Mark Your Calendars - Power Rebate App™ Webinar November 30th

Submitting your rebate applications just got a whole lot easier! Interested in completing your customer rebates right on your smart phone or tablet directly from the field. From submitting details about the customer's home to uploading your invoice, this app will save you time, reduce paperwork and help eliminate data entry errors; you can just take a picture!

Webinar includes introduction and overview of Power Rebate App™. For those who participate, your outreach manager will also follow-up with on-site training where you can get hands on experience working with the app.
 

Who should attend: Lead Installers, Installation Managers and Supervisors, Owners, and others involved in submitting rebates.
 
Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Morning Webinar: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Afternoon Webinar: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

RSVP here for the Morning Webinar
RSVP here for the Afternoon Webinar

November Friendly Reminder

Find co-branded marketing materials (social media toolkit, door hanger and postcard) on the Trade Ally Portal to promote KCP&L rebates to your customers.

News Flash: Commissioning Report is No Longer A Requirement 

A Commissioning Report is no longer required when submitting a rebate on the Online Intake Tool (OIT).

Breaking News: Energy Savings Kit is No Longer a Requirement for Insulation and Air Sealing Rebate

We have a new development! The Energy Savings Kit is no longer a requirement for customers to participate in the Insulation and Air Sealing Rebate. Customers will still be required to get the comprehensive energy audit.
As a reminder, even though it’s now not required, as with all the other KCP&L rebates and programs, the Energy Savings Kit is still a great offering to be sure your customers are aware of. Thanks for your valued partnership!
If you have any questions, please contact us at residentialrebates@kcpl.com.

Expiring Tax Credits

Federal Tax Credits are set to expire at the end of the year.
This provides you the perfect opportunity to remind your customers of the limited time for these tax credits, while pairing with KCP&L rebates, to make the end of the year a great time to replace an inefficient system or a stand-alone ECM as customers are upgrading their furnace.
Here is a link to the ENERGY STAR® website with information on Heating and Cooling Federal Tax Credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.
As a reminder, here are the tax credit amounts:

• Central Air Conditioning - $300
• Air-Source Heat Pump - $300
• Heat Pump Water Heater – $300
• Geothermal Heat Pump – 30% of total installation cost (no cap)

You can also share with your customers, information on the KCP&L Heating and Cooling Rebate by directing them to our website.

The Fall Promo is Still On, but Ending Soon!

Only you, a KCP&L-Authorized Trade Ally, can offer rebates to our shared customers, this is something that we want you to be able to use to set yourself apart from some of the competition . And we want to help you be successful in your heat pump sales this fall! Therefore KCP&L is sponsoring a special promotion – a $25 spiff to all KCP&L-Authorized Trade Allies for every heat pump installation (replacing an existing heat pump or electric heating equipment) during October and November.

Here's how it works:

• KCP&L-Authorized Trade Ally Companies will receive a $25 spiff payment every 2 weeks for each heat pump installed and accompanying rebate application during the spiff.
• Heat pump must be installed between October 1 - November 30, 2016.
• Heat Pump promotion includes all heat pumps, including ground source and mini-splits.
• No spiffs will be paid for installations after November 30, 2016, however applications for heat pumps installed in October and November can be submitted after November 30, but must be received by December 31, 2016.
• All KCP&L-Authorized Trade Allies are automatically enrolled for the spiff promotion, no registration is required.

Let us know how else we can support you this fall so we can help you sell, sell, sell!!

Notable Tip for Online Intake Tool (OIT)

Did you know when you are submitting a rebate application on the OIT, you can leave a note for the processor? If there is something you need to clarify in the application, feel free to enter comments in the Project Notes section and the processor will be able to see it.

Just follow these 6 easy steps:

*The Notes section is only available after you submit the application.
1. After you click “Submit”, return to your list of applications.
2. Find the application you want to add notes to, and in the far right column, click on the “Action” arrow and select “Review”.

3. In the navigation menu in the upper left corner, click on “Rebate Information”.  This is where the Notes section is located.

4. Under the Project Information section, you’ll see the Project Notes section.
5. Click on “Add Note” and enter your comments in the pop-up window.
6. When finished, click Save and then click “Continue”. Notes entered in this section will then be uploaded and become part of the application.

If you have any questions on how adding a note, please contact your Outreach Manager.

