Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. has streamlined a complex process that frustrated HVAC contractors and limited high-efficiency equipment sales. 

A myriad of state, local and utility energy-efficiency rebates are available to help accelerate sales of high-efficiency HVAC equipment and lower costs for homeowners, but contractors often struggle with complex program rules, availability and requirements, explains Doug Widenmann, senior vice president of marketing for Daikin. Some contractors are not using these available energy-efficiency rebates and potentially missing an opportunity to incentivize customer sales, he says. 

“The Daikin Energy Rebate Center addresses this challenge head-on by removing the complexity,” says Widenmann. “It gives contractors the power to up-sell to inverter side discharge systems more effectively by lowering upfront costs and eliminating the hassle of paperwork and delayed payments commonly encountered with utility and government rebate programs.”

Using a unified process, the new Daikin Energy Rebate Center, Powered by Rock Rabbit, helps Daikin, Goodman and Amana brand HVAC contractors quickly identify energy-efficiency rebates nationwide, conveniently submit applications and immediately verify if they meet the requirements, or are missing vital information. 

“By reducing complexity, we’ve made it simple for contractors to find and apply for available incentives that can help customers move forward with a purchase decision,” Widenmann says. “The process helps identify all available incentives that support affordability of high-efficiency products. It also minimizes overhead for contractors who complete forms on behalf of the consumer.”

Find. Submit. Get Paid.

Daikin’s solution is robust, covering energy-efficiency rebates with more than 150 programs, currently available in 37 states with more to come soon.  The states not currently available include AK, AR, DE, HI, KS, MT, ND, PA, SD, TN, VA, WV and WY.

Focusing on high-efficiency products like side-discharge, inverter heat pumps, Daikin Energy Rebate Center uses granular, address-level data to identify available rebates, then provides a simplified application process that checks to ensure eligibility. 

“You don't have to know what energy rebates are available, what the SEER2 requirements are, you don't even need to visit the programs’ websites,” says Matt Baker, national manager, Energy Efficiency and Electrification Programs for Daikin. “We determine all that on the backend. Contractors just go in and tell us, ‘This is what I’m selling, what do I get?’ It’s very, very simple.

“We're going to walk you through everything, help you collect the information, determine if it qualifies, then let you submit, all in one place,” Baker says.

Target: 0% denial rate

Complex rules surrounding many rebate programs can result in rejected applications, a source of frustration that discourages contractors from participating and potentially missing out on sales, explains Baker. 

“Our goal is a zero-percent denial rate,” Baker says. “Using DERC, contractors get real-time feedback on the status of their application. Before an application ever goes to a rebate program, you’re notified instantly if there’s a problem. Missing a model number, receipt or photo of the existing system? You’ll know immediately.”

Baker says DERC currently has a 100% acceptance rate for their contractors’ applications. They’ve achieved this, he explains, by “automating the process using very advanced software and some fantastic AI on the backend to make the experience seamless and convenient.”

Driving high-efficiency comfort

Baker says Daikin developed this effort to help contractors support electrification, address affordability challenges and expose homeowners to products that deliver true comfort and energy efficiency. 

“We’re focused on inverter, side-discharge products such as Daikin FIT, Goodman SD and Amana brand S-series,” Baker explains. “DERC is a tool designed to make it simple for contractors to sell these high-performing systems and help homeowners enjoy long-term energy savings, comfort and inverter-driven benefits like humidity control.”

Any Daikin-affiliated contractor in the United States – regardless of size or brand affiliation – who buys from the Daikin network of company-owned, Daikin-owned, or independent distributors can use DERC. 

Widenmann says Daikin is not asking contractors to do something new, different, or challenging. 

“This is about simplifying something that was unapproachable, too difficult or time-consuming for many even though energy rebates can help make a sale,” says Widenmann. “Ultimately, we want to make it easy for our valued Daikin contractors to drive adoption of inverter systems and help homeowners enjoy high-performing, energy-efficient indoor comfort.”