Hello All,
Welcome to the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project's quarterly newsletter. I hope you are having an excellent start to the New Year. The goal of this communication is to provide utility partners with updates including installation highlights and trends, quality assurance activity, and marketing efforts. If you have any questions or feedback regarding the content shared in this newsletter or the Project in general, please contact me at aallan@neea.org or 503.688.5472. |
Join us for the Utility Brownbag
The DHP utility brownbag is coming up Wednesday, January 26th from 12p.m. to 1p.m. and will include the following topics:
BPA:
- Installation highlights
- Product trends
- 2010 marketing overview
- Emerging Technology Study update
- Preferred Product List feedback
- Resources for utilities
NEEA:
- Tax credit and code update
- Contractor highlights
- Quality assurance activity
- Supply chain engagement
- Cold climate applications
- Marketing update
- Evaluation
We look forward to your presence at the brownbag!
To join this call dial: Phone (877) 336-1839, access code 2305557
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Project Installation Activity for 2009 and 2010
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2010 Quality Assurance Goal Reached
The Project 2010 QA results were:
- 81% pass rate for QA inspections, surpassing the 2010 goal of 80%
- The most common two deviations in 2010 was lack of line-set protection followed by poor homeowner education
- The project continues to promote these two topics in contractor orientations, best practices installation webinars, and in the Best Practices Installation Guide
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Survey Results Reveal Value in Utility and Manufacturer Sponsored Training Events
In coordination with Mitsubishi and with the support of regional utilities, the Project presented materials at 10 events across the region to 194 attendees in November. To gauge the success of this event series, the Project distributed a survey to contractors in attendance; results reveal the following:
- 100% of responders replied that the event was "Extremely" or "somewhat" valuable
- 95% of the attendees said they would attend a similar event in the future
- 97% said they would recommend the event to co-workers
The purpose of the November training series was to enhance DHP sales strategies, technical knowledge, and Project awareness of the regional contractor base. The Project will be using survey results to help shape future opportunities. The Project is developing a 2011 event plan to support the increase of manufacturer engagement in the region. |
Project Continues Commitment to Quality
The Project's Best Practices Installation Webinar continues to be a valuable resource for contractors in the region. Since its launch in September, 2010, over 85 contractors have attended and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The webinar is available to all Project contractors and is a requirement for participation in the Master Installer Program. Register for these webinars on nwductless.com and encourage your contractors to attend!
The Master Installer Program is proving successful in improving the quality of installations. The Project performed inspections on 40% of the 45 Master Installers and all received passing results. In 2011, the Project will work to increase regional diversity of Master Installers to ensure consumers have access to contractors with DHP experience.
The Master Installer Program launched on GoingDuctless.com in November, providing consumers with the ability to identify contractors who are:
- Experienced with ductless technology
- Committed to great customer service
- Perform Best practices installations
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Project Marketing Update
2010 Marketing Key Learnings
- Communication Channels
- Website traffic increased 120% from 2009-2010 as a result of diversifying communication channels and mediums, including
- Radio - PSAs and Paid Campaign
- Online - Keyword Buys, Banner Ads and Streaming Ads
- The Project will continue to diversity communication channels and mediums during 2011
- Leveraging the Market
- NEEAs non-profit status was leveraged to increase the reach and frequency of the regional paid radio campaign from June to December - providing 1:1 matching spots/schedules from media
- Public Service Announcements were able to be placed for low-to-no cost advertising across ID, MT, OR and WA, providing regional reach and over $500,000 in valued media
- The Project will continue distributing radio PSAs during 2011 and will analyze additional channel opportunities
The Project is finalizing the 2011 marketing plan and will keep utilities updated on initiatives. One initiative we will test in April is television. Once we evaluate the test efforts the Project will announce future plans for this medium. |
New Technology Emerges in the Region
The first Project-qualified floor standing DHP indoor unit, Mitsubishi MFZ-KA12NA, was installed in Pacific County territory. The new cabinet design of this product can provide additional options for homes with limited wall space. See the image below. |
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Thank you for your continued support of the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project. Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or stories you'd like to share from your service territory. I look forward to hearing your voices at the quarterly brownbag!
Alexis Allan
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
503.688.5472
aallan@neea.org
Project Contacts
Aaron Winer
awiner@fluidms.com
503.688.1566
Erica Thompson
ethomson@fluidms.com
503.688.1551
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Washington Code Update Includes Information on Residential DHP Applications
A January newsletter released by Washington Labor & Industries reveals that indoor disconnect switches will not be required on most residential (one and two-family dwellings) DHP installations. An important element of this interpretation is that Washington L&I will be requiring that the outside unit's disconnect identifies the location of the indoor unit. The Project recommends that installers in Washington State read the entire interpretation and communicate directly with their local code official to ensure compliance. The Project is working to create best practice suggestions for complying with this interpretation.
The interpretation can viewed in its entirety here:
Washington L&I
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Federal Tax credit
The Federal tax credit has been modified and extended through 2011! The tax credit is now 10% up to $300 for ductless heat pumps. For more information visit: ENERGY STAR site
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Project materials available upon request The Project has Best Practices Installation Guides and Homeowner Education Guides available upon request while supplies last. If you would like these guides to distribute to contractors and homeowners in your territory, let us know at:
info@nwductless.com
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2011 Program Requirements
Are you changing your DHP program requirements in 2011? Let us know and we will update the Utility Participation list. This will help us ensure that your contractors are equipped with the most current information unique to your utility. Email us at:
info@nwductless.com
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