WEBVTT 00:00:04.549 --> 00:00:07.230 This episode brought to you by Rewiring America, 00:00:07.629 --> 00:00:10.310 leading electrification nonprofit focused on 00:00:10.310 --> 00:00:13.189 electrifying our homes, communities, and businesses. 00:00:13.550 --> 00:00:20.170 Learn more at rewiringamerica .org. Well, hello, 00:00:20.190 --> 00:00:21.870 everyone. Thank you so much for joining us once 00:00:21.870 --> 00:00:25.589 again on Did You Know, the ESCO HVAC podcast. 00:00:25.969 --> 00:00:28.949 So today we're spending some time with Alex and 00:00:28.949 --> 00:00:31.670 Tom from Rewiring America. Gentlemen, how are 00:00:31.670 --> 00:00:34.700 you doing today? Doing well. Doing great. thanks 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:37.420 for having us oh absolutely you know we'd um 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:40.659 we've talked before about the electrification 00:00:40.659 --> 00:00:42.859 movement and the role that you're playing in 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:45.799 the industry and then um you know you struck 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:48.659 up a point that i just kind of forgotten about 00:00:48.659 --> 00:00:50.920 i mean i knew it but i didn't really i guess 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:53.539 i haven't been considering the impact of it you 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:56.020 know there was a lot of our heat pump movement 00:00:56.020 --> 00:00:59.219 and not just heat pumps but heat pump water heaters 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:01.880 solar installations there were a lot of energy 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:06.230 efficiency movements that were really doing well 00:01:06.230 --> 00:01:09.150 across the country until we recently had the 00:01:09.150 --> 00:01:12.640 federal incentives. taxed on that. And so I'm 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:14.760 actually putting together a mobile studio should 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:16.519 be ready in the next few weeks. And we're going 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:18.680 to be putting a solar system on it so that when 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:20.680 I'm out and about, I don't have to rely on gas, 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:23.560 fossil fuel generators for running the thing. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:26.159 And so as I'm talking to the different installers, 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:28.280 like, you know, you got to get that done soon 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:29.959 because you only got to the end of the year for 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:32.299 your solar rebates. I'm like, oh, I forgot they 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:35.340 were axing that 30 % federal tax rebate for solar 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:40.870 as well. So when we start talking about The progress 00:01:40.870 --> 00:01:43.730 that we made and the impact that it has, I think 00:01:43.730 --> 00:01:45.090 it's very important for people to understand 00:01:45.090 --> 00:01:47.930 what that means. So I'd really appreciate if 00:01:47.930 --> 00:01:50.989 you guys could help us understand this transition 00:01:50.989 --> 00:01:56.530 a little bit better. Definitely. You know, we 00:01:56.530 --> 00:02:01.129 put together a campaign just now really to help 00:02:01.129 --> 00:02:04.109 homeowners also realize this, right, that these 00:02:04.109 --> 00:02:06.290 things are going away in pretty short order. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:11.080 these are yeah federal credits the solar ones 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:13.219 in particular have been around for a long time 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:16.340 uh you know since you know mid mid -aughts and 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:19.300 then they were initially uh introduced in the 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:23.840 late 70s even wow um but you know for 25c and 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.000 25d um these were designed for people when when 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:30.360 they needed it you know when they when homeowners 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:33.599 were you know ready to make that upgrade when 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:37.340 some, you know, appliance failed. And now we're 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:40.800 kind of in a, yeah, use it or lose it fire sale 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:45.240 situation, which is not ideal. But for, you know, 00:02:45.259 --> 00:02:47.780 people that happen to find themselves in that 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:51.300 situation or, you know, have been saving up to 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.439 make that upgrade, that's going to help them 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:55.860 on their bills. Now's the time to figure that 00:02:55.860 --> 00:02:58.039 out. Now's the time to pick up the phone and 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:01.639 talk to contractors and see, first of all, if 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:04.639 they've got any room to take on this work, but 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.919 if they can do it inside this last few months 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:12.409 of the calendar year. So yeah, Save on Clean 00:03:12.409 --> 00:03:14.469 Appliances is the campaign that we have. And 00:03:14.469 --> 00:03:16.229 we've just got, you know, roadmap, basically 00:03:16.229 --> 00:03:18.650 timeline for all the different credits and the 00:03:18.650 --> 00:03:22.169 appliances that are expiring. We've got contractor 00:03:22.169 --> 00:03:24.710 finder tools, which my colleague here can talk 00:03:24.710 --> 00:03:27.949 about at length. And then we've got something 00:03:27.949 --> 00:03:30.330 really cool with these drop -in sessions. So, 00:03:30.330 --> 00:03:33.050 you know, we've come to learn, you know, again, 00:03:33.189 --> 00:03:36.009 with this, with time being of the essence, really 00:03:36.009 --> 00:03:38.789 trying to help