California public power utility Glendale Water & Power has launched an online marketplace that offers energy and water efficient products at discounted prices.
Through the marketplace, GWP offers its customers one-stop shopping from home, according to Atineh Haroutunian, the public power utility’s marketing manager.
GWP provides promotions and discounts, along with free shipping, for products from the marketplace.
The utility serving Glendale, California, for example, is currently offering major discounts on LED bulbs. GWP customers can buy a Philips 9-watt LED that typically sells for $4.98 for 98 cents. Or they can buy a Nest Learning thermostat for $149, down from $249.
Other products for sale on the marketplace include advanced power strips, energy monitors, shower heads and more.
GWP, which has about 88,850 electric customers and 34,100 water customers, started its online market place in late February. Since then, the marketplace has received more than 1,000 visits and about 30 thermostats and 100 LEDs have been sold, according to Haroutunian. The top product for sales is the 9-W LED bulb, she said.
The marketplace is managed by Energy Federation Inc., a non-profit organization focused on promoting energy efficient products. The Southern California Public Power Authority has a contract with the Southborough, Massachusetts-based organization, which provides its services to SCPPA’s 12 utility members, including GWP.
EFI's utility-sponsored ecommerce programs are available to 27 million gas and electric utility customers in 26 states.
Other public power utilities in California have set up similar online marketplaces.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 2017 teamed up with Simple Energy to provide efficiency products to its ratepayers.
Simple Energy and SMUD launched an online marketplace dedicated to providing SMUD customers with energy-saving products at affordable prices.
Like GWP, SMUD offers its customers efficiency products ranging from smart thermostats to light bulbs. SMUD customers can also find information on efficiency tips and installation guides.
Utility-branded marketplaces can increase customer satisfaction, boost participation in utility efficiency programs and bolster energy savings, according to Simple Energy, based in Boulder, Colorado.
