Small businesses are one of the most important—and often most challenging—segments to engage in energy efficiency programs.
Small businesses represent a significant opportunity for savings, but they also operate under constant time, staffing, and budget constraints. For many small business owners, energy efficiency simply isn’t a priority—not because it lacks value, but because it feels complicated, time-consuming, or disruptive.
That’s why participation in small business programs depends on one critical factor: simplicity.
If programs are easy to understand, easy to access, and easy to act on, small businesses will engage. If they’re not, participation stalls. As utilities look to expand small business savings, energy efficiency kits offer a powerful, practical way to simplify participation—while also opening the door to deeper, long-term impact.
The Simplicity Imperative
Small business customers don’t have time to navigate complex applications, wait through long approval cycles, or coordinate multiple vendors. Programs that require parallel processes or significant effort create friction, and friction reduces participation.
Simplified program design changes that dynamic.
Clear incentive structures, streamlined enrollment, and faster paths to implementation make it easier for customers to say yes. Programs that integrate into existing workflows consistently outperform those that require customers to adapt. Energy efficiency kits are one of the most effective ways to bring this simplicity to life.
Making Participation Effortless
Kits transform energy efficiency from a multi-step process into a straightforward action. Instead of asking customers to plan and invest in upgrades, kits deliver ready-to-install solutions directly into their hands. The experience is simple, intuitive, and offers immediate savings.
There’s no need for technical expertise, no disruption to operations, and no delay between participation and impact. For small businesses, that ease of use is the difference between intention and action.
More Than a Quick Win: A Gateway to Deeper Savings
While kits deliver immediate savings, their true value goes beyond the initial installation. Kits create a low-risk, high-value first interaction with your program—one that builds trust with small business customers. By delivering tangible results quickly, they demonstrate that energy efficiency is not only accessible, but worthwhile.
That trust is critical.
Energy efficiency kits serve as a gateway to deeper participation. For utilities, this means kits are not just a standalone tactic, they are a strategic entry point into broader small business engagement. Once a customer has a positive, simple experience, they are far more likely to engage in additional opportunities, whether that’s direct install upgrades, equipment incentives, or more comprehensive energy solutions.
Designed for Small Business Realities
The most effective small business solutions are built around how these customers actually operate.
That means:
Energy efficiency kits check every one of these boxes. They are easy to distribute, easy to install, and easy to scale, making them an ideal fit for programs looking to expand reach while creating a pipeline for deeper savings.
The Franklin Energy Perspective
At Franklin Energy, we specialize in designing and delivering small business energy efficiency programs that drive participation, engagement, and measurable results. We understand that success in this segment starts with removing barriers—but it doesn’t stop there.
Energy efficiency kits are a key part of a broader strategy to:
By combining simplified entry points with thoughtful program design, utilities can move beyond one-time interactions and toward sustained participation.
Let’s Get Started
Expanding small business savings doesn’t require more complexity; it requires smarter, simpler approaches that meet customers where they are and guide them forward. Energy efficiency kits offer a scalable way to both drive immediate impact and unlock deeper opportunities over time.
Let’s talk about how Franklin Energy can help you design a small business program that engages customers from the first touchpoint to long-term savings.