people. get their kind of you 00:03:38.789 --> 00:03:41.449 know very specific questions and troubleshooting 00:03:41.449 --> 00:03:45.150 and just you know uh other other um you know 00:03:45.150 --> 00:03:47.530 barriers that might be before them we're going 00:03:47.530 --> 00:03:50.689 to help them with experts uh on staff and part 00:03:50.689 --> 00:03:54.629 of our electric coach network so um that's the 00:03:54.629 --> 00:03:57.409 campaign currently but zooming back out to get 00:03:57.409 --> 00:03:59.729 more back to your question i mean i think we've 00:03:59.729 --> 00:04:01.990 seen you know over the last past couple years 00:04:02.590 --> 00:04:05.030 heat pump sales, you know, encroach and overtake 00:04:05.030 --> 00:04:10.270 those gas furnaces. And then similarly, you know, 00:04:10.270 --> 00:04:12.210 reducing the market share of just one, you know, 00:04:12.210 --> 00:04:15.520 just one way ACs. And I think, you know, that's 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:18.399 in part because of these credits being available, 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:21.639 savvy contractors making it part of their pitches 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:25.600 and then rising consumer awareness. You know, 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:28.339 media posts in the Inflation Reduction Act did 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:30.699 a number of stories basically on these credits. 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:34.939 So I think that there's a lot of momentum and 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.519 it's going to carry us through. It's going to 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:39.740 be choppy waters for sure. But again, the performance, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:43.420 the comfort that this type of appliances deliver 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:47.600 and the energy savings for tens of millions of 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.800 American families is still going to be a good 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:53.129 deal past the end of this year. Yeah, a lot of 00:04:53.129 --> 00:04:54.949 people don't even realize what these incentives 00:04:54.949 --> 00:04:58.269 are and the fact that they are going to expire 00:04:58.269 --> 00:05:00.889 at the end of the year. Could you tell us a little 00:05:00.889 --> 00:05:04.569 bit about what these incentives include? And 00:05:04.569 --> 00:05:08.709 when we talk about end of the year, is that installation 00:05:08.709 --> 00:05:14.230 date? Where are we at with that? Yes. So actually, 00:05:14.269 --> 00:05:17.089 the IRS did put out a little bit of guidance 00:05:17.089 --> 00:05:20.750 at the end of last week. um and as we expected 00:05:20.750 --> 00:05:23.069 right um you got to look at these things in the 00:05:23.069 --> 00:05:25.189 most uh conservative you know interpretation 00:05:25.189 --> 00:05:29.449 possible so you know for solar that is that that's 00:05:29.449 --> 00:05:32.750 that is that system is uh installed and you know 00:05:32.750 --> 00:05:35.750 hooked up to the utility uh for for heat pumps 00:05:35.750 --> 00:05:39.000 that's yeah that that that It's installed. It's 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:43.160 purchased and installed before December 31st. 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:46.759 And so, you know, zooming back, what we're primarily 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:51.720 talking about here is, you know, 25C and 25D, 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:54.560 25C. That's also installation, right? Windows, 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:58.500 doors. Those are things that, yeah, millions 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:00.819 of Americans make those upgrades and claim those 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:05.639 credits every year. Right. So, yeah, it is from 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:08.360 top to bottom. Anything having to do with improving 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:11.680 your home's energy efficiency, those credits 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.639 that you've been able to rely on, millions have 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:18.160 for decades now. You've now got a few short months. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:21.459 So, you know, we're really focused on 25C. We're 00:06:21.459 --> 00:06:23.079 talking about insulation. We're talking about 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:26.279 heat pumps, heat pump water heaters. We're talking 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:29.160 about better windows. And then on the 25D side, 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:32.060 that's going to be rooftop solar and storage. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:36.519 And, you know, we did our homework before announcing 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:39.959 this campaign, talked to contractors in our network 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:43.120 and really on the HVAC side, got the sense that 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:46.379 there's room to take on increased demand. And 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:48.740 in fact, that most folks were getting more phone 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:53.019 calls on the 25D, the solar side, it's a little 00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:56.120 bit less likely. And so for folks thinking about 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:58.939 that, really got to make sure you talk to a solar 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:02.750 installer, you know, pronto. Yeah. Well, I know 00:07:02.750 --> 00:07:05.970 just from the three different companies that 00:07:05.970 --> 00:07:10.120 I called. Three weeks ago, when I first contacted 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:12.560 them, they were all, you know, two to three weeks, 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:15.339 maybe four weeks out. And then I got an email 00:07:15.339 --> 00:07:18.120 last week from one of the companies that said, 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.800 hey, I'm booked out