NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire has had a series of programs to assist the industry . These activities include a robust rebate program . Ensuring that tanks are safe and equipment is modern and efficient are the best benefits for oilheat consumers . Additionally , training of the industry is critical . New Hampshire efforts include training service professionals on how to maintain oilheat equipment . They also include training for drivers . Complying with federal training requirements is essential for public safety , and NORA training has been essential to those ends . New Hampshire also has provided information to consumers on the benefits of efficiency , oilheat and Bioheat as a future fuel .
NEW JERSEY
Continuing to raise the bar , the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey ( FMANJ ) expanded its NORA-funded programs and built on past successes . FMANJ expanded its outreach to the real estate community through the Partnership for Realty and Oilheat Success ( PRO $) program . This year ’ s program included the creation and approval of the first accredited training course for heating oil education for real estate professionals anywhere in the country .
FMANJ continued to expand its social media outreach with the execution of the Love My Oilheat New Jersey Facebook campaign . This effort now boasts more than 20,000 followers .
Additionally , heating oil dealers were provided with two issues of the Efficiency Matters in New Jersey newsletters for distribution to their customers . These customer communications helped dealers promote energy efficiency , the advent of Bioheat and Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil and other important topics .
A new equipment rebate program was launched as well , with an eye towards simplifying the process and increasing customer engagement . The early results have been extremely positive , as heating oil customers have secured twice as many rebates in the program ’ s first six months as they did in all of last year .
FMANJ offered Upgrade & Save New Jersey rebates in 2016 and 2017 . The program offered rebates of up to $ 700 per home : $ 300 for efficiency upgrades of oilheat boilers , $ 250 for efficiency upgrades of oilheat furnaces , and $ 700 for upgrades of integrated heat and hot water units . FMANJ had minimum AFUE requirements for rebate eligibility of 87 % for hydronic boilers , 82 % for steam boilers , and 85 % for furnaces . In 2016 FMANJ offered $ 900 for combination heat-hot water systems .
Through the Upgrade & Save New Jersey program , FMANJ remitted $ 83,350 to 172 homeowners . That represents 46 boilers , 47 furnaces and 79 integrated heat and hot water systems . The rebate program successfully reduced fuel consumption : on average , boiler efficiency increased from an AFUE of 78.77 % to 86.85 %, furnaces from 75 % to 85.56 % integrated systems from 79.45 % to 87.16 % AFUE and steam boilers from 80.5 % to 85.33 %. These changes represent a reduction of approximately 13,773 gallons of heating oil per year .
NEW YORK
As part of its requirements under the Association charter and the
NORA authorization Act , Empire State
Energy Association ( ESEA ) provides consumer information on oilheat and Bioheat fuel on its website at eseany . org . In 2017 this website was re-developed and is now device-responsive for mobile and desktop accessibility . The content and design were also revised to include extended information for consumers on oilheat and Bioheat fuel benefits , upgrades , environmental benefits and dealer service as well as assistance programs and the Upgrade & Save NY rebates from Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council and Upstate New York Energy Association .
It also features public information on NORA training programs and content for real estate professionals . In 2017 , ESEA coordinated the joint efforts of Upstate New York Energy Association ( UNYEA ) and Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council ( HVOEC ) to develop the OilheatNY . com energy efficiency , education , training , and outreach program . This multi-dimensional consumer program promoting energy efficiency , equipment upgrades and Upgrade & Save rebates included a new consumer website , and a brand-new multi-media communications campaign that directed consumers to “ upgrade your lifestyle ” and reminded them that “ the answer is oilheat ” to their heating and environmental concerns . These messages were disseminated via radio advertising , digital display and search engine marketing , realty professional outreach , an ongoing web presence optimization campaign including monthly blogs and social media updates , dealer training , consumer newsletters , insert slips andbill inserts , and prewritten content for dealers to use as needed . l FON
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22 APRIL 2019 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com