Efficiency Delivered^®

• Must have an active OUC account.
• OUC account must be in good standing.
• The property where the measures will be performed must have at least six (6) months of continuous usage history.
• The property must be a single-family home, townhome or condominium.
• Participants must complete a free conservation audit.
• To be eligible for an energy improvement, the property must be located within OUC’s electric service territory and the customer must receive service from OUC.
• To be eligible for a water improvement, the property must be located within OUC’s water service territory and the customer must receive service from OUC.
• Customers can potentially participate multiple times until they have reached the maximum cost of improvements made through the program. Currently, that amount is $2,500.

Both homeowners and renters can participate in the program. Renters can participate if the property owner provides authorization for the work by signing the landlord section of the estimate provided by Ferran Services.

How long will the entire process take?
The time it takes to schedule an audit and complete the upgrades may vary based on availability, time of year and the scope of the work. Below is an estimate of what you can expect.

• Audits are scheduled one to six weeks after a request is made. During our peak season (June through October), we may be booked with appointments for up to six weeks.
• The audit, performed by an OUC conservation specialist, is completed in one day.
• Your application is sent to our preferred contractor within one week of when we receive income verification documents or within one week of the audit.
• The contractor will schedule an appointment based on their availability, which can be up to 4 weeks.
• Home improvements are typically completed within one to two days.
• Your portion of the cost will be added to your utility bill(s) approximately six to eight weeks after the improvements are made.

How do I prepare for the audit?
To provide you with the best service, we ask that you have at least six months of consumption history at your property before requesting an audit. For more details on what to expect from an audit, including days/times available, who needs to be present and more, please visit our dedicated Energy & Water Conservation Audit page.

Who will be performing the work, and do they offer a warranty?
Our preferred contractor, Ferran Services, has partnered with us since the program began in 2012. Ferran offers a warranty of 12 months on all work performed along with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty for window film.

Will I receive a copy of the audit?
The OUC conservation specialist will provide you with an audit report within 48 hours after their visit. This report is normally sent via email.

Do I have choices in which improvements can be made to my home?
During the conservation audit, OUC’s conservation specialist will recommend improvements based on your needs, and which improvements are available based on the services we provide. The specialist will send you a copy of the audit report. You can choose any of the improvements recommended by our conservation specialist.

After the conservation specialist completes the audit, our preferred contractor, Ferran Services, will perform a visit and provide an estimate for the work. Some items, such as thermostats, toilets, and window film offer multiple options to choose from which will be presented by Ferran Services during your estimate appointment. We will send our recommendations to Ferran Services, and they must check with us before offering any additional improvements.

Can I use the program contractor to do other work outside of this program at the same time?
Yes, many customers obtain quotes from Ferran Services for additional work not covered by this program. In some cases when the work performed exceeds $2,500, any amount above $2,500 can be paid directly to Ferran.

How can I compare my consumption before/after work to see the savings?
One of the easiest ways to compare your consumption is to review the consumption charts and average daily usage sections on your bill. You can also contact customer service to request your billing history for comparison. In a study of over 100 participants, the average customer saved 100 kWh of energy (9%) and over 200 gallons per month.*

*The dollar amount of savings is based on current rates as of 2024.

If I own multiple properties within OUC’s territory, can I make improvements at each?
Yes, you are eligible for up to $2,500 in approved improvements at each property you own within our service territory. We also offer rebates for installing qualifying heat pump A/C systems and water heaters, along with many other energy and water rebates. For more information visit ouc.com/rebates.

How much do I owe and how will I know?
After an OUC conservation specialist completes your energy or water audit, Ferran Services will visit your home and provide you with a signed estimate and agreement for the work. Customers are encouraged to scan or take a photo of the estimate/agreement for documentation purposes.

Your portion of the total cost depends on your household income level* and the number of upgrades desired. Below you can see examples of the average cost for participants since 2022.

Tier 1

• Total improvements cost an average of $1,837.41
• Customer responsibility was $275.62 or 24 installment payments of $11.49 per month

Tier 2

• Total improvements cost an average of $1,421.54
• Customer responsibility was $710.77 or 24 installment payments of $29.62 per month (qualifying customers only)

Tier 3

• Total improvements cost an average of $1,300.63
• Customer responsibility was $1,300.63 minus the average rebate(s) of $251.45 for a total of $1,049.18 or 24 installment payments of $43.72 per month (qualifying customers only)

The only fees associated with the program are those costs incurred for upgrades to the property and typical payment processing fees, if applicable. OUC does not charge interest on payment installments or any additional fees upon program completion.

*Please see our contribution levels and income qualifications chart to find out what percentage of the total cost OUC will cover.

What are my payment options, and what percentage of the cost will OUC cover?
All customers with a household income of less than $40,000 a year qualify for interest-free installment payments for their portion of the work. Customers can also choose to have all charges billed as a lump sum on their upcoming bill.

For customers with a household income above $40,000 a year, the OUC internal credit rating based on your payment history, must be 80 or higher to qualify for installment payments. If the score is below 80, the total charges will be billed as a lump sum on the upcoming bill.

See the chart below for contribution levels and income qualifications. Your portion of the cost will be added to your utility bill(s) approximately six to eight weeks after the improvements are completed.

What income documents do I need to provide, and will my information be protected?|
For households with a total income of less than $60,000 a year, you will need to provide any combination of the following documents for all household members: a copy of your most recent tax return, the current month’s paystubs, an SSI award letter or other relevant documents. We recommend that you cover or remove any personal information on the documents that you do not wish to share. All documents remain with OUC and are not shared with our contractor.

Does OUC need to pull my credit?
No, a credit check is not required to participate. We review your internal OUC credit rating, which is based on your payment history, to determine if you qualify for interest-free installment payments for your portion of the work.

Will a lien be placed on my home?
No lien will be placed on your home as part of this program. The balance you owe for the work will be applied to your final bill if you stop service before the interest-free installments or lump sum balance has been paid off.