Efficiency Delivered^®

• Must have an active OUC account in good standing.
• Must complete a free home energy and/or water conservation audit.
• The property must have at least six (6) months of continuous usage history.
• The property must be a single-family home, townhome, condominium, apartment, duplex, triplex or quadplex.
• Renters must submit lease documentation and have the property owner provide authorization for the work by signing the landlord section of the estimate provided by Ferran Services.
• Customers can potentially participate in the program multiple times until they have reached the maximum cost of improvements made through the program. Up to $2,500 in improvements is available for each uniquely billed premise.
• 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.

How long will the entire process take?

The time it takes to schedule a home conservation audit and complete the improvements 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. Renters must submit lease documentation as part of the application. If this documentation is not received, the application may be delayed.  
• The contractor will schedule an appointment based on their availability, which can be up to 4 weeks. Renters must have the property owner sign the landlord section of the Efficiency Delivered Agreement before scheduling the work.
• 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 conservation 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 Conservation Audit page.

Will I receive a copy of the conservation 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?

OUC’s conservation specialist will recommend improvements based on your needs and the services we provide. The specialist will send you a copy of the audit report, which includes these recommendations. You can choose any of the improvements recommended.

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.

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.

What are the three program tiers?

Your share of the total cost for participation depends on your household income, the improvements you choose, and whether you are a homeowner or a renter. Participants will fall into one of three tiers:

Tier 1

• Homeowners with a household income of less than $40,000. Renters are not eligible.
• OUC pays 85% (up to $2,125) of up to $2,500 in eligible improvements. Participants pay the remaining 15%, up to $375.
• Participants qualify for interest-free installment payments on their OUC bill, which can be spread up to a 24-month period with a minimum $10 monthly installment payment.
• Participants can choose to have all charges billed as a lump sum on their upcoming bill.
• If the OUC account closes, the loan becomes due on the final bill.

Tier 2

• Homeowners with a household income between $40,001 – $59,999. Renters are not eligible.
• OUC pays 50% (up to $1,250) of up to $2,500 in eligible improvements. Participants pay the remaining 50%, up to $1,250.
• Participants may qualify for interest-free installment payments on their OUC bill, which can be spread up to a 24-month period with a minimum $10 monthly installment payment. Eligibility for installments is based on payment history.
• If installments are not available, the full portion will be added as a lump sum on the upcoming OUC bill.
• If the OUC account closes, the loan becomes due on the final bill.

Tier 3

• Homeowners with a household income greater than $60,000 and renters.
• OUC recommends improvements valued at up to $2,500, with instant rebates applied to chosen eligible improvements.
• Participants may qualify for interest-free installment payments on their OUC bill, which can be spread up to a 24-month period with a minimum $10 monthly installment payment. Eligibility for installments is based on payment history.
• For renters with leases shorter than 24 months, a custom installment period can be created based on lease verification. 
• If a renter’s utility account closes or the associated premise address changes, the loan becomes due on the final bill. The landlord will not be held responsible for payments.
• If installments are not available, the full portion will be added as a lump sum on the upcoming OUC bill.
• If the OUC account closes, the loan becomes due on the final bill.

How much do customers pay on average?

After an OUC conservation specialist completes your energy and/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. Below you can see examples of the average cost for participants since 2022:

Tier 1 Example

• Average total improvement cost: $1,837.41
• Average customer responsibility: $275.62 or 24 installment payments of $11.49 per month

Tier 2 Example

• Average total improvement cost: $1,421.54
• Average customer responsibility: $710.77 or 24 installment payments of $29.62 per month (qualifying customers only)

Tier 3 Example

• Average total improvement cost: $1,300.63
• Average customer responsibility: $1,300.63 minus the average rebate(s) amount 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 improvements 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.

What income documents do I need to provide, and will my information be protected?

To qualify for Tier 1 or Tier 2 benefits, 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 pay stubs, 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.

What if my lease ends in less than 24 months?

Renters are still eligible for the program. Based on the terms, payment plans will be established. For renters with leases shorter than 24 months who qualify for installment payments, a custom installment period can be created based on lease verification.

If a renter’s utility account closes or the associated premise address changes, the loan becomes due on the final bill.

If I rent my home, who pays for repairs?

Renters who apply and are approved remain wholly responsible for payments. OUC understands that if a renter doesn’t pay, it’s the renter, not the landlord, who is responsible for the bill.

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. They offer a warranty of 12 months on all work performed along with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty for window film. For questions regarding specific home improvement services, please reach out to Ferran Services, directly at (407) 504-3459 or [email protected].

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.