right now until the middle 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:23.540 of October. It's probably going to be first of 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.560 November, realistically, if you can't decide 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:28.579 over the weekend. So that's really starting to 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:30.980 push our installation dates. And so we have to 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:33.660 be very aware that if we are considering doing 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:36.399 that purchase in the next few months, I would 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:39.209 be getting it planned. and scheduled now just 00:07:39.209 --> 00:07:40.810 to make sure because we don't want to get towards 00:07:40.810 --> 00:07:42.990 the end of the year and go, oh, you know, I've 00:07:42.990 --> 00:07:44.970 decided I'm going to go ahead and purchase this 00:07:44.970 --> 00:07:48.230 by the end of the year and then contact a few 00:07:48.230 --> 00:07:49.889 local contractors realizing that you're not going 00:07:49.889 --> 00:07:52.370 to be able to get it installed by the end of 00:07:52.370 --> 00:07:55.230 the year. And that is really the big concern, 00:07:55.430 --> 00:07:57.110 especially like this conversation. That's why 00:07:57.110 --> 00:07:58.769 I wanted to have this is I don't think people 00:07:58.769 --> 00:08:01.050 are realizing that that that is an installation 00:08:01.050 --> 00:08:04.889 date. That is not a purchase date. Yeah, it's 00:08:04.889 --> 00:08:07.769 an unfortunate situation. But yeah, I really 00:08:07.769 --> 00:08:10.290 appreciate you taking the time to make that point. 00:08:10.370 --> 00:08:12.389 And again, we got resources on our website and 00:08:12.389 --> 00:08:14.350 we're going to be shouting it from the rooftops 00:08:14.350 --> 00:08:16.629 as best we can. So nobody misses it that can 00:08:16.629 --> 00:08:21.480 take advantage of it. Exactly. So, Tom, what 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:24.939 are we seeing for rebates, particularly for like 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:27.279 heat pumps or even heat pump water heaters? What 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:30.540 could what could a consumer potentially receive 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:33.159 at the federal? And are there other incentives 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:36.899 that could be even stacked on top of that? Well, 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:42.710 the 25C. is up to $3 ,200 annual. Now that would 00:08:42.710 --> 00:08:45.590 be not only, as Alex said, not only for heat 00:08:45.590 --> 00:08:48.370 pumps, but also include those other energy efficiency 00:08:48.370 --> 00:08:52.570 upgrades. But each homeowner needs to also look 00:08:52.570 --> 00:08:55.110 at their local and their state levels because 00:08:55.110 --> 00:08:57.909 there are also state incentives that they could 00:08:57.909 --> 00:09:00.149 also get as well. We're seeing several states 00:09:00.149 --> 00:09:03.009 really step up and do some amazing things with 00:09:03.009 --> 00:09:04.730 their rebates that we're seeing stuff up in New 00:09:04.730 --> 00:09:08.570 England, also out West like Colorado. And so 00:09:08.570 --> 00:09:11.629 we're looking at not only this federal, but they 00:09:11.629 --> 00:09:15.029 also need to see what's local to them. And part 00:09:15.029 --> 00:09:17.909 of our website is also helping point people to 00:09:17.909 --> 00:09:19.929 the right places for their area. They're able 00:09:19.929 --> 00:09:22.690 to go in, put in where they live, and it's able 00:09:22.690 --> 00:09:25.590 to help them find out what's available to them 00:09:25.590 --> 00:09:28.690 in their area. Oh, fantastic. I know for myself, 00:09:28.970 --> 00:09:30.409 you know, I've been looking at what things I 00:09:30.409 --> 00:09:34.649 can do. I'm building a new barn dominium. And 00:09:34.649 --> 00:09:36.490 so I've been doing all the finishing. I'm getting 00:09:36.490 --> 00:09:39.710 into the mechanics now. And I was able to find 00:09:39.710 --> 00:09:43.889 a new heat pump water heater on sale at Lowe's 00:09:43.889 --> 00:09:49.960 and then factoring in my. potential 30 on the 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:53.320 federal side and then this is going to be installed 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:56.120 out in the country it was a you know co -op that 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:58.980 i didn't anticipate having any rebates and they 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:02.059 had a 500 rebate on this heat pump water heater 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:05.539 so i'm going to be able to install this high 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:08.120 performance heat pump hybrid heat pump water 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:12.179 heater and it is a wi -fi enabled and i will 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:14.419 be able to install that thing less than the cost 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:16.419 of a standard efficiency electric or gas water 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:18.639 heater And so that's the things that we have 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:21.919 to be very aware of as contractors and as consumers 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:25.879 that in many instances, this is a very significant 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:30.440 rebate and discount on these really high quality 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:35.330 products. Yeah, one of the things I found when 00:10:35.330 --> 00:10:37.629 I came to Rewire is I just didn't realize there 00:10:37.629 --> 00:10:40.009 were so many different opportunities available 00:10:40.009 --> 00:10:43.350 out there. And it was really eye -opening to 00:10:43.350 --> 00:10:45.470 me because I had only played in the HVAC world. 00:10:45.570 --> 00:10:48.409 That was kind of been my everything. And to come 00:10:48.409 --> 00:10:51.389 and to see that, first off, that Rewire has compiled 00:10:51.389 --> 00:10:53.950 such a great group of people is amazing. The 00:10:53.950 --> 00:10:55.549 work they're able to do and compile that, but 00:10:55.549 --> 00:10:58.029 have this one area of resource that they can 00:10:58.029 --> 00:11:01.769 go to. that has all of this information that, 00:11:01.789 --> 00:11:03.649 you know, and they could map out their electrification 00:11:03.649 --> 00:11:06.769 course. And there's just so much available there. 