JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
SPOTLIGHT www.dakotasupplygroup.com
Energy Efficiency Fuels Demand Over the past 20 years or so, energy efficiency has become an important part of the consumer decision-making process. Saving money is still important, but so too is saving energy and even saving the environment. Today, energy efficiency is deeply embedded in our thinking, our buying habits and our way of life. It has become a feature we look for in the products and processes we use. Consumer demand isn’t the only driving force behind the growth of energy-efficient products, however. Federal regulations are mandating higher efficiency levels, making it unlawful to ignore energy-efficient trends. Some recent examples include the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the mandate for more efficient water heaters set into motion by the Department of Energy’s 2010 National Appliance Energy Conservation Act going into effect in 2015. Businesses are getting more on board with energy efficiency as well. As their customers (both individuals and businesses) demand accountability in regard to energy usage and energy costs, companies large and small are adopting higher standards for energy efficiency. Utility companies themselves now regularly offer incentives for businesses that conserve energy.
91%
of consumers say they’ve changed their behavior to conserve energy at home.
Nearly As Important As Price The bottom line is this: energy efficiency is in high demand now and will be even more so in the future. It is second only to price as the most important factor when buying an appliance or considering a home improvement project. The information in this month’s Spotlight was put together with a single purpose in mind: helping you identify more ways to satisfy your customers’ growing demand for energy-efficient products, ideas and partnerships. Rarely are we presented with an opportunity that benefits everyone involved, including the planet itself. There’s never been a better reason to make energy efficiency a priority for your business and your customers. Sources: Energy Star Anniversary Booklet, www. energystar.gov; Executive Perspectives: The Most Important Trends in Energy Efficiency, Greentechmedia.com; Giving US Energy Efficiency A Jolt, David Frankel and Humayun Tai, December 2013, www.mckinsey.com
Tom's Current
Paying For The Future With A Little Bit Of Change I’m no historian, but I do like a good quote now and then. Here is one from good old Winston Churchill that seems especially true today: “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Change can be scary, especially when it comes to business. It’s much easier to do our jobs if everybody maintains the status quo. We can easily predict events, and we can get ourselves ready for what is coming next. Unfortunately, the world very rarely plays along with this plan. This issue of Spotlight focuses on energy efficiency, one of the main agents of change for almost all of the industries we serve, from electricians to plumbers, from HVAC/R to utilities. Consumers want to save money, and more than ever they also want to save the world even if it’s only a little bit at a time. Anyone who thought the “green movement” was a fad needs to take a closer look. Green products didn’t go away. Just the opposite – many of them simply became mainstream, and now we take them for granted rather than identifying them with treehugging environmentalists. I remember when LED lighting was science fiction. Today it’s everywhere. Remember when water heaters were both slow and expensive to operate? Now there are new regulations that demand highly efficient models. Or how about just going tankless? That technology still amazes me.
We are at yet another crossroad, my friends. We can either grumble about how complicated our jobs have become, or we can embrace the magic that allows the new breed of thermostats to change a home’s temperature via cell phone. But be warned: the change will come with or without us. We will either become experts on the installation and service of these energy-efficient innovations, or we will slowly do less and less work as fewer and fewer of the “classics” remain in service. As always, the choice is ours. Thankfully, we don’t have to face it alone. Together we can do more than just embrace change – we can put it to work. DSG is here to help. We’ve got a lot of smart people who are constantly studying new ways to keep our customers on top of technology and in front of their competition. Churchill was right. Perfection isn’t about being right, it’s about adapting to change. Let’s prove it together.
JANUARY/FEBR UARY 2015 | SPOTLIGHT
POP QUIZ 1. The United States could prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (equivalent to that of 800,000 cars) if every house replaced just one of what item with an Energy Star® equivalent? 2. What is the most efficient appliance in a typical home? 3. New regulations on water heaters, calling for higher efficiency levels, go into effect in which month of 2015? 4. Over the last several years, the cost of LED bulbs has fallen by what percent? ANSWERS: 1. Light bulb
2. Microwave
Mitch McGaughey from Allied Bolt bagged this Pope
3. April 4. 90%
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MARKETING TOOL KIT
It's Time To Wake Up Your Business And Supercharge Your Profits With Training From DSG!
