First Call Jewel Named 2011/2012 Contractor of the Year by the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project, an initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) in collaboration with Idaho utilities, named First Call Jewel the 2011/2012 Contractor of the Year for the state of Idaho. The 65-year-old, family-owned, Idaho Falls-based company is known for quality installations, commitment to customer service and educating their community about the energy efficiency benefits of ductless heating and cooling systems. Over the past year the company has installed more ductless heating and cooling systems than any other contractor in Idaho.

Weve been installing ductless systems for years, said Bob Bidstrup, owner of First Call Jewel. The technology is so efficient, and with the incentives available, more and more customers are asking for them. We have very happy customers.

A ductless heat pump is a highly efficient and easily installed primary heating and cooling system for electrically heated homes. These systems are safe, quiet and heat rooms evenly at a fraction of the cost of baseboard or wall heaters. Since 2008, the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project, in partnership with Northwest utilities, the Bonneville Power Administration and Energy Trust of Oregon, has worked with local businesses like First Call Jewel to install more than 14,000 ductless heating and cooling systems in the Northwest, at a savings of 49,000,000 kWh per year. That is enough electricity to power 4,400 average homes each year.

For customers with outdated or less efficient electric heating, ductless systems are a cost-effective and easy solution, said Todd Greenwell, Idaho Power Program Specialist. Our contractors like First Call Jewel have an important role in promoting the benefits of these systems; their work is helping our customers enjoy more comfortable homes while also saving on their electric bills.

Each year, in collaboration with its regional utility partners, the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project selects one Contractor of the Year representing each of the four states in the region. Winning companies are qualified as Master Installers, and have completed the highest number of ductless heating and cooling system installations in their state. In addition to Idaho Falls First Call Jewel, the other Contractor of the Year winners this year include: Formula Fabrication in Libby, Montana; Automatic Heat Service & Installation in Eugene, Oregon; and Advanced Energy Management in Tacoma, Washington.

Currently, 92 utility partners in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington are offering customer rebates on energy-efficient ductless systems, up to $1,500, often covering 30-50 percent of the cost of an installed ductless system.

Visit GoingDuctless.com to learn about available incentives, purchasing this technology and to learn more about ductless heating and cooling systems.

About the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to maximize energy efficiency to meet our future energy needs. NEEA is supported by and works in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and more than 100 Northwest utilities for the benefit of more than 12 million energy consumers. NEEA uses the market power of the region to accelerate the innovation and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices. Since 1997, NEEA and its partners have saved enough energy to power more than 568,400 homes each year. Energy efficiency can satisfy more than half of our new demand for energy, saving money, and keeping the Northwest a healthy and vibrant place to live. For more information, visit neea.org.

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First Call Jewel Named 2011/2012 Contractor of the Year by the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project