Why join the Heat Pump Installer Network?

If you sell, design, install, or service heat pump systems in residential and/or small commercial buildings, being a participant in the Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN) can help you improve and expand your business. Heat pumps and electrification are a priority in the states where the HPIN operates. As a participant in the HPIN, you will play an important role in increasing adoption of heat pumps and supporting achievement of climate, clean energy, and decarbonization goals.

The Sponsors of the HPIN, which are identified in the Addendum(s) attached to this Agreement, provide HPIN participants with access to a wide range of resources and services to support their businesses, including access to training, marketing materials and support, sales tools, information about generous financial incentives for heat pump projects, and period communications about important news and developments. Additionally, to help grow your business, all participants will be listed in the HPIN Directory, which is made available online for customers to search for companies like yours to help support their heat pump projects. 

Participation Agreement

Please read the participation agreement thoroughly with your team. Especially important is to review Section 5: General Business Practice- this section contains all of the expectations for your business as a participant on the Clean Heat RI HPIN.

Heat Pump Installer Network Participation Agreement

THIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made by and between the contractor whose signature appears below (“Participating Contractor”) and Abode Energy Management, LLC (“Program Vendor”), and sets forth the terms and conditions under which the Participating Contractor shall participate in the Heat Pump Installer Network (“HPIN”). 
 
WHEREAS, the Sponsors of the HPIN, which are identified in the attached Addendum(s) (“Sponsors”), have offered to their customers (“Customers”) access to financing, rebates, and/or other incentives (“Heat Pump Incentives”) in order to promote the priorities of electrification and adoption of heat pumps (the “Program”); 
 
WHEREAS, in order for Customers to qualify for certain offers available through the Program, Customers must use Participating Contractors to perform qualifying work; 
 
WHEREAS, the Participating Contractor acknowledges that heat pumps and electrification are priorities for the Program and intends to promote these priorities in its business; 
 
WHEREAS, the Participating Contractor wishes to participate in the HPIN and intends to remain in good standing; 
 
WHEREAS, the Sponsors have contracted with the Program Vendor to support the administration of the HPIN, including enrollment of Participating Contractors pursuant to this Agreement;  
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms of this Agreement and the benefits of participation in the HPIN, the Participating Contractor agrees as follows: 
 
1. COVERED ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS 
 
The Sponsors provide Heat Pump Incentives to Customers who retrofit their homes or businesses with eligible new equipment in accordance with the requirements of the Program. The Heat Pump Incentives and the Program are subject to change from time to time upon notice from the Program Vendor, which will be provided by email and posted to the Program website. 
 
As a condition of eligibility for the Heat Pump Incentives, the Sponsors require that work must be performed by contractors who are Participating Contractors in the HPIN. 
 
The Sponsors are entitled to 100% of the benefits and rights associated with the energy-efficient measures, excluding the value of energy cost savings by Customers. This includes, without limitation, all rights to all ISO-NE products and all other attributes, credits or products associated therewith, and all other electric system capacity credits and environmental credits under any regional initiative or federal, state or local law, program or regulation. The Participating Contractor agrees to provide the Program Vendor with such documentation that the Sponsors may request to confirm the Sponsors’ ownership of such benefits.  
 
The Participating Contractor agrees to inform Customers that the benefits conferred upon Customers through participation through the Program may be taxable by the federal, state, or local tax government, and that neither the Program Vendor nor the Sponsors are responsible for the repayment of any such taxes. 
 
2. SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATING CONTRACTORS 
 
As a participant in good standing in the HPIN, the Participating Contractor may be eligible for services available exclusively to HPIN participants (“HPIN Services”). These Services, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change from time to time. Current HPIN Services are described in the Addendum(s). 
 
3. GOOD STANDING 
 
The Participating Contractor is required to maintain good standing in the HPIN to remain eligible for HPIN Services. The Program Vendor, in consultation with the Sponsors, will determine the requirements of good standing in its sole and absolute discretion, and such requirements are subject to change with or without notice to the Participating Contractor.  
 
Additional information about good standing and expectations of the Participating Contractor are set forth in the attached HPIN Contractor Accountability Policy. 
 