Program Update
We’re currently at 51% of our goal for this program year and have four months, until March 31, 2017 to hit 100%. Remember there are plenty of incentives available, so no need to hold back!

Federal Tax Credits are set to expire at the end of the year.
 
This provides you the perfect opportunity to remind your customers of the limited time for these tax credits, while pairing with KCP&L rebates, to make the end of the year a great time to replace an inefficient system or a stand-alone ECM as customers are upgrading their furnace.
 
Here is a link to the ENERGY STAR® website with information on Heating and Cooling Federal Tax Credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.
 
As a reminder, here are the tax credit amounts:

• Central Air Conditioning - $300
• Air-Source Heat Pump - $300
• Heat Pump Water Heater – $300
• Geothermal Heat Pump – 30% of total installation cost (no cap)

You can also share with your customers, information on the KCP&L Heating and Cooling Rebate by directing them to our website.
 

KCP&L Heating and Cooling Rebate - 2016 Fall Heat Pump Promotion

KCP&L is continuing to heavily market the Heating and Cooling Rebate to our mutual customers through bill inserts, Valpak coupons, direct mail, email, radio and online advertising this fall. Many of which promote high-efficiency heat pumps and highlight that now, as the temperatures are dropping, is the time to take advantage of the great savings being offered.

In an effort to help drive your heat pump sales this fall, KCP&L is sponsoring a special promotion where we are offering a $25 spiff to all KCP&L-Authorized Trade Allies for every heat pump installation (replacing an existing heat pump or electric heating equipment) during October and November.

Here’s how it works:

• KCP&L-Authorized Trade Ally Companies will receive a $25 spiff payment every 2 weeks for each heat pump installed and accompanying rebate application during the spiff.
• Heat pump must be installed between October 1 - November 30, 2016.
• Heat Pump promotion includes all heat pumps, including ground source and mini-splits.
• No spiffs will be paid for installations after November 30, 2016, however applications for heat pumps installed in October and November can be submitted after November 30, but must be received by December 31, 2016.
• All Trade Allies are automatically enrolled for the spiff promotion, no additional paperwork or registration is required.
• Updates on how many spiffs are being awarded will be shared in the Trade Ally Portal News section on a weekly basis (you’ll need your Trade Ally portal log-in to access this page, it’s the same as your company’s OIT log-in).

Questions? Please contact Terry Kemper (816) 730-7613, Manny Cano (816) 920-3700, or Mike Trainor (913) 258-4061.

We Built It, So You Will Come - Trade Ally Web Portal!

Just in time for the end of cooling season and the beginning of the heating season, we’re ready to reveal the web-portal specifically created for you. Check out KCPLTradeAlly.com now and bookmark it for later! This is your convenient one-stop shop for information and marketing resources related to KCP&L Home Energy Savings. The next phase of this website will include a print-on-demand option. You can use the same log in your company uses for the online intake tool for the authorized trade ally-only sections of the site.

September Friendly Reminder

Forgot to upload a document, but the application has been submitted? Send it over to us either by fax 877-574-3340 or email residentialrebates@kcpl.com.

Want to Help Get Rebates/Programs in KS?

Many of you have asked how you can help support energy efficiency in Kansas and our present filing.  It would be great if you would send any comments you may have directly to the Public Affairs office at the KCC. You can reference Docket No. 16-KCPE-446-TAR and state in your comments that you want your comments included as part of the record.
Here is the contact information:

• Email:  public.affairs@kcc.ks.gov
• Toll Free Helpline: (800) 662-0027
• Phone: (785) 271-3140
• Fax: (785) 271-3111
• TDD Kansas Relay Center: (800) 766-3777
• Mail: KCC - Public Affairs & Consumer Protection
  1500 SW Arrowhead Rd.
  Topeka, KS 66604-4027

We will be going to hearing next week, so it would be beneficial for you to submit your comments as soon as possible.  Thanks for your help in this effort.

Rebate Incentive Explained - ECM and the Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump

The ECM rebate is structured to pay per outdoor condensing unit, not per indoor air handling unit, which in many cases houses the ECM; meaning the rebate is for one ECM per outdoor condensing unit. Still unclear on the rebate? Contact us.

