New York-based Threshold Group and the Energy Federation (EFI) are helping utilities and energy providers with low-cost, professional installation of smart thermostats and other IoT devices.

Using the EFI energy marketplace and Threshold’s nationwide network of trained technicians, utilities and energy providers can incentivise customers to choose energy-efficient products such as smart thermostats and ensure they get installed quickly and professionally.

A component of this programme is its ability to support demand response programmes. When it is critical to get a device operational as soon as possible, EFI and Threshold can provide a seamless ordering, scheduling and installation process. Threshold technicians also focus on customer service and education to ensure consumers become comfortable with the features of the thermostat or other smart device as well as the benefits of a demand response or time-of-use programme.

EFI recently conducted a survey that indicated one of the main reasons users hesitate to purchase a smart home or thermostat product is because of concerns regarding installation. Although smart thermostats are discounted by EFI and are often instantly rebated by the utility or energy provider, the cost of installation discourages users from the purchase of these products. Or even worse, the user acquires the thermostat and never installs it.

With this partnership, EFI and Threshold can work with its partners to earmark existing budget, rebates and incentives to provide a value proposition that motivates users to purchase a smart thermostat or other device while mitigating the installation concern with a free or significantly reduced professional installation.

“It is a pleasure to announce that EFI and the Threshold Group are producing advanced solutions for energy portfolios across the USA,” said Paul Danehy, CEO of EFI. “The implementation of no or low-cost professional installations resolves the customers’ concerns of budget, and the utility or energy provider’s need to track programme success. We and our partner look to revolutionise the marketplace shopping experience.”

This is part of a suite of offerings designed to provide consumers with added value and the ability to manage their energy usage. The energy marketplace creates an all-in-one offering to provide a seamless shopping experience with white-glove customer service and robust product fulfilment and delivery options.

“Threshold Group is excited to work with EFI on this initiative,” said Threshold president Steve Nolfi. “Utilising budgeted incentives and rebates to provide low cost or free professional installation of smart thermostats and other smart home devices has proven to be the inertia needed to move more consumers to adopt these energy efficient products and programmes.”

Threshold Group is a subsidiary of RCH, a field services organisation established in 1977 to support the telecoms industry. As part of a move to diversify its services, Threshold was created in 2011 to support additional sectors including energy, non-profit and home services. It supports multiple utilities, retail energy providers and implementers in the energy sector, providing marketing, outreach and installation services for energy efficiency and energy management programmes.