Effective June 12, 2018, Energy Trust’s Residential business development funds (BDF) guidelines were updated with new project eligibility and reimbursement levels. Available BDF funding has been utilized more quickly than planned in 2018, due to high demand. The updated guidelines include reduced reimbursement levels, designed to help extend BDF availability through the end of the year.
The Residential program will continue to re-evaluate BDF guidelines to ensure funds and marketing resources are effectively utilized to encourage customers to make energy-efficiency upgrades, while more broadly aligning with our savings goals in the current market.
The following is a complete list of the previous and current BDF guidelines and reimbursement levels for Home Retrofit and EPS New Construction. BDF guidelines and reimbursement levels for New Manufactured Homes remain the same.
Home Retrofit
| Previous | ||
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | Annual amount and reimbursement | Eligible project types |
| 3 stars | $8,000 50 percent reimbursement | • Banner and PPC ads • Print (direct mail, brochures, newspaper, magazines) • Yellow Pages (not available in Regions 3 and 12) • Radio and television ads • Training ($250 maximum) • Tablet reimbursement ($200 max) • Apparel • Events ($250 max) • Website development ($250 max) |
| 2.5 stars | $4,000 30 percent reimbursement |
|
| 2 stars | $1,000 30 percent for training and events only |
|
| Fewer than 2 stars | $400 30 percent for training and events only |
|
| Current | ||
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | Annual amount and reimbursement* | Eligible project types |
| 3 stars | $4,000 30 percent reimbursement | • Banner and PPC ads • Print (direct mail, flyers, brochures, newspaper, magazines) • Yellow Pages (not available in Regions 3 and 12 ) • Radio and television ads • Training ($250 maximum) • Tablet reimbursement ($200 max) • Website development ($250 max) Events no longer qualify for reimbursement. While apparel no longer qualifies for reimbursement, the trade ally logo may still be used on apparel after receiving Energy Trust approval. |
| 2.5 stars | $2,500 30 percent reimbursement |
|
| 2 stars | $1,000 for trainings Projects can be pre-approved but are not eligible for reimbursement |
|
| Fewer than 2 stars | $400 for trainings Projects can be pre-approved but are not eligible for reimbursement |
|
EPS New Construction
| Previous | Current | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual amount and reimbursement | Eligible project types | Annual amount and reimbursement* | Eligible project types |
| $5,000 33 percent reimbursement | • Banner and PPC ads • Print (Direct mail, brochures, flyers, one sheets and yard signs) • Training ($250 maximum) • Apparel • Website development ($250 max) • Ready-made content | $4,000 30 percent reimbursement | • Banner and PPC ads • Print (Direct mail, flyers, brochures, newspaper, magazines) • Training ($250 maximum) • Tablet reimbursement ($200 max) • Website development ($250 max) • Yard signs • Ready-made content While apparel no longer qualifies for reimbursement, the EPS trade ally logo may still be used on apparel after receiving Energy Trust approval. |
*Funds are subject to availability and can change at any time.
Why is Energy Trust reducing the annual maximum and reimbursement percentage?
Business development fund participation has been higher than anticipated this year. Energy Trust wants to ensure that funds are available for as many trade allies as possible throughout the remainder of 2018.
Are these changes temporary or permanent?
Changes to Residential business development funds will be in effect as of June 12 through the end of 2018. As indicated in the June 2018 Insider article and email to all Residential trade allies on June 12, we are re-evaluating the offer for 2019 and welcome your participation and feedback. A meeting will be hosted in mid-July 2018, to help us gather feedback from trade allies before making any future changes. You can contact your account manager for more information on how to attend. The meeting’s date will be finalized shortly. It will be held at Energy Trust offices in Portland and will include call-in options for those that are not located in the Portland Metro area.
If I am enrolled in both Home Retrofit and EPS New Construction, can I utilize both business development funds?
No. The annual maximum is applied across all Residential offers. If you reach your EPS New Construction annual maximum, we are unable to provide additional funds for Home Retrofit business development fund projects.
Residential BDF guidelines will be reviewed throughout 2018 in an effort to ensure funds are dispersed equitably across Energy Trust service territory. Energy Trust will host a trade ally meeting in July to discuss 2019 BDF plans and expectations. If you have any questions or would like an invitation to attend the trade ally meeting, email homesfund@energytrust.org or call us at 866.365.3526.