Is It Time for Your Appliance Saturation Study?

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) requires that many electric cooperatives  conduct a residential consumer survey at least every 5 years to obtain data on appliance and equipment saturation and electricity demand.  These surveys, typically referred to as an Appliance Saturation Survey, are used to more accurately develop a load forecast.  In many cases, the survey is conducted by the G&T on behalf of its member systems.

Electric cooperatives shouldn’t procrastinate because an Appliance Saturation Survey seems like a huge task to tackle.  There is so much beneficial information that can be utilized if the survey is structured appropriately. Appliance Saturation Surveys can serve as a multi-dimensional data source.  Instead of trying to gather member information on several different occasions, use this one survey as a tool to gather information that can benefit may departments in your organization.

Of course, the RUS requirement of having the survey done every five years will be one big item to cross off the “to-do” list, but making the survey work to assist in marketing program development and energy efficiency planning can be done as well.  Knowing what type of energy-using equipment consumers are using in their homes is the major reason for conducting the survey.  And identifying any energy efficient upgrades or plans to upgrade can assist in many marketing efforts.  How about inserting a few questions that would give the cooperative an idea of how customer service is perceived by the members?  A combination of all this information can also help to lead to a more accurate load forecast.

Robert Duval, Vice President of EnerVision says, “We have found that we have better response with a mail survey than with a phone survey.  It appears to be a more effective channel with the new anti-telemarketing initiatives.  It also gives the customer an opportunity to respond at a time that is convenient for him/her.  The customer is more inclined to answer thoroughly when they are not rushed.”

EnerVision can assist in developing and implementing your Appliance Saturation Survey.  For more questions regarding this or other EnerVision services, please contact Robert Duval at (888) 999-8840 or e-mail him at Robert.duval@enervision-inc.com.