The Participating Contractor agrees to allow the Sponsors and the Program Vendor, including any third-party vendors designated by the Sponsors or the Program Vendor, to inspect and audit the Participating Contractor’s books, records, correspondence, receipts, vouchers, and memoranda relating to work that the Participating Contractor has performed for quality assurance, customer satisfaction, claims resolution, or other purposes related to assessing the Participating Contractor’s good standing in the HPIN. 
 
4. PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS 
 
As a condition of good standing in the HPIN, the Participating Contractor hereby represents and warrants as follows: 

a) that the Participating Contractor possesses the technical and professional expertise and has and will maintain the necessary fiscal resources to fulfill all Customer work it undertakes during the period that it participates in the HPIN; 

b) that the Participating Contractor will abide by any and all policies, requirements, codes of conduct, and such other agreements required by the Sponsors and/or the Program Vendor; 

c) that the Participating Contractor has completed, or as applicable will complete as required, the training requirements and certifications set forth in the Addendum(s), subject to such modifications or additional trainings or certifications that the Sponsors or the Program Vendor may require from time to time; 

d) that neither the Participating Contractor nor any of its officers, owners, directors, or managers has any unresolved or outstanding complaints before any licensing board or is a party to outstanding litigation that involves the work of the Participating Contractor. 
 

By signing this Agreement, the Participating Contractor confirms that these representations and warranties are true and accurate, subject to any exceptions that the Participating Contractor may affirmatively disclose in writing to the Program Vendor at the time of signing the Agreement. The Participating Contractor further acknowledges its duty to supplement or amend these disclosures promptly and in writing to the Program Vendor in the event the representations and warranties become untrue or incomplete at any time during its participation in the HPIN.

5. GENERAL BUSINESS PRACTICES 
 
As a condition of good standing in the HPIN, the Participating Contractor agrees to abide by the following general business practices: 

a) Respond to Customer communications in a timely, responsible manner (generally within 3 business days); 

b) Report heat pump project installations promptly and accurately to the Program Vendor; 

c) Maintain (and promptly make available to the Program Vendor and the Sponsors upon request) complete and accurate records of heat pump project installations performed for a minimum of three years from the date of completion of installation, including documentation of customer contracts and correspondence, employees who performed work, records of data collected, visits made, materials furnished or installed, costs incurred, invoices, and any photographs or measurements taken; 

d) Properly set and fulfill Customer expectations and perform all work in a timely manner and to Customers’ satisfaction; 

e) Include all required elements in Customer invoices, in accordance with the most current version of a sample invoice provided by the Program Vendor (see attached); 

f) Ensure that all personnel conduct themselves in a professional manner when interacting with Customers and with staff of the Sponsors and the Program Vendor; 

g) Comply at all times with the most current Program directives issued by the Sponsors and the Program Vendor; 

h) Properly and fully present HPIN features and benefits to Customers so that Customers can make fully informed decisions about eligible incentives and implementation of heat pump measures; 

i) Refrain from inaccurate characterizations of the Program, the Sponsors, the Program Vendor, or the HPIN, including but not limited to refraining from holding itself out to be agents or employees of the Sponsors, the Program Vendor, or the Program; 

j) Comply with the Sponsors’ and the Program Vendor’s marketing and communication guidelines, including refraining from using any Program logo in promotions or advertising without the prior express written consent of the Program Vendor; 

k) Refrain from communicating with the media about the HPIN or the Program, and instead refer all media inquiries to the Program Vendor; 

l) Provide, for any equipment installed, the manufacturer’s warranty plus optional extended warranty coverage, if applicable; 

m) Promptly notify the Program Vendor if any disputes arise with Customers regarding allegations of improper work performed or improper business practices, including but not limited to lawsuits, claims, or legal demands, and cooperate with the Program Vendor to resolve disputes expeditiously and amicably to the satisfaction of Customers and to avoid negative publicity associated with the Program or the HPIN;  

n) Perform all work in a safe manner, taking all necessary and advisable precautions for the safety of all persons and property at, on, or near work sites, including erecting and maintaining all necessary and advisable safeguards as required by the conditions, prudent industry practice, and progress of the work (the Participating Contractor shall be solely and exclusively responsible for safety at work sites and for compliance with any and all federal, state, and local safety laws, ordinances, regulations, and rules relating to performance of work, including but not limited to OSHA, and shall ensure that any subcontractors take similar precautions to avoid injury to persons or damage to property); 

o) Maintain all Program-required certifications and insurance coverages continuously, immediately inform the Program Vendor of any changes (including but not limited to expiration or cancellation), and promptly provide updated documentation to the Program Vendor accordingly. 

p) Include all information and disclosures required by the Program Vendor on each Customer invoice. If the Participating Contractor (including its subcontractors) applies for and intends to collect a rebate on behalf of a Customer, the Participating Contractor must disclose the rebate amount on the Customer’s invoice and must credit that amount to the Customer as an instant rebate without delay. 
 