00:11:07.110 --> 00:11:10.049 And so it was really eye opening to me as the 00:11:10.049 --> 00:11:12.169 one who was just staying in my lane for so many 00:11:12.169 --> 00:11:14.350 years. And now to see all this that's that's 00:11:14.350 --> 00:11:16.190 available. And so people need to really do the 00:11:16.190 --> 00:11:19.730 research. But our goal is to to to make it where 00:11:19.730 --> 00:11:21.909 we have a one resource where they can go and 00:11:21.909 --> 00:11:24.009 see all that, you know, all these different information 00:11:24.009 --> 00:11:27.309 and point them to the right directions. Yeah. 00:11:27.409 --> 00:11:30.960 And we got Right now, just to double down on 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:34.320 that, you know, our calculator, which is the 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.639 kind of lowest lift, you know, quick, quick thing 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:39.379 to get you into the ballpark of what you might 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:42.580 be eligible for. That's a comprehensive of 30 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:45.940 states currently and counting. So from the state, 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:49.559 local utility level and federal incentives that 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:52.779 are that are going away. And then, you know, 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:57.779 not part of this. big beautiful bill act that 00:11:57.779 --> 00:12:00.000 eliminated these long -standing federal incentives 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:05.659 are the the the federally funded but state implemented 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:09.279 rebate program where right now I think there's 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:12.259 like 13 states that got one or the other program 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:16.480 up and running and basically every state but 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:19.639 one applied for that money and so you know still 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:22.860 choppy waters for that as well uh in terms of 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:25.220 what states are hearing from the department of 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:28.980 energy and what you know uh dots they are eyes 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:31.620 they got a dot and t's they got a cross but that 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:34.360 money's still there and and states want it uh 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:36.639 every state in this country except one wants 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:40.379 that money so um hopefully we start to see a 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:43.480 few more states announce their programs roll 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:45.500 it out and make it available to contractors and 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:49.350 homeowners Yeah, no, I definitely look forward 00:12:49.350 --> 00:12:50.690 to that. And it's great that you're collecting 00:12:50.690 --> 00:12:52.769 all this data into one place. We've been getting 00:12:52.769 --> 00:12:55.289 a lot of consumer and contractor phone calls. 00:12:55.490 --> 00:12:57.970 So we've even been considering on our landing 00:12:57.970 --> 00:13:00.970 page putting a consumer resource or consumer 00:13:00.970 --> 00:13:03.730 information section. And I would love to be able 00:13:03.730 --> 00:13:06.269 to link your site because it gives them all of 00:13:06.269 --> 00:13:07.850 the resources they need when they're looking 00:13:07.850 --> 00:13:11.470 at these purchases. And especially with the contractor 00:13:11.470 --> 00:13:14.090 database. Tell me a little bit more about the 00:13:14.090 --> 00:13:15.690 contractor database that you'd mentioned earlier. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:19.860 Yeah, so that's kind of been my real focus here. 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:22.080 One thing is kind of leading into that, though, 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:24.399 as we were compiling information and asking our 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:27.039 folks on the product team to give us an understanding 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:30.100 of what kind of traffic we're seeing. We have 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:32.559 already had more than one million use our calculator 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:34.899 to understand what incentives they qualify for. 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:38.440 And over 40 ,000 have created personal electrification 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:43.039 plans with 25 % of them include or heat pumps 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:45.940 or heat pumps and something else. So seeing a 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:48.539 lot of high volume, which gets us to the point 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:51.659 of one of the things that was the focus of when 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:53.600 I come here was we wanted to build a contractor 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:57.200 network because to me, and I use words that sometimes 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:59.820 that they shock people a little bit to me to 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:02.059 install a heat pump and not do it correctly and 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:04.889 not deliver on what you promised it to me. it's 00:14:04.889 --> 00:14:07.830 it's almost criminal in my mind i just and the 00:14:07.830 --> 00:14:09.789 reason being having spent so many years on tech 00:14:09.789 --> 00:14:11.690 support in oem world i just can't tell you how 00:14:11.690 --> 00:14:14.389 many jobs i went out to and saw it