The first generation of utility marketplaces focused on LEDs and smart thermostats. Today’s utility marketplace goes further—serving planned upgrades and urgent “replace-now” needs with transparent net pricing, installation, and financing options. For utilities, the result is higher participation, measurable savings, and a better customer experience.
If you’re evaluating partners, see our utility marketplace overview to understand how these components come together.
Results snapshot
- Faster conversions: Instant incentives show net price in-cart, reducing drop-off during checkout.
- Equity impact: Eco Financing enables action for LMI and credit-challenged customers at point of sale.
- Program participation: Enrollment at purchase grows demand response and managed charging participation.
- Full coverage: Major appliances across electric and gas categories with bookable installation.
What a utility marketplace is (today)
A utility marketplace is a utility-branded online store that helps customers discover better products, see the net price with instant incentives applied at checkout, select installation and haul-away, and—when helpful—use monthly payments to make purchases affordable. Enrollment for device-enabled programs (like demand response or managed EV charging) can be completed during checkout, turning one purchase into ongoing participation.
State-of-the-art components of a utility marketplace
1) Guidance that makes good choices easy (Enervee Score®)
Shoppers shouldn’t need to decode spec sheets. The Enervee Score presents a simple 0–100 efficiency signal across categories, so customers can quickly compare and choose better models—without cognitive overload.
2) Instant incentives at checkout: Eligibility checks (service address, account, and model validation) happen in the flow, and incentives are applied instantly so customers see the real net price before paying—reducing confusion and drop-off.
3) Eco Financing for inclusive adoption: When a water heater or dryer fails, even a rebated price can be out of reach. Point-of-sale monthly payments pair with instant incentives to convert intent into action—especially for LMI households, renters, and credit-challenged customers.
4) Full appliance coverage (electric and gas): Beyond EV chargers and smart thermostats, a modern utility marketplace supports major appliances—heat pump water heaters, heat pump dryers, HVAC, refrigeration, and cooking—plus, for gas utilities, categories like gas water heaters and gas dryers. Clear install scopes, timelines, warranties, and haul-away are presented upfront.
5) Enrollment built into the cart: Eligible products can be connected to DR, managed charging, or TOU offerings, with enrollment finished during checkout to capture long-term grid value.
6) A replace-now journey that meets customers where they are: Distressed buyers start online. That’s why intuitive navigation, clear next steps, transparent pricing, and fast installation scheduling are essential parts of the experience.
Implementation essentials for a utility marketplace
Eligibility & validation: Service address and account checks are handled at checkout; model eligibility is validated before incentives are applied so customers always see a true net price.
Installation & SLAs: Bookable installation windows, haul-away, and recycling. Typical timelines are communicated pre-checkout, with clear scope (e.g., panel readiness, 120→240V).
IT & data integration: Secure integrations for eligibility, incentives, and program enrollment; privacy-preserving analytics for conversion, equity KPIs, and program attribution.
Governance & compliance: Transparent returns, warranties, and accessibility standards; content includes gas and electric categories to reflect portfolio breadth.
Utility marketplace capabilities at a glance
- Instant incentives (net price): Higher completion; fewer support tickets.
- Eco Financing at checkout: LMI access; converts replace-now purchases.
- Electric and gas appliances: Portfolio breadth (HPWH + gas WH; dryers; cooking).
- Enrollment during purchase: DR/managed charging growth with no extra steps.
- Enervee Score guidance: Higher-efficiency model selection without friction.
How utilities benefit
- Higher participation & savings: Instant rebates, net prices shown in cart, and built-in enrollments increase completion.
- Equity impact: Microloans at checkout help LMI and credit-challenged customers act when equipment fails.
- Customer experience: Transparent installation, scheduling, and haul-away reduce friction and support calls.
Inside the Enervee approach
Enervee Score: A category-wide 0–100 signal that nudges shoppers toward more efficient models across product types and buying conditions—while keeping choice open.
Eco Financing: Point-of-sale monthly payments pair with instant incentives so customers can act immediately—a practical path to equitable outcomes for LMI audiences.
Electric and gas categories: Enervee powers utility marketplaces for both electric and gas measures. Whether it’s heat pumps, induction ranges, or gas water heaters and dryers, customers get the same transparent pricing and checkout experience.
From search to install: Eligibility, net price, installer options (panel readiness or 120→240V upgrades; capping a gas line if switching), and haul-away—consolidated in one place.
What to look for in a utility marketplace partner
- Complete catalog: Smart devices and major appliances (electric and gas).
- Instant incentive application: Clear net prices shown in the cart.
- Inclusive financing: Embedded, simple monthly payments at checkout.
- Install & haul-away: Bookable and transparent before purchase.
- Proven equity outcomes: Demonstrated reach into LMI and DAC tracts, renters, and credit-challenged customers.
Two common utility marketplace journeys
Emergency replacement (water heater or dryer): Customer searches for symptoms → lands on the utility marketplace → models ranked by Enervee Score with the net price shown → selects monthly payments and books install + haul-away → checkout captures enrollments.
Planned upgrade (range or EVSE): Customer compares options (including gas or electric cooking) → reviews install considerations (cord type, panel needs, capping a gas line if switching) → proceeds with transparent pricing, schedules installation, and completes any program enrollment.
See the Enervee utility marketplace in action
Explore how Enervee combines the Enervee Score, instant incentives, Eco Financing, installation, and enrollments in one seamless experience. Learn more about the Enervee utility marketplace →
Frequently asked questions
What is a utility marketplace?
A utility-branded online store where customers can research products, see the net price with instant incentives, select installation and haul-away, enroll in programs, and use monthly payments—all in one flow.
How does a utility marketplace work?
Customers browse eligible products, view transparent pricing with incentives applied, choose installation and haul-away, enroll in programs as needed, and can opt for monthly payments at checkout.
Does a utility marketplace support gas appliances too?
Yes. Leading implementations support gas categories (e.g., gas water heaters and gas dryers) alongside electric measures, with rebates and microloans available where offered.
Do utility marketplaces include installation?
Yes. Bookable installation windows, haul-away, and recycling options are presented up front, with clear scopes and timelines.
How does Eco Financing help LMI customers?
It turns a lump-sum purchase into affordable monthly payments at checkout—crucial when equipment fails and funds are tight.
Why include the Enervee Score?
A clear 0–100 signal helps shoppers quickly identify better-performing models across every category, improving confidence and outcomes.
