During a pandemic, low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers need more help than ever. But utility Marketplaces aren’t the first place they turn, especially when paying a bill is a much higher priority than purchasing a pricey smart thermostat. 

The solution? Offer free, energy saving products on a utility Marketplace page just for LMI customers. Eligibility checks are built into the site using an address or account number. Best of all, there is no credit card required. These energy efficient products and kits don’t require customers to pay for the cost of the product, tax, or shipping. 

For example, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, or SMUD, saw an influx of applications for their energy assistance program rate, a program that provides a monthly discount for qualified low-income customers–signaling the need to serve a growing segment of LMI customers. 

SMUD ran a campaign to give free, ENERGY STAR® certified holiday lights to a subset of LMI customers on their Giveaway Hub, powered by Uplight. Less than 48 hours after the holiday light promotion was launched and with only half of the planned emails sent, SMUD reached their rebate cap for the program–putting holiday lights in the hands of 2.3K LMI customers.

Find out more about SMUD’s Giveaway Hub in the case study.