done incorrectly 00:14:14.389 --> 00:14:17.750 and i had to bite my tongue because oems want 00:14:17.750 --> 00:14:19.769 to keep selling equipment yeah i got a product 00:14:19.769 --> 00:14:23.139 but right it is what it is i mean i'm not begrudging 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.779 any of those folks i still got a lot of friends 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:27.179 at the brands that i used to work for but that's 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:29.179 just the way it is and so we wanted to create 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:33.299 a contractor network of people that uh we've 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:37.379 vetted uh so in at least some form or fashion 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:41.570 and so it just so happens that uh Bill Spohn 00:14:41.570 --> 00:14:46.970 and Kevin Hart created Better HVAC. So they contacted 00:14:46.970 --> 00:14:48.629 us. We were talking, you know, we wanted to create 00:14:48.629 --> 00:14:50.429 a contractor network. They wanted to create a 00:14:50.429 --> 00:14:52.230 contractor network. Well, let's collaborate on 00:14:52.230 --> 00:14:55.330 this. And so we are working with them. We're 00:14:55.330 --> 00:14:57.149 going to actually roll out. There'll be a big 00:14:57.149 --> 00:14:59.649 press release. I believe it's September 9th, 00:14:59.649 --> 00:15:05.250 just in time for the NCI Summit. And we are partnering 00:15:05.250 --> 00:15:10.299 together. to build a contractor network. So what 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:12.940 will happen is, you know, folks will go to betterhvac 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:15.600 .org to kind of come in the funnel. But once 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:18.379 they come in, they'll be asked if they would 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:21.379 like to go through the process to also be listed 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:24.539 on Rewire America's website as our contractor 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:26.639 in our contractor network, because what we're 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.259 doing, we'll be pulling that data from their 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:30.960 database, but only the ones that meet the criteria. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:33.320 So let me tell you what that is real quick. They 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:35.340 have to take a pledge, right? First off, we're 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.779 going to, we want to, copy of their mechanical 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.860 license to see that their license also certificate 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.360 of insurance to make sure everything's legit. 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:44.600 And then from there, the pledge is that the fact 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:46.799 that they're going to do a low calculation on 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.970 every job. Oh, wow. Whether it's a replacement 00:15:48.970 --> 00:15:51.429 or whether it's new, it does not matter to us. 00:15:51.850 --> 00:15:54.129 We've seen so many oversized systems out there 00:15:54.129 --> 00:15:57.429 not performing. It's just, you know, my own house 00:15:57.429 --> 00:15:59.610 was, to be quite honest. I downsized my system, 00:15:59.730 --> 00:16:02.230 you know, and I got the receipts to show how 00:16:02.230 --> 00:16:06.529 well it performs. So, you know, it's paramount 00:16:06.529 --> 00:16:08.929 that we size equipment correctly if we want comfort. 00:16:09.309 --> 00:16:11.769 I did a post not too long ago. I was like, in 00:16:11.769 --> 00:16:13.490 what other world can you say that you're going 00:16:13.490 --> 00:16:15.889 to deliver 10 widgets and not even count how 00:16:15.889 --> 00:16:17.730 many widgets you gave? them. Right. And you're 00:16:17.730 --> 00:16:19.190 like, well, here's a box of widgets. You know, 00:16:19.190 --> 00:16:20.830 I promised you 10, but however many is in a box 00:16:20.830 --> 00:16:22.190 is how many you're getting. Here's your box. 00:16:22.330 --> 00:16:24.509 Yeah. And so that takes me to the fact that not 00:16:24.509 --> 00:16:26.850 only do a low calculation, but also follow manual 00:16:26.850 --> 00:16:30.690 S sizing practices. Nice. Manual D of duct is 00:16:30.690 --> 00:16:34.450 also a part of it. We heavily, we heavily suggest 00:16:34.450 --> 00:16:36.470 doing the static pressure test. If it's a, if 00:16:36.470 --> 00:16:38.649 it's a replacement system, measure the static, 00:16:38.690 --> 00:16:40.490 if that blower works in that existing system, 00:16:40.549 --> 00:16:42.029 we'll see what kind of duct work you got before 00:16:42.029 --> 00:16:44.360 you do it. We're also going to be offering resources 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:47.080 to the people in our network, some training resources, 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:50.120 things like that. So following the manual J, 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:53.139 S, and D, and then also that there's going to 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:55.279 be a proper commissioning of the system, including 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:59.299 proper documentation. And we also have some resources 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:03.039 that we show what it is that we require as far 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:05.119 as documentation, because if we get all the right 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:07.440 readings, then we can calculate capacity. If 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.059 you're saying that system is going to meet X 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:11.019 amount of BTUs, then why aren't we measuring 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:13.140 it to make sure we deliver it? amount of vtus 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:15.000 or we're meeting x amount of efficiency right 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:17.579 it's all math and we get the right readings you 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:20.460 can you know