New Financing Tool

Renovate America, the leading provider of residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and the Missouri Clean Energy District (MCED) recently announced their new Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) program. HERO offers new financing options to Missouri homeowners who make energy-efficient and renewable energy improvements to their home. These energy upgrades can be paid for over time through local property taxes at a fixed interest rate. This is yet another benefit to offer your customers who are looking for low interest financing options, plus it can help boost your business and means no financing charge for you! This financing program along with several energy efficiency incentives, including the rebate being offered by KCP&L creates a very attractive sales package for energy efficiency.

To learn more about this opportunity, come join us for this informational session on Monday, September 12, 8:30 – 11 am. We just sent out an invitation to this meeting, but if you missed it and would like to attend, please email us your name and company name to residentialrebates@kcpl.com.

We Have a New Time Saver for You - Fillable PDF Files!

All KCP&L-Authorized Trade Ally supporting rebate documents are now available as fillable PDF files. This will allow you to fill in your information one time, save it and use that version for each new customer - saving you time on paperwork! Click on the following documents to download and save for future use:

• Heating and Cooling Rebate Commissioning Report
• Heating and Cooling Rebate Efficiency Analysis
• Heating and Cooling Rebate Reassignment Form
• Insulation and Window Rebate Reassignment Form

For more information on how to fill out and sign PDFs, click here. 

KCP&L Marketing Happenings

We currently have in place a major marketing campaign to our mutual customer base; primarily promoting our Heating and Cooling Rebate – we feel this campaign is timely as the temperatures are slowly falling – specifically in a targeted promotion of the heat pump technology to those that have this existing equipment.

Marketing Details

We will have a mix of print, search engine marketing, digital and radio advertising that will run in the Greater Kansas City area along with our outlying areas (St. Joe, Sedalia, Nevada, Maryville, Independence, Platte City and Lee’s Summit); to more than 400,000 residential MO customers. On the new trade ally portal, in the Marketing Resources section, you can find specific details of our upcoming customer outreach tactics; as one of our authorized trade allies, you have the opportunity to use this information and align with your marketing efforts if you wish. To access this information, which is password protected, please use the same username and password you use to access the online intake tool.

Program Update

We want to keep you in the loop of where we are with our goals, so we will be including an incentive budget update in all future newsletters. We’re at 33% of our goal for this program year and have until March 31, 2017 to hit 100%. So remember there is plenty of incentive available, so no need to hold back on offering the rebate to your customers.

We'd like to congratulate the winners of our Promotion!

Prizes: The top three performing companies in each category, as listed above, won the following prizes:

We're Here to Help you Capitalize on Peak AC Season!

We know you’re out there working hard during these hot summer months. It’s the perfect time to educate your customers about the KCP&L Heating and Cooling Rebate and help them save hundreds on new high-efficiency equipment. We’re here to support your efforts every step of the way, so feel free to email us or call us at 816-772-1010 with any questions. We want to make sure you have all the tools you need to remind customers that now is the time to take advantage of these valuable rebates.

Temperatures Are Hot and so Is the Competition! 
  
Are you participating in the KCP&L Summer AC and Heat Pump Promotion? Don't forget: you only have until July 31st to submit qualifying equipment rebate applications for your chance to win! As explained in the promotion email you received earlier, KCP&L wants to offer a fair chance to all KCP&L-Authorized trade allies, no matter the company size! The top three performing companies in each category (small, medium, and large) will be awarded their prizes by the end of August.
 
Haven’t signed up? You still have a chance to get in the game! As a reminder, KCP&L-authorized trade allies with the greatest number of qualifying HVAC equipment installations and accompanying rebate applications during the contest period will win one of three fantastic diagnostic tools. The promotional period will run during the month of July, and prizes will be awarded at the end of August. Winners will be able to use their brand new diagnostic tools for the busy end of summer equipment upgrades.
 
All contractors who have signed a 2016 Trade Ally Participation Agreement and are in good standing throughout the promotional period of July 1 to July 31, 2016, are eligible to participate.
 
Check out the latest stats of submitted applications as of 7/25 —how does your company stack up against the competition?

Introducing the Power Rebate^TM App
  
Submitting your customers’ rebate applications is now easier than ever with our Power Rebate App, the first mobile rebate app specifically designed for the HVAC industry. Download the app today for your iOS or Android device. Contact your outreach manager to get set up with a username and password and for training to use the app.
 
