Pilots

HPWH Load Shifting Pilot

Pilot Purpose:

Contractors who install Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) are key actors who can:

  • Facilitate grid connection for the new appliance at the time of installation
  • Influence whether the new appliance is set up to shift demand to times of day that maximize benefits to the electric grid and are cheaper for the customer to operate

Therefore, the primary purpose of this pilot is to empower contractors with the information and motivation to enable HPWHs to shift load at the time of installation and to understand which contractor engagement tactics are most effective.

What is the bonus incentive?

The $50 bonus incentive is available to qualifying TECH Clean California* (and BayREN Midream**) contractors who help their HPWH customers enroll in a Load Shifting or Demand Response (DR) program at the time of HWPH installation. These programs increase the value that customers get from their HPWH by increasing potentially electricity bill savings, and many of them actually pay customers to sign up.

Eligible Load Shifting / DR Programs:

How contractors can capture the bonus incentive:

The TECH Clean California HPWH incentive application form will include fields (see below) for contractors to indicate that they have initiated their HPWH customer's enrollment in a load shifting or DR program during the time of HPWH installation.

  1. If not already enrolled in TECH Clean California, contractors can complete the enrollment form. Additional enrollment instructions can be found in the Knowledge Base.
  2. At the time of HPWH installation, follow steps (found under the links to "Eligible Load Shifting / DR Programs" to help the customer connect their connected HPWH to a Load Shifting or DR program during the time of installation.
  3. Complete the incentive application fields to indicate involvement in customer enrollment:
    1. Did you enroll the customer in a Demand Response (DR) or Load Shifting program? See drop down for program options: Yes
    2. If so, which?: Select program option from the drop down menu to the incentive application question.

Load shifting HPWH training:

Contractors who enroll in TECH Clean California are required to watch the Load Shifting HPWH training as part of onboarding hosted by the TECH Electrification Knowledge Hub. Contractors interested in viewing the training without enrolling can create an account with the Knowledge Hub and use the search bar to find and watch the "TECH HPWH Load Shifting Training."

* TECH Clean California contractors in SoCalGas territory can still access HPWH incentive funds.

**BayREN Midstream contractors follow their own enrollment process but utilize the same HPWH incentive application as TECH Clean California contractors. This means BayREN Midstream contractors can indicate they have initiated customer enrollment in a Load Shifting or DR program and qualify to receive the $50 bonus.

Thermostatic Mixing Valve Training Video

Use of TMV’s guarantees consistent hot water temperatures and allows for higher tank heat settings. Higher heat settings kill bacteria, which is important in some residential and many commercial settings. Higher heat and using a TMV also increases the hot water capacity of the tank and helps customers participate in electricity demand reduction programs – saving them money. TMV’s are code in many jurisdictions and a program requirement for California’s heat pump water heater programs.

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