DSG’s upcoming P4 Learning Labs and Power Tools Success Workshops are designed to improve your profitability and energize your productivity. Led by some of the most respected small-business experts around, you can’t afford to miss these important training events.
Two Days That Will Change Everything
Long-term Results In A Short Period Of Time This one-day training session led by Ellen Rohr will power up your profits by addressing employee problems, growth issues and transition challenges. Plus, you can bring specific questions or challenges regarding your own business, and Ellen Rohr will (anonymously) address your unique business situation.
Through interactive presentations, hands-on workshops and lively discussions, the small business experts at Grandy & Associates will show you how to maximize your profits, improve your cash flow and much more. In fact, P4 is guaranteed to pay for itself (and more), or DSG will give you your money back!
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Register now at
www.dakotasupplygroup.com/power-tools February 2 – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin February 3 – Rochester, Minnesota February 4 – Sioux Falls, South Dakota February 5 – Fargo, North Dakota February 6 – Bismarck, North Dakota
www.dakotasupplygroup.com/p4 February 16-17 – Missoula, Montana February 19-20 – Billings, Montana March 2-3 – Fargo, North Dakota
JANUARY/FEBR UARY 2015 | SPOTLIGHT
FURNACE FRO C 9 P Y ™ Y IT IN F F A
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THE
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CUSTOMIZABLE COMFORT MAKES FOR HAPPIER CUSTOMERS Exclusive ClimaTrak™ technology can adapt to your region’s unique climate and conditions for improved comfort. COMPACT DESIGN EASES INSTALLATION This compact design has one of the smallest cabinets in the industry – just 33 inches high. When replacing older units, you’ll save time since it easily fits in the existing space. HIGH EFFICIENCY MAKES IT EASY TO SELL ENERGY STAR® qualifying efficiency up to 98% AFUE provides more heat for less, lowering fuel cost and consumption. Its AFUE rating means that 98 cents of every dollar of heating energy expense is actually working to warm the home.
DSG# Mfg#
Description
160690
YP9C060B12MP12C
AFFINITY 98% 60MBH MOD MULTI POS
160691
YP9C080B12MP12C
AFFINITY 98% 80MBH MOD MULTI POS
162000
YP9C080C16MP12C
AFFINITY 98% 80MBH MOD MULTI POS
160692
YP9C100C16MP12C
AFFINITY 98% 100MBH MOD MULTI
163590
YP9C100C20MP12C
AFFINITY 98% 100MBH MOD MULTI
160693
YP9C120D20MP12C
AFFINITY 98% 120MBH MOD MULTI
Get Ready For New Water Heater Rules With Bradford White And DSG THE NEW EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE UPDATED NAECA WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 16, 2015. BRADFORD WHITE’S AEROTHERM™ SERIES HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER IS THE PERFECT REPLACEMENT.
SMART FOR CUSTOMERS
ENERGY STAR® certified, the AeroTherm™ Series is eligible for most rebate programs throughout the country, resulting in initial savings to the consumer. An efficiency of 2.4 EF (Energy Factor) results in significant energy and money savings over the product’s lifetime.
SMART FOR YOU
For plumbing professionals, the AeroTherm™ Series features top-mounted water connections and a convenient height and weight for quick and easy replacements and installations. The product can also be laid on its side for more convenient transportation. MODEL # RE2H50R10 JANUARY/FEBR UARY 2015 | SPOTLIGHT
COMING SOON!
PRESORTED STD US POSTAGE
PAID
what's inside Energy Efficiency Fuels Demand Featured Products Tom's Current DSG Outdoors Pop Quiz Marketing Toolkit
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Detroit Lakes, MN Permit No. 14
Box 13573 • Grand Forks, ND 58208-3573