FEI-FEVI 2010 EEC Report filed March 31, 2011 - FortisBC

FORTISBC ENERGY INC. AND FORTISBC ENERGY (VANCOUVER ISLAND) INC.
2010 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION ANNUAL REPORT
o Contractors want to be ‘in the know’ about innovative technologies and
understand how they might need to prepare to embrace these technologies;
o Courses currently offered by colleges and associations are outdated;
o Contractors would like to work more closely with the Companies in order to
expedite requests for service connections; and
o One of the main benefits of supporting an expansion of the contractor program
was noted to be the contractor company listing on the Companies’ website.
Connecting customers with contractors who have been vetted through the
contractor program lends credibility to these companies, and is therefore seen as
a value-added benefit to the contractor.
• Three consultation workshops were conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Energy
and Mines, FortisBC Inc., and BC Hydro, and included the greater contractor and energy
audit communities in order gather insights and feedback to support program
development for the 2011 iteration of LiveSmart BC. These sessions, held in Burnaby
and Victoria, were conducted in the latter part of Q4. Below are some of the feedback
highlights:
o Need more focus on educating all stakeholders (i.e. homeowners, contractors,
and suppliers) on the house-as-a-system (“HAAS”) concept;
o Improved communication (and more lead-time) on timing of changes to, and
launches and closures of programs is required;
o Energy advisors must take the lead and identify specific needs as there is very
little contact, if any, between the contractor and the energy advisor. These two
groups need to establish a closer relationship;
o Contractors have more credibility in the eyes of homeowners than any other
party so the Companies need them to be onside;
o Manufacturers and distributors are key to communications with contractors; and
o Contractor training is needed for ventilation and HAAS.
• Established direct contact and continued to develop relationships with energy efficiency
equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and enhanced the Companies’ involvement
with contractor stakeholder groups such as associations and regulatory organizations.
The Companies currently sit on the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association
(“TECA”) Board (non-voting member); and
• In 2010, association publications, magazines, and other promotional opportunities like
web linking were identified in order to create an Efficiency Partners communication
strategy for 2011. Trade publications and magazines provide an excellent opportunity to
relay EEC initiatives and activities, including providing updates on activities related to the
contractor program.
SECTION 11: ENABLING ACTIVITIES Page 230