Before COVID-19 struck and wreaked havoc on social gatherings, the Evergy Outreach team was hard at work planning the Trade Ally Appreciation Event for Spring 2020. Though the team had to unfortunately cancel the event, the TA awards had already been selected and ordered. Brian Lunceford, one of your Evergy Outreach specialists, recently traveled around the greater Kansas City area delivering those awards to their rightful owners.

While we were not able to celebrate with the award winners and all of the trade allies who worked so hard in 2019 to deserve a day of celebration and recognition, we still wanted to thank each of you for your continued participation in the Evergy Heating, Cooling, and Home Comfort Program. We look forward to a successful 2021 with you, and are hopeful we will be able to celebrate together in-person to recognize your efforts in 2020!

If you are interested in learning about the Evergy and Spire Income-Eligible Multi-Family program, you can watch a recent webinar hosted on October 27. If you have any questions, you can contact our IEMF Account Manager, Kally Johns, at kally.johns@icf.com.

Watch the Webinar 

Online Intake Tool Site Updates

The Trade Ally Portal is now accessible from the home page of the Online Intake Tool (OIT). No additional login information is necessary, just click the green button labeled Trade Ally Portal. This is where you will find news and announcements, training resources, and marketing materials – including the Evergy logos (usage approval required). If you are relatively new to the program or have missed our latest newsletters, the Portal is a great resource to quickly get up to speed.

The following two forms have been added to the Documents page in the OIT:
1. The latest Terms and Conditions form has numerous changes to the legal language of the document. Please start using this document immediately. If you have never read the document, please take a few minutes to do so. It has important information all trade allies need to know.

2. A Field Checklist which we recommend be used by installers or sales teams to gather all the information from the customer’s home needed for the rebate application. The checklist is especially useful for trade allies that hand off the application submission to a different department, such as accounting.
 

Updated Rebate Chart

The Heating, Cooling and Home Comfort program rebate chart was recently updated. Please use this version of the rebate chart to reference current incentives. 

Download the newest rebate chart 

Customer Email Addresses

Please be sure to ask your customers if they would provide their email address in the space provided at the bottom of the Terms and Conditions. You can then enter it into the Project Information page of the Online Intake Tool. This will allow customers to receive updates regarding their rebate, and it allows us to send them a survey link for program tracking and prudence, so we can continue to offer these great rebates. If you do not have a customer email address when filling out the Project Information page, please leave the field blank. 

Mini-Split Rebates 

Did you know mini-splits can be rebated as an air source heat pump? If 50 percent or more of the living space is conditioned with the mini-split, the customer can receive the incentive for air source heat pumps at the equivalent SEER. If you have any questions contact your Outreach Specialist. 

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Updated Terms and Conditions 

The Terms and Conditions have been updated for the Heating, Cooling, and Home Comfort, Energy Savings Kit, and Air Sealing and Insulation programs as of July 10, 2020. All installations beginning July 10, 2020 will require the updated Terms and Conditions signed by the customer. You can access the Terms and Conditions documents in the Online Intake Tool or by clicking on the links below. If you have any questions regarding these updates, please contact your Outreach Specialist.

Heating, Cooling, and Home Comfort T&Cs
Air Sealing and Insulation T&Cs

Evergy Summer Sale Going on Now!

For a limited time, Evergy is hosting an online sale with deeply discounted LED bulbs. Missouri customers can purchase a 6-pack of LEDs for only $5, including shipping!  Visit the Evergy Summer Sale Store

Application Submission Deadline Reminder

Please be sure you are submitting applications no later than 30 days after the installation date. Delays in application submission cause slow downs in processing paperwork, thus potentially causing longer waits for customers to receive their rebate checks. 

Are You Using MeasureQuick?

Watch as Jim Bergmann of MeasureQuick shows you how to use the MeasureQuick software to complete an A/C system test.

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TA Council Virtual Forums Recap

The Outreach team recently hosted five virtual forums for authorized trade allies. During those presentations, the team discussed program updates and benefits, advertising during the pandemic, and had an open discussion with attendees to find out how COVID-19 has impacted your business. 

If you were unable to attend one of those forums and would like to see the presentation, click here. If you have follow up questions after reviewing it, please feel free to contact your Outreach Specialist. 

Current Program Advertising

Marketing for the Heating, Cooling, and Home Comfort program is in full swing! The TA Portal will be updated regularly with advertising artwork and run dates so you can see what customers are seeing. 


View All Current Evergy Marketing

Other Evergy Program Updates

Energy Savings Kit appointments have been reinstated as of May 29, 2020, and are being conducted virtually. If your team members recommend the ESK program to your customers, please be aware of this change and help us manage customer expectations. We will notify you as appointments become available for in-person visits. 

Funds Still Available for Co-Op Marketing

If you're interested in participating in the Evergy Co-Op Marketing program, you can still reserve funds. 

Here's How it Works:
1. Fill out and submit the Funds Request Form
2. Submit your artwork for approval before placing. Ads must include the Evergy logo along with the Heating, Cooling, and Home Comfort rebate information.
3. Run your advertising and submit the Claim Form to collect your reimbursement.
4. Find all of the forms plus co-op marketing guidelines on the TA Portal.

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TA Council Virtual Forum Recap

In May the Evergy Outreach Team hosted five virtual meetings with Trade Allies. During those meetings, the team discussed Program updates and benefits, presented on advertising during the pandemic, and had open discussion with attendees about the current COVID-19 impacts on businesses as well as a Program Q&A. 