6. POST-INSTALLATION WORK VERIFICATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 
 
The Participating Contractor acknowledges and agrees: 

a) That heat pump installations, including records that the Participating Contractor is required to maintain, may be subject to inspection by the Sponsors or the Program Vendor prior to rebate payment; 

b) That failure to abide by Program requirements and procedures, including submitting necessary documents in a timely manner and cooperating with post-installation inspections, may jeopardize the Participating Contractor’s ability to receive Heat Pump Incentives or offer financing under the Program. 

The Participating Contractor agrees to allow the Sponsors and the Program Vendor, including any third-party vendors designated by the Sponsors or the Program Vendor, to conduct field inspections of work that the Participating Contractor has performed for quality assurance, customer satisfaction, claims resolution, or other purposes related to assessing the Participating Contractor’s good standing in the HPIN.  
 
The Participating Contractor, upon notification of the Sponsors or the Program Vendor, and at no additional cost to the Customer, shall make reasonable repairs or corrections to work that the Participating Contractor has performed to bring such work up to HPIN standards or to address health or safety concerns, as determined by the Program Vendor in its sole discretion. All non-emergency corrections must be completed within 30 days of notification, and all corrections related to health and safety concerns must be made immediately. This requirement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  
 
The Participating Contractor acknowledges that the Sponsors or the Program Vendor may issue post-installation customer satisfaction surveys for the purposes of determining future Program design and marketing activities. 
 

7. USE OF SUBCONTRACTORS 
 
To the extent that use of subcontractors is permitted by the Program Vendor in connection with work performed under the Program (which permission may be withheld or contingent upon prior written approval by the Program Vendor in its discretion), the Participating Contractor is responsible for all of the work performed by its subcontractors, including ensuring that subcontractors adhere to all HPIN policies and standards set forth herein to at least the same degree of diligence exercised by the Participating Contractor itself. 
 
Upon request by the Sponsors or the Program Vendor, the Participating Contractor agrees to provide information regarding subcontractors providing services in connection with work performed under the Program, including but not limited to subcontract agreements, ownership and demographic data, full description of the nature of the subcontractor relationship, proof of completion of work, and other information requested. 
 
The Participating Contractor acknowledges and agrees that it cannot engage as a subcontractor to any company or individual that has been suspended or terminated from the HPIN or from any Program offered by the Sponsors, including any company in which a suspended or terminated individual holds an ownership interest or entitlement to compensation related to the performance of work under the Program. 

To the extent that the Participating Contractor i) is a Rebate Processing Organization, or ii) subcontracts with a Rebate Processing Organization in connection with work performed under the Program, the Participating Contractor agrees and acknowledges that rebate liability is subject to the terms agreed upon by the Participating Contractor and the Rebate Processing Organization, and neither the Sponsors nor Program Vendor assume any liability for rebates or rebate processing. Further, any Rebate Processing Organization participating in the Program shall not advertise or represent that the state endorses or supports their company or platform. Participation in the Program does not constitute state endorsement, and this distinction must be clearly maintained in all marketing and communications.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW OR REGULATION, THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OF THE SPONSORS AND THE PROGRAM VENDOR, INCLUDING THEIR PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, REPRESENTATIVES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS (COLLECTIVELY, “HPIN INDEMNITEES”) FROM AND AGAINST ALL LIABILITIES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, FINES, PENALTIES, COSTS, EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES), DEMANDS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER (“LOSSES”) ARISING, OR ALLEGED TO HAVE ARISEN OUT OF, ANY CLAIMS (JUST OR UNJUST) RELATING TO A BREACH OF OR AN ACT INCIDENT TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTS OF, OMISSIONS OF, OR WORK PERFORMED BY THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR, INCLUDING ITS EMPLOYEES AND/OR SUBCONTRACTORS, OR COMPLIANCE WITH THE RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION SERVICES (RCS) STATUTE.

