This 3,000 member cooperative does not offer rebates for installing an air source or geothermal heat pump, but it has an active contractor referral program. The cooperative surveys every member who applies for its electric heat rate incentive to learn where they heard about the program, and then refers those HVAC contractors who most often promote the utility’s programs. The contractor referral program design is deceptively simple but keeps contractors intimately aligned with the cooperative’s energy efficiency and marketing goals.

Discover what goes into establishing and maintaining a network of contractors to refer to home owners for “whole house” energy efficiency improvements. This state energy office-funded program does not offer homeowner or contractor incentives itself, but the program leverages utility-sponsored rebates for comprehensive home energy analyses and contractor-sponsored Wyoming GeoSmart financing interest rate buydowns.

Southwest Gas, a private utility serving parts of Nevada, Arizona and California, has over 600 appliance dealers, plumbing and HVAC contractors actively participating in its referral program which started in 1986. Learn how the utility promotes special offers and rebate programs through this free referral service to the customer and contractor.

Learn how this Colorado municipal power wholesaler grew its commercial lighting rebate program serving the communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Loveland. It promotes an unbiased “Lighting Contractor & Vendor list that includes only those companies that know how to facilitate its rebate program and provide lighting upgrades. Just like EBay or Angie’s List, the program publishes online customer satisfaction ratings of participating contractors.