easily calculate that stuff obviously 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:22.599 there's software out there such as measure quick 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:26.420 that also does that we uh myself and my uh my 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:29.759 cohort Darren, we're both actually certified 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:32.259 measure quick trainers. And so we're going to 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:34.440 be offering some, some of those kinds of resources 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:37.400 also to people in our network. So by then looking 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:40.019 at, you know, and then the final part is that, 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:42.059 you know, we're going to also have a feedback 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:44.980 tool. So anybody that chooses a contractor from 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:47.339 our network. and then they're able to come in 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.480 and give us a response back to how that went 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:53.000 so reviews as well as if there's an issue we 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.480 will follow up with that contractor now we know 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.339 there's always two sides of every coin so we're 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.720 going to listen to what's going on we're going 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.759 to get with the contractor try to get the situation 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:04.119 resolved number one secondly then go back and 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:05.960 look how did it happen kind of do a more of a 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:09.160 deep dive root analysis because we want anybody 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:12.279 that's chosen from our website to know that we 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:15.299 at least did our due diligence to say these are 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:17.599 the requirements you know now you can't go out 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:20.160 to every job site with everybody but we can say 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:22.990 you know what here's the requirements to be part 00:18:22.990 --> 00:18:24.549 of our network and you're committing to that. 00:18:24.769 --> 00:18:26.710 And then if there is an issue, we're going to 00:18:26.710 --> 00:18:28.690 follow up. And if they, you know, if they're 00:18:28.690 --> 00:18:30.589 not complying, then we'll deal with it then. 00:18:30.750 --> 00:18:33.349 But so we're really excited about partnering 00:18:33.349 --> 00:18:35.809 with Bill and Kevin at Better HVAC because those 00:18:35.809 --> 00:18:37.589 are great. They want the same things we want 00:18:37.589 --> 00:18:41.069 as well. And so being able to partner with them 00:18:41.069 --> 00:18:44.930 and be able to link together to try to achieve 00:18:44.930 --> 00:18:46.869 this is going to be really cool. So what will 00:18:46.869 --> 00:18:48.730 happen though on Better HVAC is you'll see a 00:18:48.730 --> 00:18:51.470 little rewire badge. And so. working on some 00:18:51.470 --> 00:18:53.670 additional badges that uh that people can earn 00:18:53.670 --> 00:18:56.829 uh as well so uh you know if they're a part of 00:18:56.829 --> 00:18:58.650 maybe like aka or something like that they'll 00:18:58.650 --> 00:19:01.869 be able to note those things as well and so when 00:19:01.869 --> 00:19:03.730 and we'll be pulling that information in so when 00:19:03.730 --> 00:19:05.529 somebody goes to our contractor network and they 00:19:05.529 --> 00:19:07.750 see okay well the only people showing up are 00:19:07.750 --> 00:19:09.950 people that have the rewire badge but oh look 00:19:09.950 --> 00:19:12.390 at this these folks they're also belong to this 00:19:12.390 --> 00:19:14.970 organization this organization this they do aka 00:19:14.970 --> 00:19:17.490 quality uh qi right or whatever the case may 00:19:17.490 --> 00:19:20.980 be uh and so we want to be able to showcase those 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:23.799 things and so people can make a good honest decision 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:27.180 on who they want to use and try to get the best 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:30.140 folks that we can. um and so that's what we call 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:32.079 it kind of our tier one level our associated 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:34.160 contractor level now we do have some projects 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:37.420 that we're working on uh specific projects where 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:40.099 we partner with oems and those contractors have 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.819 to go through an even more stringent process 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:44.859 uh and so but the idea is is that when we get 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:47.119 to the next city like so right now let's say 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:49.099 that we got one going in rhode island uh but 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.619 let's say that we come to your town wherever 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:52.920 that is right you're in midwest somewhere right 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:55.740 yeah just outside of indianapolis yeah so let's 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.700 say we come to your your area and we're going 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:01.640 to do a project there um then we would also we 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:03.420 would the whole idea of building this network 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:05.759 out is not only will people be looking this network 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:08.599 but when we do come to an area then we have people 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:10.599 to draw from and