If you were unable to attend one of the forums and would like to see the presentation, you can review the slide deck below. If you have any questions or would like more information after reviewing the presentation, feel free to reach out to your Outreach Specialist. 

TA Council Forum Presentation

Outreach Team Availability During COVID-19

The Evergy Programs are still moving forward and ready to assist you! While your Evergy Outreach Specialists are following state stay-at-home orders and working virtually, they remain available to you in several ways, including the following:

• Our team is continuing to process rebates and assist you with rebate submissions.
• If you or any of your staff need program training, we can easily and quickly arrange a customized virtual session with screen-sharing capabilities. Contact your Outreach Specialist for details and scheduling.
• Every member of our Outreach Team is available to help you and can be reached by phone, email or text; Brian, Terry and Mike’s contact info can be found at the bottom of this email.

Co-Op Marketing Reminder. Request Your Funds Now!

Cut Your Advertising Costs in 1/2! Evergy will help pay for it, up to $4k!
Don’t forget we have funds to assist in your advertising efforts. You can receive up to 50% of your marketing expenses reimbursed if you place qualified advertising between now and September 30, 2020.
Receive up to $4,000 when you run radio or TV, or up to $2,000 for all other advertising.

To get started, fill out and submit the Funds Request Form to reserve funds as they are on a first-come first-serve basis. Once approved, submit your artwork for review and approval before placing your advertising. Guidelines for qualifying can be found in the Marketing Guidelines document. Contact your Outreach Specialist with any questions or for additional information.

Survey Reminder

Last week, Evergy sent an email with a message of support during the COVID-19 crisis. Included in that email was a link to a short survey to let us know how the Coronavirus is impacting your business. If you have not completed this survey, we ask that you take a couple moments and do so. This information will provide insight to help us understand your current situation and look for other ways we can support you and your business.

Click Here to Take the Survey.

COVID-19 Resources

As we learn of resources and other information that may be of value to you and your business during the current pandemic, we will provide those details to you. We came across the following piece of information from Google that may help some of you:

Google is working to help small and medium-sized businesses with ad credits, which can be used towards future ad spend, until the end of 2020 across Google Ads platforms. Your business must have been actively advertising with Google since January 2019. You can find more information here.

Other Evergy Program Updates

Given the current stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, all Energy Savings Kit appointments have been canceled as of March 19, and no new appointments will be scheduled until further notice. We will communicate to you and those customers who had appointments reserved when scheduling is back open. Appointments will be postponed as long as there is a Missouri or city-level stay-at-home order.

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Key Deadlines for Program Year End

As the end of the year draws near, we want to make you aware of important deadlines. We will send reminders about these key dates as they get closer. Contact your Outreach Specialist if you have any questions about these deadlines. 

Installations must be completed by December 31, 2019
Applications must be in no later than January 10, 2020

2020 Rebate Program Announced

Good news! The Residential Rebate program will continue in 2020. The program design is similar to last year with minor changes in rebate values. Please see the new incentive chart here. These rebates will be effective for installations beginning January 1, 2020.

The program will have a new name -  Heating, Cooling and Home Comfort. Your Outreach Specialist will be contacting you over the next few weeks with more information.  

HVAC Equipment Replacement Age 

Don't forget that in order for HVAC equipment to qualify for the Residential Rebate program, the removed system must be five years or older. New construction is also not eligible for rebates with the exception of ground source heat pumps. 
If you have any questions about rebate eligibility, please contact your Outreach Specialist. 

Co-Op Marketing Funds Reimbursement Deadline

If you participated in the fall Co-Op Marketing program, please remember your Claims forms were due December 1. In order to receive any reimbursement for advertising you submitted for approval between October 1 and November 30, you must fill out the Claims form and submit along with your paid receipts or invoices. Please submit your Claims form as soon as possible. If you have any questions please be sure to contact your Outreach Specialist.

You can access the Claims form here. 

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Total Equipment Applications (A/C & HP) 4/1/2019 to 11/30/2019

KCP&L and Westar Energy merged to bring you Evergy, evolving to create more savings, sustainable energy and solutions that meet your needs.

Use of the Evergy and KCP&L logos 

If you currently use the KCP&L logo and/or name in customer marketing, co-op marketing, on your website, or any other way, you will need to either stop using the logo or switch it to the Evergy logo and name effective October 5, 2019. You can access our new logo on the Trade Ally Portal under Marketing Resources.

As a reminder, KCP&L will become Evergy on October 5, 2019. You may begin to see Evergy branded materials and websites in the coming days.

We are thrilled to finally introduce ourselves as Evergy this October, and we thank you for your partnership. For questions, please contact your Outreach Specialist. 

New Co-Op Marketing Fall Special

Beginning early October, a new co-op marketing program will launch for Fall. When you place qualifying advertising between October 8, 2019 and December 1, 2019, you can receive reimbursement of up to 50% of your marketing expenses. 

Your advertising will need to include the Evergy logo AND mention the rebate program and amounts available. All artwork must be submitted and approved before executing. 

Co-Op Marketing guidelines, funds request form, and claims form will be emailed out in the next few days. Once you receive these forms, you can fill out a Funds Request form to reserve your marketing dollars. Please be sure to read the Guidelines for how to qualify for the reimbursement in funds. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Outreach Specliast. 

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Total Equipment Applications (A/C & HP) 4/1/2019 to 9/30/2019