THE MAXIMUM TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE HPIN INDEMNITEES TO THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR FOR ALL CLAIMS OF ANY KIND, WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), WARRANTY, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY LOSSES ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE PERFORMANCE OR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEED $1,000.00 (ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS). 

THE HPIN INDEMNITEES SHALL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE LIABLE TO THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES.

THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR SHALL HOLD EACH OF THE HPIN INDEMNITEES HARMLESS FROM ANY LOSSES ARISING FROM WORK PERFORMED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY CLAIM OR SUIT RESULTING FROM MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT COMBUSTION SAFETY, INDOOR AIR QUALITY, ASBESTOS, LEAD ABATEMENT, MILDEW, FUNGUS, MOISTURE INTRUSION, OR MOLD OF EVERY TYPE AND NATURE.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

9. NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS 
 
THE PROGRAM VENDOR AND SPONSORS DO NOT ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR WARRANT ANY CONTRACTOR, MANUFACTURER OR PRODUCT, AND MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PROJECT, OR ANY SERVICES PERFORMED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, WHETHER STATUTORY, ORAL, WRITTEN, EXPRESS, OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS DISCLAIMER SHALL SURVIVE ANY CANCELLATION, COMPLETION, TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM.  
 
THE PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO COMMUNICATE TO ALL CUSTOMERS THAT ANY WARRANTIES PROVIDED BY ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS, LICENSORS, OR PROVIDERS OF MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, OR OTHER ITEMS PROVIDED OR USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM UNDER THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING ITEMS INCORPORATED IN THE PROGRAM (“THIRD PARTY WARRANTIES”), ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED WARRANTIES OF THE SPONSORS OR THE PROGRAM VENDOR, AND THE PROGRAM VENDOR AND SPONSORS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS, GUARANTEES, OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE APPLICABILITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY SUCH THIRD PARTY WARRANTIES.  
 
THE TERMS OF THIS SECTION SHALL GOVERN OVER ANY CONTRARY VERBAL STATEMENTS OR LANGUAGE APPEARING IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PROGRAM.   
 
10. TERM AND TERMINATION 
 
Regardless of the execution date, this Agreement will expire on December 31, 2025, unless otherwise extended in writing by the Program Vendor or terminated earlier by the Program Vendor for cause or convenience. 
 
The Program Vendor or the Sponsors may at any time terminate this Agreement or modify the available Services, Heat Pump Incentives, or HPIN eligibility requirements, in whole or in part, from time to time, whether for cause or for its own convenience, by providing written notice to the Participating Contractor. Such termination or modification shall be effective in the manner and upon the date specified in said notice (including by email or posting to the Program website) and shall be without prejudice to any claims that the Sponsors or the Program Vendor may have against the Participating Contractor. 
 
The Participating Contractor may withdraw from the HPIN by providing not less than 30 days written notice to the Program Vendor. 
 
11. CONFIDENTIALITY 
 
The Participating Contractor acknowledges that performing work for Customers may cause the Participating Contractor and its employees to receive certain sensitive information (“Confidential Information”) that must be kept confidential. The term Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, Customer names, addresses, account numbers, photographs taken inside or outside Customer homes, utility usage information, the contents of Home Energy Assessment or similar reports, and other non-public information that may be obtained by the Participating Contractor.  
 
The Participating Contractor agrees that it will keep all Confidential Information confidential, will protect all Confidential Information with a degree of diligence not less than that with which the Participating Contractor protects its own confidential information, and will utilize Confidential Information only in connection with the purpose of performing work for Customers. 
 
If the Participating Contractor is required by law to disclose Confidential Information (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demands, regulation, statute or otherwise), the Participating Contractor will, when permitted by law, (i) notify the Program Vendor and provide the Program Vendor the opportunity to review the Confidential Information, and (ii) provide the Program Vendor the opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In the event that a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or is not pursued within a reasonable period of time, the Participating Contractor or its representatives will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that it is legally required to disclose, and the Participating Contractor will request that confidential treatment be accorded to the Confidential Information by relevant third parties.  
 
