Month: August 2024

A Game Changer for Highly Impacted Communities & Small Businesses

Posted on by Sharon Nikosey

Every penny counts for small businesses in highly impacted communities in Yakima and Walla Walla counties. That’s why the Wattsmart®  team is helping these businesses discover how energy efficiency is a bottom-line game changer. An upgrade to energy-efficient lighting is among the most impactful and cost-effective change businesses can make. Not only does this upgrade reduce operating costs, but it also contributes to a cleaner environment and a brighter future for the entire community.

For many Pacific Power small business customers, particularly those in highly impacted communities, every dollar saved on utilities can become more money for inventory, staffing or other business needs. Older lighting methods, like incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, can greatly impact power bills. Compared to modern LED bulbs, they use more energy and have shorter lifespans. Over time, the costs of replacing and maintaining high-energy-use lights place a significant financial burden on small business owners.

Portrait of happy young female painter sitting on ladder in work site

Top Three Reasons to “See the Light”

These upgrades are both economical and environmentally friendly.

1

LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last significantly longer. By using LEDs, the substantial savings on energy bills and replacement costs are very beneficial to a small business operating on a tight budget and can reduce overall facility maintenance.

2

Modern LED lighting options provide better-quality light, which can improve product visibility, enhance the lighting inside and outside of the business, and make the workspace safer for employees.

3

Energy-efficient lighting reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps decrease a business’s overall carbon footprint. For those interested in sustainability, this shift is a win-win.

The move towards Wattsmart Business energy-efficient lighting is more than just a cost-saving measure. It’s a way to build a more sustainable community, gain greater financial stability and promote a healthier environment. By participating in Wattsmart Business programs, local small businesses light up their spaces and contribute to a brighter, cleaner future for everyone.

Contact your outreach specialist to find out how to participate.

California Vendor Incentives for Lighting Upgrades

Posted on by Sharon Nikosey

2024 Wattsmart Business Vendor Incentives for Installing Lighting Upgrades

NEW! 

Approved Wattsmart Business Lighting Vendors in California; we are excited to inform you that Pacific Power is offering the following Vendor incentives!

  • $0.05 per kWh saved cash Vendor incentive for Typical Lighting Retrofit Projects.
  • $300 per customer location for Small Business Lighting Projects.

Typical Lighting Retrofit Projects

Receive a Vendor cash incentive at a rate of $0.05 per kWh saved for helping Pacific Power business customers in California save money with qualifying lighting upgrades.

This Vendor incentive offer is for the Wattsmart Business Vendor submitting the project (yes, this is for you!) and in addition to the customer incentives available through Wattsmart Business. Pacific Power offers significant cash customer incentives up to 80% of eligible costs to help with the up-front costs of your customer’s project. Get more details on our website.

How It Works

For qualifying lighting projects, Vendors receive the Vendor incentive of $0.05 per kWh annual energy savings, with a maximum Vendor incentive of $5,000 per customer location in 2024. Each Vendor location is eligible to receive $20,000 in total incentives in 2024. Vendor incentives are first come, first served, and the Vendor incentive offer may terminate earlier than the eligibility timeline below if allocated funding is exhausted. The program will email the Wattsmart Business Vendor Network if these funds are exhausted. See the table below for examples of Vendor incentives.

Eligibility Timeline

Typical lighting retrofit projects must have an incentive offer issued between September 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. All projects must be completed.

For Post-purchase projects with invoices dated September 1, 2024 and after: Vendors must submit all project documentation and invoices to the program by December 31, 2024 to receive the Vendor incentive.

Small Business Lighting Projects:

Receive a cash incentive of $300 per customer location for Small Business Lighting projects.

This Vendor incentive offer is for approved Wattsmart Small Business Lighting Vendors submitting the project and is in addition to available incentives through Wattsmart Business.