The app streamlines and improves the rebate process. How? It solves many of the challenges that hamper current rebate programs, including the administrative burden for contractors and incomplete and flawed rebate applications; both of which means a potential delay in issuing rebates to customers.
 
Benefits include the following:

• Increased customer satisfaction. By shifting data collection and submission to the field, rebate applications are submitted immediately after the work is completed. This step eliminates the normal 1- to 3-week delay from the contractor’s back office, so customers receive their rebate checks sooner.
• Increased contractor satisfaction. By streamlining the data collected and leveraging a combination of barcode scanning, photographs, geotagging, and auto-fill functionality, the level of effort required by contractors is minimized.

Interested in using the app? Contact Manny Cano for more information.

Avoid Delays by Following These Tips

1. Make Sure it Matches: Model numbers of the new equipment must match to meet the rebate SEER requirements per the AHRI certificate. They must also match what is on the Invoice. Our processors will check the AHRI certificate number and if any of the model numbers are different than what is on the Invoice, or if the matching system doesn’t meet the SEER requirement for the rebate applied for, they’ll hold up the rebate and request clarification.
2. Snap a Pic to Ensure Accuracy: The customer’s name and account number on the Invoice, Commissioning Report, Terms and Conditions, and Rebate Reassignment Form (if applicable) should all match customer’s KCP&L utility bill. If possible, take a picture of the customer’s bill to ensure accuracy.
3. All Equipment Isn’t Equal: If existing equipment being replaced is still operating, it must be 10 SEER maximum or less, and 5 or more years old. If anything higher than 10 SEER is written on the Commissioning Report, the rebate will be held up until resolved. If the old system is failed, this is not a requirement.
4. No “Rounding Up”: Air conditioners must be a 15 or 16 SEER, and heat pumps a 15 or 16 SEER with 8.5 HSPF or higher, or 17 SEER with 8.6 HSPF or higher. For example, if the equipment is AHRI certified at 15.5, it does not qualify for the higher 16 SEER rebate amount.

News Flash! There is a 30-day limit on submitting rebate applications from the date of installation. Please start meeting this deadline to avoid applications getting turned down. If you have a backlog of applications and need help getting caught up, your outreach manager will be happy to help you! 

Coming Soon: Trade Ally Web-Portal

We’re putting the finishing touches on our Trade Ally web-portal, due for release in late summer. This will be a convenient one-stop shop for information and marketing resources related to KCP&L Home Energy Savings, including a print-on-demand option. Everything you need, all in one place. 

Here's a Bright Idea!

Did you know that KCP&L offers LED bulb discounts? You and your customers can save up to $4 instantly at checkout on the purchase of select ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulbs at participating retailers. And because LEDs use 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, you’ll save on energy costs and minimize the hassle of replacing bulbs. Share this bright idea with your friends, neighbors and customers! You can find participating retailers in your area here.

Welcome Aboard!

As a KCP&L-Authorized Trade Ally, you play a crucial role in the success of our efforts to promote energy efficiency within the whole home, particularly with our Heating and Cooling Rebate as well as our Insulation and Window Rebate.
 
Contractors are our feet on the street! To help you succeed, we’ve created the Trade Ally Update newsletter as a way to get the information on program benefits and requirements you need, as well as tips for selling different offers to customers. Along with the Trade Ally Alliance web-portal (coming soon), this newsletter is your connection to the latest updates, tools, events, and trainings to support your work. Have a question or suggestion for a future newsletter? Let us know!

Capitalizing on AC Season 

Summer is upon us. Now’s the time to educate your customers about the KCP&L Heating and Cooling Rebate, which can help them save hundreds on new high-efficiency equipment.
 
Here are some talking points you can use: 

• As much as half of the energy used in a home goes to air conditioning and heating.
• Today’s high-efficiency units can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs—saving a typical homeowner more than $115 a year on energy costs.
• If equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your home comfortable, consider replacing it with high-efficiency equipment.
• Don’t wait until your old equipment fails, which could happen during the heat of the summer, leaving you high and dry—and hot!
• High-efficiency central air conditioners qualify for KCP&L rebates from $125 to $400+ and heat pumps from $150 to $900+

To help drum up interest among our mutual customers, KCP&L is heavily promoting our rebate through numerous channels, including bill inserts, Valpak coupons, and radio and online advertising, just to name a few. All of these promotional efforts underscore the benefits of high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps and remind customers that now is the time to take advantage of these valuable rebates.