The Participating Contractor shall notify the Program Vendor immediately and in writing of any actual or attempted unauthorized possession, use, or knowledge of Confidential Information, including but not limited to data breach events or unauthorized disclosures. The Participating Contractor shall promptly and in writing provide the Program Vendor with full details of the actual or attempted unauthorized possession, use, or knowledge, and shall use reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence thereof. The Program Vendor and the Sponsors, or their designated agents, shall have the right, upon reasonable notice to the Participating Contractor, to complete a review of the Participating Contractor’s security measures and ensure that unauthorized access to Confidential Information has been eliminated. Failure by the Participating Contractor to comply with this Article shall be considered a material breach of this Agreement, for which no cure period shall apply. The Participating Contractor shall notify the Program Vendor immediately and in writing if it becomes aware of a vulnerability that could create a risk of unauthorized access to Confidential Information, including but not limited to virus or worm outbreaks, cyber security intrusions into systems that hold Confidential Information, physical security breaches into facilities that hold Confidential Information, or misappropriation of Confidential Information by employees, former employees, vendors, or third parties, and shall work with the Program Vendor and the Sponsors to mitigate such risk. 
 
The Participating Contractor agrees that it will comply with all laws governing the use and/or disclosure of any Confidential Information that are applicable in states where Customer work is performed. 
For the avoidance of doubt, the Participating Contractor shall not share any Confidential Information with any third party, including any Community Action Partnership or municipality, without the Program Vendor’s express prior written consent. Further, for the avoidance of doubt, the Participating Contractor acknowledges that it is prohibited from using Customer names or addresses for any advertising or other promotional purposes, and that information about utility sponsored programs and communications with the Sponsors and Program Vendor are strictly confidential and may not be publicly disclosed without the Program Vendor’s express prior written consent. 
 
The Participating Contractor acknowledges that a breach of this Section 11 by the Participating Contractor would cause irreparable harm to the Sponsors and/or the Program Vendor for which money damages would be inadequate and would entitle the Sponsors and/or the Program Vendor, as applicable, to injunctive relief and to such other remedies as may be provided by law or in equity. 
 
12. MISCELLANEOUS 
 

a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any attached addendums, appendices, supplemental agreements, policies guidelines, or manuals, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Participating Contractor on one hand and the Program Vendor or Sponsors on the other hand concerning the HPIN and supersedes all prior written and oral agreements, proposals, promises, and representations, including but not limited to prior HPIN Participation Agreements. 

b) Force Majeure. Each Party shall be excused from performance under this Agreement and shall have no liability to the other Party for any period it is prevented from performing any of its obligations, in whole or in part, as a result of material delay caused by the other Party or by an act of God, war, terrorism, civil disturbance, court order, or natural disaster, or other action beyond the reasonable control of a Party. 

c) Assignment. It is agreed by the Parties that there will be no assignment or transfer of this Agreement, nor of any interest in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Program Vendor.  

d) Dispute Resolution. The Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement (each, a “Dispute”), under the provisions of this Section. The procedures set forth herein shall be the exclusive mechanism for resolving any Dispute that may arise from time to time. All negotiations pursuant to this provision shall be confidential and treated as compromise and settlement negotiations. 

i. The Parties shall first attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute by negotiation and consultation between themselves. 

ii. In the event that such Dispute is not resolved on an informal basis within 30 days after one Party provides written notice to the other Party of such Dispute (“Dispute Notice”), either Party may, by written notice to the other Party (“Escalation to Executive Notice”), refer such dispute to negotiation between executives of each Party with authority to settle the dispute and who are at a higher level of management than the persons with direct responsibility for administration of this Agreement (“Executives”).    

iii. If the Executives cannot resolve the Dispute within 30 days after the date of the Escalation to Executive Notice, either Party may file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction. 

e) Choice of Law. This Agreement is made pursuant to and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to rules governing conflicts of laws. This Agreement is further subject to and is intended to be in conformity with and governed by all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, ordinances, directives, orders, and codes governing the provision of HPIN Services and the Participating Contractor work described herein. The Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for any legal proceedings arising out of or relating to the Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. 