How It Works

Approved Small Business Lighting Vendors receive a Vendor incentive of $300 per customer location for Small Business Lighting projects Lighting projects. Vendor incentives for Small Business Lighting projects are first come, first served and the Vendor incentive offer may terminate earlier than the eligibility timeline below if allocated funding is exhausted. The program will communicate with the approved Small Business Lighting Vendors if these funds are exhausted.

Who Is Eligible

Wattsmart Business approved Small Business Lighting Vendors in good standing.** If you are interested in participating in this program, contact your outreach coordinator.

Eligibility Timeline

New submitted between September 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, are eligible to receive the Vendor incentive.  Vendors must submit all project documentation and invoices to the program within this timeframe.  All project-related invoice dates must be September 1, 2024, or later.

**If you’re not currently a Wattsmart Business Vendor, you must be an approved Wattsmart Business Vendor prior to project closeout in order to receive these lighting upgrade Vendor incentives.

Steps To Participate

1

Follow required processes for participating in the various lighting offerings, including project pre-approval and incentive offer as required. Purchase and install energy-efficient lighting at your Pacific Power customer location in California and submit all required project documentation to the program. Participate in any required post-installation inspections.

2

Contact your outreach specialist and provide a copy of your company’s W-9 tax information so we can prepare a 1099-Misc. following the Vendor incentive payment

3

Receive a Vendor incentive check in the mail. Incentive checks will be issued to the Wattsmart Business Vendor and mailed to the primary contact.

Visit the Pacific Power website for more details on energy-efficient upgrades.

These Vendor incentives will only be available for a limited time, so act now!

For additional questions or information, contact your outreach coordinator.

Engine Block Heater Control – QPL – Washington Only

Posted on by Sharon Nikosey

Qualified Products List

List update 8/13/2024

Brand Model Type
ELEproduct CONTROL-X2 Extension Cord
IPLC M210-15 Wall Mounted
IPLC M210TN Wall Mounted
IPLC M210-20 Wall Mounted
Power Badger 1800US Extension Cord
Zerostart V-Lock Block Heater Engine Mounted
Zerostart Threaded Heater Engine Mounted
Zerostart Cartridge Heater Engine Mounted
Zerostart Plate/Bolt-On Heater Engine Mounted

2024 California Program Update

Posted on by Sharon Nikosey

Pacific Power is planning changes to the Wattsmart Business program in California, effective on September 1, 2024.

These changes are part of Pacific Power’s efforts to update the program based on new statewide energy efficiency workpapers and to align with market changes. For an in-depth look at these program changes, please review the program website announcement, summary of changes and redlined incentive tables to show the changes.

Some of the more significant changes are highlighted below:

  • Revised eligibility for T8 TLED Lamp from UL A/B dual mode to UL Type A.
  • Modification of Advance Lighting Controls to eliminate controls-only upgrade.
  • Incentive increase for Interior Lighting (site-specific).
  • Advance Lighting Controls measure (site-specific).
  • New Exterior Lighting measure offerings.
  • Heating mode requirements added to Packaged Terminal Heat Pump measure offerings.
  • Revised eligibility requirements for Heat Pumps, Air Cooled Heat Pumps, replacing electric resistance heating (retrofit-only) and Heat Pump Water Heaters.

Incentive calculator tools will be updated to reflect the revised offerings. The tools are available to all approved Wattsmart Business Vendors on the Wattsmart Business Vendor Portal.

Important Dates to Remember

To guarantee lighting project incentives under the current offerings, complete applications must be received by the program no later than August 15, 2024. Projects received after August 15th may be eligible for the current incentive if the Incentive Offer can be issued prior to September 1, 2024. Valid applications will be issued Incentive Offers on a first-come, first-served basis. Incentive Offer letters issued on or after September 1, 2024, will be based on the new incentive structure.

For all other lighting and non-lighting equipment purchases that do not require pre-approval, the program updates apply to all equipment purchased on or after September 1, 2024. Equipment purchased before September 1, 2024, may qualify for incentives that were available under the previous incentive structure, and applications with accompanying invoices must be submitted within six months of the purchase date.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your local outreach coordinator.