say hey do you want to go to 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:13.779 this next level and do these projects with us 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:16.240 but in that level we get a look copy of that 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:18.140 load calculation we get a copy of that contract 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:20.160 to see what the sizing was so that we could check 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:22.400 against it we made some tools to easily do that 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:25.579 and then we get a copy of the actual commissioning 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:28.640 report so that we we have record that we can 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:31.180 check those things just you know uh one to make 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:34.000 sure that we deliver uh clifton is the biggest 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.680 thing and i think that you and i both know in 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.539 our industry there's been issues with people 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:39.779 not delivering and the homeowners suffer for 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.559 it and that's what really bothers me the most 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:44.819 i can fix my equipment you can fix yours But 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.579 these homeowners out here, they're kind of at 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:49.859 the mercy of whoever they get. And so our contractor 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:52.079 network is all about making sure we deliver quality 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:56.019 with integrity and that they get what they paid 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:58.799 for. Because if we help, especially low income 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:00.799 housing, we help them get a high efficiency heat 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.599 pump that they're looking to save on energy, 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:05.700 but then it's installed incorrectly. They don't 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:09.519 see the savings. They put the money out. We got 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:12.619 to do better. And so we not only are building 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:14.359 the network, but we're also building some educational 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:16.660 resources, some things that we're going to help 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:19.640 our contractors with to also help hone their 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:23.099 skills and bring some real value to them about 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:25.099 being part of our network. Sorry I got a little 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:27.420 long -winded on that. I've been spending so much 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:29.759 time on this. I love it. This is my thing. Yes. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.940 yeah yeah no i absolutely love following all 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:35.980 of your analytics i watch everything you do in 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:38.759 social media and i just i'm grateful that we're 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:41.519 moving as an industry we're going to see a lot 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:44.920 more of you know these quality installations 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:48.200 going forward i've been for a few months advising 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:51.940 on a new protocol that utilities are wanting 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:55.000 to implement to validate that a system was installed 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.519 properly if it's going to get its uh you know 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.779 badge of approval for our energy efficient system 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.180 what is that And you're right, it comes down 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:03.299 to commissioning. So we're actually looking and 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:05.559 I'm working with manufacturers on a connected 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:08.980 commissioning protocol that would help in assisting 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.960 in that generating that commissioning report 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:13.500 to be able to say, okay, it's supposed to perform 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:17.180 at this. And after it was installed, it actually 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:20.299 performs at this. And if it meets expectations 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.240 of the utility, you qualify for your rebates. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:24.609 If not. somebody better go back and fix things 00:22:24.609 --> 00:22:27.269 properly. And we're going to need that as we 00:22:27.269 --> 00:22:29.089 start working with, you know, more advanced, 00:22:29.269 --> 00:22:31.509 higher efficiency pieces of equipment. So I truly 00:22:31.509 --> 00:22:34.369 commend what Rewiring America is doing in the 00:22:34.369 --> 00:22:36.980 industry right now. We appreciate that. I got 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:39.140 to tell you that I took your course, by the way, 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:41.299 the Energy Skilled. Did I get that correctly 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:43.519 in the name? I always get the name. I get the 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:45.339 name wrong. I wanted to go through it myself 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:49.000 first. And of course, I ended up also purchasing 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:51.319 the curriculum so that we could deliver it. And 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.759 one of the things that we're actually offering 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:55.980 our contractors is folks that want to, especially 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:58.640 the ones doing our specific projects, if they 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:00.900 want to be Energy Skilled certified, that we 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:04.980 will actually provide that for them. We'll provide 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:07.480 the training and do the testing, which will obviously 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:10.799 be through you guys using the online testing. 