13. ATTESTATION AND SIGNATURE 
 
The undersigned individual, on behalf of the Participating Contractor, hereby attests as follows: 

a) I am the duly authorized representative of the undersigned Participating Contractor and have the necessary legal authority to act on the Participating Contractor’s behalf in signing this Agreement; 

b) All of the information supplied herein is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and reasonable inquiry, and I understand I have a duty to supplement or correct any information which becomes untrue or which I learn is untrue or incomplete in the future; 

c) I have read and understood all of the definitions, terms, conditions, representations, warranties, INCLUDING THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY PROVISIONS, that are contained herein, together with any addendums, appendices, supplemental agreements, policies, guidelines, or manuals provided; 

d) I understand that the information provided herein may be publicized in the HPIN Directory and on Program websites for Customers to search for companies to provide services related to heat pump installation, and that the Sponsors and the Program Vendor may use the information provided herein for the purposes of communicating with the Participating Contractor; 

e) I understand that by signing this Agreement, I consent to any other inquiry by the Program Vendor and the Sponsors to verify or confirm the information I have given. I hereby authorize any reference identified or provided to the Program Vendor to release to the Program Vendor any information pertaining to past or present relevant work. I hereby release from all liability or damage the Program Vendor, the Sponsors, and those persons, agencies, or organizations who may furnish such information. 

This Addendum is attached to and incorporated into the Heat Pump Installer Network Participation Agreement.

SPONSORS:

Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources

PROGRAM:

Clean Heat Rhode Island

SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PARTICPATING CONTRACTORS:

The following Services are available currently to Participating Contractors through Clean Heat Rhode Island:

• Exclusive access for eligible customers to heat pump incentives.
• Listing on the Clean Heat Rhode Island Program website and access to leads through the Final an Installer tool.
• Marketing materials and sales tools, including customer brochures and flyers
• Regular e-newsletters, including program updates, upcoming industry trainings, and installation best practices
• Support via the Program Vendor’s Heat Pump and HVAC Subject Matter Experts

Services available to Participating Contractors through the Program are subject to change from time to time.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

All Participating Contractors must provide the following:

• Signed copy of this Participating Contractor Agreement
• W-9
• Certificate of Comprehensive General Liability Insurance
• Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification, Type II, OR Universal Refrigerant Handling Certification
• Relevant training:
  • Air Source Heat Pump Installers must provide the following:
    • Rhode Island Master Refrigerant License
      • If installing in commercial/industrial properties, must provide a Master 1 Refrigerant License.
    • Certification of installation or service training provided by a heat pump manufacturer (within the last 5 years).
    • Within the first year of participation, all primary installers must provide a certificate of completion for cold climate heat pump sizing and design training by a manufacturer.
  • Ground Source Heat Pump / Geothermal Installers must provide the following:
    • Certification of installation or service training provided by a ground-source heat pump manufacturer (within the last 5 years) OR International Ground-Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) Installer or GeoExchange Designer certificate.
  • Heat Pump Water Heaters Installers must provide the following:Rhode Island Master Plumbers License

** License and certification substitution may be acceptable, if approved by Program Vendor  

Policy Objective

This policy clarifies the high standards of compliance and quality that are required of installers participating in the Heat Pump Installer Network program. Installers are an important stakeholder under the program, and this policy aims to clearly define the program’s expectations in terms of customer satisfaction, accountability to program standards, and program integrity.

Certain terms used in the policy are defined as follows:

• "HPIN” or “program” means the Heat Pump Installer Network program;
• “Sponsors” means the sponsors of Energize Connecticut, Mass Save, and/or Clean Heat Rhode Island, as applicable;
• “Program Vendor” means Abode Energy Management LLC;
• “Contractor” means a contractor who participates in the HPIN program subject to the terms of a Participation Agreement between the contractor and the Program Vendor.

The policy outlines general pathways by which the Program Vendor, in consultation with the Sponsors, will administer the policy. The Sponsors and the Program Vendor emphasize that they intend to take a collaborative approach toward getting contractors “back on track” in response to issues that may arise under the program, while also maintaining the flexibility to adapt this policy as needed in the future, or to address individual situations specifically, in order to effectively administer the program.

Program Standards

All participating contractors are required to adhere to the General Business Practices
listed in Section 5 of the HPIN Agreement as a condition of maintaining good standing in the program. In addition, contractors are subject to additional standards on a state-by state basis:

Rhode Island:

• Quality Installation standards listed on the Quality Installation Checklist
• Clean Heat Rhode Island Program Terms and Conditions.