Summer AC & Heat Pump Promotion 

Want to win free diagnostic tools for your team? To help drive air conditioner and heat pump sales, we’re sponsoring a special sweepstakes promotion for our KCP&L-authorized trade allies throughout the month of July.
 
How does it work? Simply install the most number of units of qualifying air conditioners and heat pumps and submit accompanying rebate applications during the contest period. All contractors who have signed a 2016 Trade Ally Participation Agreement and are in good standing throughout the promotional period of July 1 to July 31, 2016, are eligible to participate. (Must be registered to participate by clicking the button below.)  

Prizes
The top three contractors in each category will win the following prizes:

Contest Timeline
The contest period runs from July 1 through July 31, 2016. Qualifying units need to be installed and applications submitted during the contest period.
 
Questions? Contact Manny Cano.

KCP&L has been heavily marketing the Heating and Cooling Rebate to our mutual customers through bill inserts, Valpak coupons, radio, online advertising, etc. All of which promote the benefits of high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps and highlight that now is the time to take advantage of the great savings being offered.

In an effort to help drive your air conditioner and heat pump sales, KCP&L is sponsoring a special sweepstakes promotion offering fantastic diagnostic tools as prizes for the winning companies. The promotional period will run during the month of July, and prizes will be awarded to the top performing KCP&L-authorized trade ally companies in three categories (as shown below.) 

Here’s how it works:

KCP&L-authorized trade allies with the greatest number of qualifying HVAC equipment installations and accompanying rebate applications during the contest period will win. Winners will be selected in three different categories to offer a fair chance to all companies, whether small, medium, or large.

All contractors who have signed a 2016 Trade Ally Participation Agreement and are in good standing throughout the promotional period of July 1 to July 31, 2016, are eligible to participate. 

  
Prizes:

The top three performing KCP&L-authorized trade ally companies in each category will win the following prizes:

To be eligible for this promotion, you must register through the link above and submit completed applications for qualified equipment on or before July 31, 2016.

KCP&L Mass Marketing Campaign

We currently have in place a major marketing campaign to our mutual customer base; primarily promoting our Heating and Cooling Rebate – we feel this campaign is timely as and the Spring flowers begin to bloom – indicating the summer ‘dog’ days are just around the corner!
 
Marketing Details
We will have a mix of print, search engine marketing, digital and radio advertising that will run in the Greater Kansas City area along with our outlying areas (St. Joe, Sedalia, Nevada, Maryville, Independence, Platte City and Lee’s Summit); to our more than 400,000 residential MO customers. Layering in with this, there will also be additional outreach via email, direct mail, social media and other tactics.
 
Below we are providing you with specific details of our upcoming customer outreach tactics; if you are one of our Authorized Trade Allies, you now have the opportunity to use this information in your marketing efforts if you wish.
 
Schedule of Campaign #1 Activity

*Please feel free to offer feedback about marketing pieces and/or customer feedback on any ‘how did you hear’ messages.

 
Other Happenings and Reminders

 
Energy Savings Kit – Insulation and Windows Rebate Prerequisite Requirement Update
Due to feedback from our valued authorized auditor trade ally’s and after some additional thought through business models, tariff filing review and customer process mapping we have made the decision to allow our auditor trade allies the option to go ahead with the initial audit and the upgrade installs, prior to the customer participating in the Energy Saving Kit – we do require this, by our KCP&L representatives, prior to the rebate application submittal.
 
Insurance Requirement Update
1. Changing from: Automobile liability with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 each accident for bodily injury by accident and by disease. Changed to $500,000.
2. Changing from: Commercial excess or umbrella insurance with a limit of not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence. Changed to $1,000,000.
 
Permit Reminder
Pulling a permit, is a requirement in most local municipalities - and is listed as such in the Trade Ally Participation Agreement.
 
KEEIA Filing (Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act) – Update
We’re working hard to offer Kansas customers the same opportunity to save. We are in the process of requesting approval from Kansas Corporation Commission and hope to launch new programs in 2017.
 
If you have any questions, please direct them to your Outreach Manager, Manny Cano.