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:14.259 And so we're really excited about that. First 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:16.000 off, I love how it was done. You did a great 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.759 job not saying that because we're together on 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:20.779 video, but it was done really well. It was needed. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:23.799 I've even seen a lack on the OEM side, not really 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:26.380 explaining inverters very well. They don't understand 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:28.880 what PWM is. They don't understand what IGBTs 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:31.160 are. And we need to understand these things if 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:33.279 we're going to be installing and working on it. 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:35.940 So we're promoting that within our organization 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:38.079 to our contractors that, hey, if you want to 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:40.259 get this, if you want to get this badge, this 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.880 energy skill badge, it's great material. You 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.759 would benefit greatly from it. Not to mention 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:47.160 you get the badge. Yes. And part of the Google 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:49.880 search engine, which is a big benefit. And so 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:52.920 we're starting to see that developing even stronger 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:55.960 right now where, you know, once you gain that 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:58.680 energy skilled recognition, you actually get 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:02.420 put into a premium SEO search through not just 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.920 the Google. but through other search engines 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:07.099 so it's a big benefit for a contractor and there's 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:10.640 a variety of products so the department of energy 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:13.079 is moving into other product categories that 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:15.299 will have energy skilled recognition heat pump 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:19.140 water heaters there will also be energy auditing 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:22.240 there is going to be inverter driven rooftop 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:24.680 package units for residential light commercial 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:26.559 so there's a lot of cool things coming down the 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:28.039 pipeline through that energy skilled program 00:24:28.829 --> 00:24:31.430 Yeah, that's exciting. That's exciting news. 00:24:31.589 --> 00:24:34.410 We're really all about making sure that it's 00:24:34.410 --> 00:24:36.549 done correctly and making sure people just are 00:24:36.549 --> 00:24:39.509 properly trained. There's obviously a lack of 00:24:39.509 --> 00:24:41.170 that. There's a lot of great trainers out there. 00:24:41.230 --> 00:24:44.769 You and I both know many of them, but there's 00:24:44.769 --> 00:24:46.950 just still so much that needs to be done. And 00:24:46.950 --> 00:24:50.089 so we want to try to ratchet that level up a 00:24:50.089 --> 00:24:53.200 little bit. I agree. Well, thank you so much, 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:55.440 Rewiring America, for pushing our industry forward. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:58.980 How can we learn more about the contractor database 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:02.079 and about all of the resources that you are doing 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:06.440 right now? Yeah, quickest place right now, rewiringamerica 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:10.210 .org backslash save. And so that is. all about 00:25:10.210 --> 00:25:12.390 what's happening right now with the closing window 00:25:12.390 --> 00:25:15.109 on the federal incentives but that gets you to 00:25:15.109 --> 00:25:17.970 the the contractor uh network page as it is now 00:25:17.970 --> 00:25:20.349 but as huff said we're going to be making that 00:25:20.349 --> 00:25:22.230 bigger announcement here in just a couple weeks 00:25:22.230 --> 00:25:25.650 um and then on that same page we've got you know 00:25:25.650 --> 00:25:28.589 especially for uh you know homeowners these drop 00:25:28.589 --> 00:25:32.240 -in sessions where they can get real expert on 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.980 the projects that they're considering and hopefully 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:37.779 to encourage them to, you know, act with confidence 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:41.180 and act quickly here in this moment. So rewiringamerica 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:43.460 .org backslash save is the best place to go. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.720 All right, gentlemen, thank you so much for your 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.880 time and encourage everyone to go learn more 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:50.079 about what's happening at Rewiring America.