SJE Rental Program Design Study

Saint John Energy (SJE), in partnership with the City of Saint John, will conduct a design study to expand its Consumer Products Rental Program. Under this program, utility customers can rent or finance energy-efficiency products. SJE takes responsibility for installation, maintenance and warranty of the products, and customers pay a monthly tariff on their electricity bills. The program currently offers mini-split heat pumps, hot-water heaters, and high-efficiency area streetlights to residential buildings (including multi-unit buildings) and most commercial buildings. The design study will seek to optimize the program’s structure and expand its eligible measures to include smart appliances, home energy-efficiency products, electric vehicle infrastructure and clean energy generation. The study will include a detailed program review, evaluation of new products offered, stakeholder and marketing strategies, rate and financing design, and a final implementation plan. The program is linked to the City of Saint John Community GHG & Energy Action Plan, for which SJE is a listed contributor, given its various initiatives related to renewable energy, peak energy management and energy efficiency. This study is also linked to GMF 17590, an accompanying evaluation study for the existing rental program that will inform the subsequent design developed through this initiative. Innovative aspect(s): • The existing program is considered highly innovative as the only residential retrofit financing program in New Brunswick • Innovative features of this design study include the support of measures such as community solar and virtual metering, as well as the program’s greatly expanded product offerings Replicability: The study has the potential for replication by municipalities and utilities across Canada, as demonstrated by the public–private partnership between SJE and the City of Saint John, which serves as an excellent example for others wishing to collaborate on energy-efficiency programs. (Project description from original funding application)