water Solutions: 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PST

Register Here
MARKETING RESOURCES FEEDBACK
We'd like to hear utility partners' feedback on the marketing and promotion packet resources that the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions provide. NEEA will also be conducting a heat pump water heater photo shoot in Q1 of 2016 and is seeking input into what photos would be most helpful in your outreach efforts. Please let us know your thoughts in a brief survey. Please coordinate with your marketing and/or program teammates to respond to this survey, this newsletter is distributed to all contacts.
UTILITY PAGE CUSTOMIZATION WEBINAR
Remember to attend the 'Customizing Utility Pages on Upgraded NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and Hot Water Solutions Websites' webinar this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. PST! This webinar will review how to make changes to your utility/program page or redirect customizations on Goingductless.com and HotWaterSolutionsNW.org . 
BPA'S DIRECT TO PRINT PORTAL
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) recently announced its new direct to print portal, which allows utilities to customize marketing templates with utility logo and messaging through an online interface. Templates for both ductless heat pumps and heat pump water heaters are available. Check out the new portal and please contact your Energy Efficiency Representative (EER) with any questions.

2015: A TREMENDOUS YEAR FOR DUCTLESS
2015 is on track to be a record-breaking year for ductless systems across the region. The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project supported 5 market promotions in partnership with 3 manufacturers, and developed the first Lennox ductless display clings for NW Costco locations, featuring 29 participating utility partners.
 
9,121 total sales and installations were reported in Q3 2015, bringing us to 21,891 total sales and installations reported so far in 2015, a 23% increase over last year. Together, we've accomplished a total of more than 118,100 sales and installations in the region since the Project began in 2008.
 
On behalf of the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project team, thank you for all of your work and leadership in helping to accelerate adoption of ductless heating and cooling systems. Happy Holidays. 
 
Suzi Asmus, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) 
2016 DUCTLESS SYSTEM PROMOTIONS
The Project heard your feedback that longer lead time prior to promotions makes communicating these opportunities to customers easier. More advance notice also makes it easier to determine what proportion of your installer network will be able to participate. We've worked with manufacturers and distributors to create a 2016 promotions calendar, and will provide this calendar to utility partners in early Q1 2016. Aspects of promotions could change as the year goes on, since the market regularly adapts tactics in response to current conditions. The calendar will be a good starting point to plan times to highlight ductless incentives and promotional opportunities to customers to work toward your savings targets.
 
First up in 2016 is the Carrier - Airefco promotion; details include:
  • Available February 1 - June 30
  • Up to $300 in savings
  • Applicable to select Carrier products available at Airefco locations
  • Marketing activities will direct customers to find an installer at this landing page: nwcarrierductlessdealers.com *
  • Inaugural media campaign running November 2015 - June 2016
There will be a promotion packet available prior to promotion launch.
 
*Note: Carrier is currently re-directing this page to their KGW campaign site; the content will remain the same but be on Carrier's page when the promotion launches
NEW YEAR, NEW TAX CREDIT RATES IN OREGON
The Oregon Department of Energy recently announced Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) amendments that affect tax credit categories and qualifications for ductless systems as of January 1, 2016. Models with an HSPF of 10.0 to 11.9 will still qualify for an incentive of up to $1,200, and systems of 12.0 and higher will still qualify for up to $1,300. The incentive for systems with an HSPF of 9.0 to 9.9 expires after December 31, 2015. Customers should consult a tax professional to determine eligibility. 
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR LINKS
This is a reminder that in July of this year, the Northwest Ductless Heat Pump Project refreshed the GoingDuctless.com site and resources. URL addresses changed for all website resources. Be sure to update any links you have to the new website pages.
 
In response to utility feedback, the Project will revert the refreshed Best Practices Installation Guide language to a previous version that provided greater installation detail. The revised guides will be available on the website in January 2016.
NW Ductless Heat Pump Project |   GoingDuctless.com
2015: HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS CLIMBING HIGHER
Three years ago, heat pump water heaters were just emerging in the Northwest. Now, we have 47 utilities in the region offering heat pump water heater incentives, an increase of 176% since 2012, and 9,376 reported sales. This progress and continued momentum for heat pump water heaters wouldn't be possible without you.
 
2015 has been a landmark year for momentum in heat pump water heater market transformation. We've reached 2,743 sales through Q3 2015, a 45% increase over last year; increased wholesale channel participation to build an installer base to better capture emergency replacements; supported the release of the first product capable of Tier 3 efficiency; and facilitated a total of 31 utility partners' participation on two separate GE-led Every-Door-Direct-Mail marketing campaigns to promote that product!
 
I want to thank you for your participation and promotion of heat pump water heaters and look forward to continuing to collaborate with you. Cheers to a great 2016 and happy holidays!
 
Jill Reynolds, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) 
Contact Jill
GE GEOSPRING PROMOTION EXTENSION
Hot Water Solutions is excited to announce the GE promotion on Tier 2/3 GeoSpring units is extended through March 31, 2016! The team is planning a marketing push in March; please consider aligning your utility's activities with these efforts. The team will provide updates on marketing activities as they are solidified.
 
GE GeoSpring
Plus, contractors can still save an additional $100 on the 'pro' models (GEH50DEEJSC and GEH80DEEJSC) until March 31, 2016. Contractors should contact their local GE distributor for details.
 
The team will be in touch in early 2016 with any new participation opportunities for this promotion. Feel free to use the marketing resources in the promotion packet in the meantime.
 
Retail and wholesale locations determine pricing and participation individually; there may be some variance throughout the region. 
NEW YEAR, NEW TAX CREDIT RATES IN OREGON
The Oregon Department of Energy recently announced Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) amendments that affect tax credit categories and qualifications for heat pump water heaters. As soon as we ring in the new year on January 1, 2016, RETC maximum incentive amounts for heat pump water heaters will decrease from $985 to $600 for Tier 2/3models and from $585 to $300 for Tier 1 models. Customers should consult a tax professional to determine eligibility.
ENERGY STAR PARTNER MEETING
At the ENERGY STAR Partner Meeting in October, Hot Water Solutions joined with market partners GE, Sears, and Energize Connecticut on an informative panel discussing the benefits of proactive replacement of standard electric water heaters with heat pump water heaters.
ACEEE 2016 HOT WATER FORUM
Are you going to the ACEEE 2016 Hot Water Forum? Hot Water Solutions will be presenting this February. The forum is an excellent opportunity to get the latest and greatest on efficient water heating technology and programs - including heat pump water heaters. We hope to see you there!
SMART WATER HEAT IS HOT WATER SOLUTIONS
As a reminder, Smart Water Heat became Hot Water Solutions as of July 2015. Please update any of your website links from the old website to the new one (HotWaterSolutionsNW.org).  
See HotWaterSolutionsNW.org and Refreshed Resources
Hot Water Solutions |   HotWaterSolutionsNW.org
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.