After meeting with utility officials, industry advocates hope to reverse a rebate change that prevents service firms from participating.
Southern California Edison made the change this year, saying a pool/spa company must have at least one retail location to offer rebates. This eliminated pool/spa service and construction companies from the equation.
After reaching out to SCE, the associations were able to arrange a meeting in early March. “The meeting went really well,” said IPSSA Government Relations Chair Terry Snow. “There are no promises yet, but we had the opportunity to help Edison understand the swimming pool industry.”
Certain manufacturers and distributors attended and were able to explain the key role service firms play in promoting the sale of variable-speed pumps, said Snow, also the owner of TLS Pool Service in Upland, Calif.
However, SCE did make clear that it would not be going back to the old methods, Snow added. The downstream system where consumers apply for rebates after the purchase will not be coming back, he said. Pump sellers will not receive a rebate, only the purchaser will, he added. Finally, the field-verification program, whereby the utility would certify service technicians to install the pumps, has been permanently eliminated.
“Our main goal is to get the independent service company the ability to get on the rebate program,” Snow added.
The SCE representative who attended the meeting plans to consult with utility officials. While no commitments or timelines have been offered, industry advocates hope service firms are somehow integrated into the rebate program by the Western Pool & Spa Show later this month.
“I feel really good about … the dialog that we had,” Snow said. “We all spoke freely and honestly.”
