ATLANTA, Jan. 4, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Providing customers financing can help utilities achieve core business-related goals -- such as energy efficiency or increased meter spin -- and bolster their products and services menu. In addition, financing options help utilities extend their brand names, build contractor/trade ally networks and ultimately close more sales. However, utilities should not look to financing programs as potential profit centers, according to Chartwell's latest report, "Utility Financing Programs: Providing Financing for Energy Efficiency and Other Products."
According to data collected in a Chartwell survey of 99 energy providers and revealed in the new report, 35% of utilities offer residential customers financing on various energy efficiency improvement expenditures. In addition, 28% of utilities offer financing for C&I products or large-scale projects. Financing in conjunction with energy efficiency programs is growing among utilities, the report reveals.
The 30-page report includes three in-depth case studies on successful utility financing programs. It also contains analysis of the topic, including the pros and cons of offering financing, tips for marketing financing programs, ideas for where utilities can turn for financial backing, and Chartwell survey data broken down by utility type and size.
"Utility Financing Programs: Providing Financing for Energy Efficiency and Other Products," which is available from Chartwell for $395, is part of The Chartwell Utility Marketing Research Series, which focuses on products, services, and customer relations issues such as marketing, promotions and public communications.
The Research Series is a 12-month membership that includes:
-- A data summary and report and accompanying database based
on the 125-question utility survey conducted annually.
-- Regular in-depth reports and case studies, released
approximately every six weeks, cover a specific
product/service -- including green power, broadband over
power lines (BPL), energy management tools and services,
load management, onsite power/distributed generation and
others -- or marketing-related issue, such as market
research, advertising and promotions, or community and
public relations. These reports include more in-depth data
analysis and Chartwell reporting, and case studies that
provide lengthy detail on utilities' successes and/or
failures. Monthly topics are chosen with input from
Series Members.
-- Profiles of vendors poised to help utilities in this
arena.
-- One-on-one consultation with Chartwell research staff
on topics covered.
-- Full members have constant access to past years' databases,
each of which includes hundreds of data points, from
how much individual utilities charge for green power to
the types of power quality services offered to C&I
customers.
For information on membership in The Chartwell Utility Marketing Research Series or the individual report, "Utility Financing Programs: Providing Financing for Energy Efficiency and Other Products," contact Bill Grist at (800)432-5879, (404)237-9099 or bgrist@chartwellinc.com; or visit www.chartwellinc.com or Chartwell's Energy Library at www.energylibrary.com.