The Program Vendor reserves the right to modify any of these standards or introduce new standards in the future. If any modifications are required, the Program Vendor will notify participating contractors by email of such changes.

Communication

All communication related to this policy will take place through the Program Vendor’s state-specific Contractor Support Team. All emails will be sent to the primary company contact on file, and contractors should direct any communication regarding the program to the applicable email address listed below.

Rhode Island:

• Email CleanHeatRI@AbodeEM.com or call 401-341-6183

Types of Offenses

 

Minor Offense

Minor Offenses refer to violations of program standards that the Program Vendor deems do not significantly compromise customer satisfaction, program integrity, or safety. Determinations of Minor Offenses will be made by Program Vendor on a case-by-case basis in its sole discretion. Some examples of Minor Offenses may include but are not limited to:

• Customer escalations due to business practices in violation of Section 5 of the HPIN Agreement;
• Issues arising from a violation of the Terms and Conditions;
• Installations where an inspection reveals an inconsistency in equipment information, or which are otherwise not in compliance with the Quality Installation Checklist.

 

Major Offense

Major Offenses refer to violations of program standards, including installations and business practices, that the Program Vendor deems to be serious or which compromise customer satisfaction, program integrity, or safety. Some examples of Major Offenses may include but are not limited to:

• Any behavior that violates or allegedly violates state or Federal law;
• Falsification of program documentation;
• Repeated failure to meet quality installation standards;
• Installations containing safety violations that may pose a risk to customers or
  their property;
• Dissemination of misleading programmatic information to customers.

Determination as to whether conduct by a contractor constitutes an offense, or whether the offense is a Minor Offense or a Major Offense, shall be made by the Program Vendor, in consultation with the Sponsors, in its sole discretion.

 

Pathway for Minor Offenses

Initial Notification

Upon the first Minor Offense, the contractor will receive a formal notice of violation from the Program Vendor. The notice will be sent via email. It will specify the nature of the offense and provide guidance on corrective actions.

The contractor will have 30 days to rectify the issue to the Program Vendor’s satisfaction. Additional time may be granted if the contractor has communicated with the Program Vendor and is implementing a reasonable plan to address the issue. If no action or insufficient action is taken after the deadline, the issue may be escalated to a Major Offense.

Coaching Period

If the contractor commits a second Minor Offense of similar nature, they will enter a Coaching Period. A notice of violation will be sent by the Program Vendor via email.

During the Coaching Period, the contractor may be required to undergo additional training or corrective measures as required by the Program Vendor. For example, contractors may be required to have their installation team leaders complete specific training modules hosted on the eLearning Center related to the issue.

The Program Vendor’s Contractor Support Team will check in periodically with them participating contractor during the Coaching Period to ensure that progress is being made toward the required corrective measures. Lack of follow through on prescriptive corrective measures or lack of communication with the Program Vendor may result in an escalation to a Major Offense.

The duration of a Coaching Period will typically be 90 days from date of notification, but the duration could vary in the Program Vendor’s discretion depending on the nature of the prescribed corrective actions.

Escalation to Major Offense

If the contractor commits a third related Minor Offense or fails to rectify the initial Minor Offense(s), the issue may be considered for escalation to the Major Offense pathway. This will be considered on a case by-case basis by the Program Vendor.

Alternatively, if escalation is determined by the Program Vendor to be unnecessary, the Coaching Period may be extended from its initial end date.

Pathway for Major Offenses

In the event of a Major Offense, the Program Vendor, in consultation with the Sponsors, will assess the violation's severity and develop a customized plan of action on a case-to-case basis. This plan may include immediate suspension from the program pending investigation, termination without warning depending on the severity of the offense, or other appropriate measures deemed necessary to address the violation and mitigate any potential harm to customers, program integrity, or safety. Some possible outcomes are:

Suspension

Participation in the rebate program and other applicable programs (including the Massachusetts HEAT loan program) will be temporarily paused during suspension. In-progress rebates will be processed but new applications will be frozen temporarily. A notice will be sent via email to the primary contact on file.

In some cases, the Program Vendor will collect a list of the participating contractor’s customers with complete or near-complete eligible installations. These customers would be eligible for their expected incentive, but no other projects would be eligible.

