ARCA Program Planning
ARCA is the nation's leader in providing the utility industry with appliance management services for residential and small commercial customers. A pioneer in the development of appliance turn-in programs, ARCA has served more than 50 electric utilities throughout the United States and Canada. The following information includes key factors to consider when beginning to plan for an appliance management program.
What Are the Types of Programs?
- Turn-in programs remove and recycle old, inefficient refrigerators and/or freezers. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are sometimes included in these programs.
- Replacement, or change-out, services provide for the simultaneous removal and recycling of old, inefficient appliances with the delivery and installation of new, energy-efficient models.
- Early-retirement programs encourage the replacement of primary, inefficient appliances with new super-efficient models and the destruction of the old inefficient appliances they replace.
Whether a utility's goal is to remove energy-inefficient refrigerators and freezers from operation, or to replace residential washing machines with the latest high-efficiency models, ARCA can tailor a program to meet any utility's specifications.
Utility Considerations
- Regulatory approval
- Management support
- Residential customer base (average 2% harvest)
- Service territory
- Budget
Appliance Considerations
- Types: Household refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners
- Status: Operational and cooling
- Size: 10-27 cu. ft. (refrigerators and freezers)
- Quantity: Multiple units (average 1.2 units per pickup)
Incentive Considerations
- Motivation
- Increase participation levels
- Encourage customers to be at home for scheduled appointments
- Determining most cost-effective dollar value for incentive (typically $35 to $50)
|
 The best new power plant is the one
you don’t have to build
|
Program Timing Considerations
- Spring or early summer launch
- Seasonal or short-term programs for low volumes or poor winter driving conditions
- Seasonality: Expect lower customer participation from October through March, regardless of climate
|
Contractor Selection Considerations
- Experience
- Infrastructure
- Financial backing
- History of regulatory compliance
|
 |
|
