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

Dear Authorized Trade Ally –
 
For a limited time, KCP&L is offering a $100 bonus incentive to customers when they upgrade their central air conditioner or air source heat pump through the Residential Rebate Program. Additionally, the rebate amounts for Ground Source Heat Pumps have increased. Please see below for details and feel free to contact your Outreach Specialist if you have any questions. 


When will the $100 bonus incentive be available?
KCP&L Missouri residential customers who install eligible equipment beginning September 3, 2019 through October 31, 2019 will receive the $100 bonus incentive.  

Who is eligible for the $100 bonus incentive?
KCP&L Missouri residential customers are currently eligible to receive the $100 bonus incentive.

What equipment qualifies for the $100 bonus incentive?
See the rebate chart for a detailed list. Customers who upgrade their central air conditioner or an air source heat pump will receive the $100 bonus.

Is the $100 bonus incentive built in to the incentive amounts listed on the rebate chart?
No. The $100 bonus incentive is in addition to the current rebate amounts listed on the rebate chart. For example, if a customer were to upgrade to a SEER 15 air source heat pump, he or she would receive a rebate check for $400 ($300 for the air source heat pump upgrade, plus $100 for the bonus incentive). 

What do customers or Trade Allies need to do to ensure customers receive the $100 bonus incentive?
Trade Allies and customers do not need to do anything extra to receive the $100 bonus. The $100 will automatically be added to the customer's rebate check. The additional $100 will not appear on the Online Intake Tool.

What are the new rebate amounts for GSHP?
Click here to access an updated Residential Rebate Program rebate chart. The new rebate amounts for GSHPs are effective for installs between September 3, 2019 and December 31, 2019.

KCP&L Will Soon be Evergy

As you have likely heard, KCP&L and Westar Energy will become Evergy this October. By combining KCP&L and Westar in 2018, a leading energy company was created to serve 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We still live and work where you do, and we’re more committed than ever to moving energy forward with you as our Trade Ally partner.
 
What does this mean for you as a Trade Ally partner?
As a combined company, we'll be able to serve our customers even better by continuing our commitment to clean energy, innovate solutions and community relationships. You can expect the same relationship with Evergy and the same dedication and commitment to our Trade Ally network. Below we have outlined a few details that you may find helpful:

• Our program offerings are not changing because of the Evergy name. Customer eligibility, current program rebate offerings, and rebate dollar amounts will not be impacted by our new company name.
• While our URL’s and email addresses will look a bit different, the process of how you submit applications will remain the same.   
• You can still connect with your Outreach Specialists through their same contact information.
• If you access the Trade Ally portal, you can still use your same login information.
• If you use our logo in customer marketing, on your website, or in any other way - all logos must be changed to Evergy on October 5, 2019. You can access our new logo on the Trade Ally Portal under Marketing Resources.
• Our terms and conditions have been updated to reflect our new jurisdiction names:
  • Westar > Evergy Kansas Central
  • KCP&L KS > Evergy Kansas Metro
  • KCP&L MO > Evergy Missouri Metro
  • KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations (GMO) > Evergy Missouri West

We are thrilled to finally introduce ourselves as Evergy this October, and we thank you for your partnership. You can visit us anytime at Evergy.com. For questions, please contact your Outreach Specialist. 

TA Portal Update

We have recently added new content to the Trade Ally Portal to improve communication with our trade allies and provide a simpler way to access marketing information regarding the KCP&L Residential Rebate program. 

When you visit the TA Portal, you will find the most recent advertising KCP&L is running to promote the rebate program, as well as previous newsletters and communications, and artwork templates for trade allies to utilize for their own marketing needs. 

Efficiency Analysis Reward

As many of you are aware, for a limited time, KCP&L is rewarding trade ally technicians who are early adopters of the Efficiency Analysis (EA) Tune-Up measure. This reward will help offset the cost of the Field Piece tool set required for the Measure Quick Application.

The first 25 technicians who perform 10 EAs using the Measure Quick Software will receive $400. All 10 EAs must be completed and verified in our systems before rewards will be issued. Limit of one (1) reward per technician, however trade ally companies may have multiple technicians participate.

Click here for a list of program requirements. Contact your Outreach Specialist with questions.

Congratulations to Spencer Gosslelin (A.B. May), Mason Houfek and Estuardo Vasques (Summit Heating and Cooling) for being the first technicians to earn the EA Reward!

Customer Qualification for Rebates

As awareness of the Residential Rebate program grows among KCP&L customers, please be sure to clearly communicate to your customers if the equipment they are selecting qualifies for the current KCP&L rebates. Only equipment rated SEER15+ will qualify, and the rebate amount increases with a higher rated piece of equipment. 

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Total Equipment Applications (A/C & HP) 4/1/2019 to 7/31/2019

New Rebate Chart, Terms & Conditions

On April 1, 2018, the Heating and Cooling program terms & conditions and some rebate amounts changed. These changes also include the Insulation and Air Sealing program as well.

Click here to access the new Terms & Conditions
Click here to access the new Rebate Chart
 

30-Day Application Deadline

Any measures installed before April 1, 2018 must be submitted to the program before May 1, 2018. As a reminder, all applications should be submitted within 30 days. If you are having problems submitting applications or have questions, please contact your Outreach Specialist. 
 

Limited Funds Left for Co-Op Marketing Program 
Funds are still available for the KCP&L Co-Op Marketing program on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve funds to cover 50%, up to $2,000, of your marketing costs when you include the KCP&L logo and Heating and Cooling program in your ads. Visit the Marketing Resources section of the Trade Ally Portal to access the Funds Request Form and more information regarding the Co-Op Marketing program.
 

Top 20 Ranking
Total Equipment Applications (HP & AC) YTD as of 4/22/2018
 

TA Appreciation Even Recap 

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to this year's TA Appreciation event at Boulevard Brewery on March 28. We hope you all had a wonderful time and we look forward to celebrating your achievements with you next year. Click here to see more photos from the event on the KCP&L Trade Ally Portal. Congratulations to the following winners who took home awards the night of the event. Awards were handed out for achievement in four categories, based on company size.

• A. B. May Company - Most Demand Savings and Quickest Application Turnaround
• Star Energy Consultants - Most Demand Savings
• AFC Heating and Cooling - Most Demand Savings and Highest Application Accuracy
• Lee's Summit Heating & Cooling - Most Demand Savings
• Geist Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. - Highest Application Accuracy
• Climate Control Heating & Cooling, Inc. - Highest Application Accuracy
• Green Improvement Consulting - Highest Application Accuracy
• Buckner's Heating & Cooling Co. - Quickest Application Turnaround
• JAKES Industrial - Quickest Application Turnaround
• ECS Geothermal, Inc. - Highest Average kW per Application
• Comfort Heating & Cooling - Highest Average kW per Application
• Midwest Heating Cooling & Plumbing - Highest Average kW per Application

If you were unable to attend the Nest Thermostat Training on April 25, or would like follow up information from the training session, you can access the installation and configuration guides for both models by clicking below.

Nest Thermostat E Guide - Click Here

Nest Learning Thermostat Guide - Click Here