The suspended contractor will also be removed from the Find-A-Contractor tool on
the program website until they are re-instated.

The Program Vendor may reinstate a contractor’s good standing in the HPIN program if an outstanding issue is satisfactorily resolved or if sufficient corrective actions are taken in response to a Major Offense. After the issue is resolved, the contractor may be assigned to a Coaching Period to ensure systemic corrective actions are taken, if necessary.

Lack of substantive response to the underlying issue that resulted in the suspension may ultimately lead to termination from the program.

Termination

Termination will result in the contractor being removed from the program indefinitely. A notice will be sent by the Program Vendor via email to the primary contact on file.

In some cases, the Program Vendor will collect a list of the participating contractor’s customers with complete or near-complete eligible installations. These customers would be eligible for their expected incentive, but no other projects would be eligible.

In some cases, the terminated contractor may re-enroll for participation in the program after a period of one year from the termination notification date, subject to review and approval by the Program Vendor in its sole discretion. The contractor will be notified by the Program Vendor in the termination notice whether re-enrollment after one year will be considered or not.

Appeals Process

Contractors have the right to appeal any suspension or termination within 10 business days of notification. Contractors should direct any requests for appeal to the Program Vendor, which will consult with the relevant Sponsors in regards to the request. Appeals will be reviewed by a program administrator designated by the Sponsors, whose decision will be final. 

Record Keeping

The Program Vendor will maintain detailed records of contractor violations, notifications, coaching and suspension periods, terminations, and appeals for audit and review purposes.

Program Review

This policy will be subject to periodic review to ensure its effectiveness in maintaining program integrity and contractor compliance. Adjustments may be made by the Program Vendor as necessary. Any feedback should be directed to the Program Vendor’s Contractor Support Team with the subject line “Accountability Policy Feedback”.

Effective Date

This policy shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all participating HPIN contractors henceforth.

Air source heat pump installations receiving residential or commercial rebates should be completed in accordance with the quality installation checklist above.

I have reviewed and agree to follow the air source heat pump quality installation check-list.

Contracts and invoices must include the highlighted information on the sample invoice above.

I have reviewed and agree to provide information included in the sample invoice.

Understanding the incentive information is very important. Your company's representatives interfacing with customers will be expected to know the incentive information to set accurate expectations of rebate eligibility and values.

Please also review the Incentives page on the website for a full list of eligibility, rules and requirements.

Heat Pump Installer (most likely)

Company or installer who installs heat pumps and satisfies all HPIN requirements, and may or may not receive a customer's rebate.

Rebate Processing Organization

Company that receives rebates on behalf of a HPIN customer or HPIN contractor, but does not perform heat pump installations. 

General Contractor

Company that coordinates the installation of heat pumps using subcontractors and may or may not receive a customer's rebate, but does not perform the install work.

Additional Installer Services

The following questions help us understand what services your company offers to customers (such as financing, upfront rebates, or application assistance). This information may be used to help homeowners find installers who can provide additional support.

Your responses will not impact your eligibility for the Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN).

Please make sure to review and familiarize yourself with the instructions for Installer Submitted Applications. As a reminder, only one email per company is provided for the submission of rebate applications on our application portal.  

Required Documentation Checklist:

1. Signed copy of this Participating Contractor Agreement
2. W-9
3. Rhode Island Master Refrigerant License 1 or 2^{1, 2}
4. Certificate of Comprehensive General Liability Insurance
   1. If your insurance company requires an address, you may list:
      Abode Energy Management
      555 Virginia Rd, Concord MA 01742
   2. Minimum $1,000,000 commercial general liability (each occurrence)
5. EPA 608 Certification
   1. Type I, Type II or Universal Certification accepted
6. Certification of relevant training:
   • Air Source Heat Pump installers:
     • Certification of installation or service training provided by a heat pump manufacturer (within the last 5 years)
     • Certificate of completion for cold climate heat pump sizing and design training by a manufacturer 
   • Ground Source Heat Pump installers:
     • Certification of installation or service training provided by a ground-source heat pump manufacturer (within the last 5 years) or,
     • International Ground-Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) Installer or GeoExchange Designer certificate

1. If installing in commercial/industrial properties, must provide Master 1 Refrigerant License. 

2. If heat pump water heaters selected, must provide Rhode Island Master Plumbers License.