Energy Conservation Program
INTRODUCTION
To encourage the efficient use of energy, the Office of the Secretary of Defense established a utility consumption policy that holds the service member and his/her family responsible for their utilities. In accordance with the mandate, Hickam Communities is responsible for implementing and managing the program for the Air Force in Hawaii. Beginning May 2012, select homes will start receiving a monthly energy conservation statement. The statements are not bills and no monies will be due. Their purpose is to familiarize families with their utility consumption and help prepare them for the Department of Defense’s Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP); the Air Force anticipates launching live billing at Hickam Communities in 2013.
Utility services provider Minol has been contracted by Hickam Communities to manage monthly energy conservation statements and, in the future, live billing.
Monthly statements show the meter number, cost of electricity per kilowatt, the utility allowance (UA) for the home, and actual energy consumption during the billing period. Water consumption data is included and is listed for reference only. All new and renovated homes at Hickam have been outfitted with individual electric and water meters as part of construction.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Click here for more information about the program goals and process.
Click here for information on how to read your monthly statement.
Click here for information on how to read your electric meter.
Click here for information on how to access your resident account online at the Minol website.
You can also select a link from the menu on the left. If you have any questions about your statements, building profile group, utility allowance or other program questions or issues, please contact Minol at www.minolusa.com or through their Resident Call Center:
Minol Resident Call Center
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Hawaii Time)
1-888-636-0493.• www.minolusa.com
Multi-lingual Resident Relations Team available.
Program Update: May 1, 2013
Hickam Communities launched the DoD Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP) in 2012 beginning with approximately 400 homes in our Onizuka community. Today, the program includes more than 2,000 homes across our communities. Below is an overview of what we hope to accomplish prior to starting live billing later this year.
- Conservation Education – In partnership with HECO, Hickam Communities will post "The Power to Save, Energy Tips & Choices for your Household" on our website. This informative presentation was developed by HECO with emphasis on helping military families conserve energy. Look for it soon!
- Adding Metered Homes – In May, we are making an effort to include more metered homes in the mock billing program. Concentrating primarily on our historic home inventory, we will look to increase participation in the Officer Field and Hale Na Koa II communities. Mock statements for the areas should begin in June.
- Water Conservation - Though not part of the RECP program, Hickam Communities has included water consumption information to help make families aware of their usage. Over the next few months we will verify and add additional homes to the program.
- Meter Maintenance/Upgrades- With over 4,000 meters reporting each day it is important to keep up with meter maintenance and replacement. Working with our billing partner, Minol, we are identifying meters requiring service and ensuring issues are immediately addressed.
- Live Billing – Prior to the start of live billing later this year, all home profiles and utility allowances will be reviewed and approved by the Air Force to ensure compliance with DoD guidelines. Residents will be notified of the start of live billing at least 90 days in advance.
We have had much success over the last year in conservation due to resident efforts. For March 2013, over 75% of homes would have qualified for rebates if we were in live billing. Another 18% would be in the "no trigger zone," meaning no money would change hands as either a rebate or monies owed fell under the $50 threshold. Overall, 93% of families receiving statements are doing extremely well in the mock billing phase.
Hickam Communities appreciates everyone’s effort to conserve energy. Families interested in learning more about conserving at home are invited to pick up some great energy savings guides from HECO available at our office located at 211 Mercury Street.
For questions about your statements, please contact Minol USA at militaryhousing@minolusa.com or call 888-636-0493. Thank you for making energy conservation a part of your daily routine.
Program Update: November 28, 2012
By now most residents should have received their October Energy Conservation Statement/ Mock Bill from Minol. As you read through your statement please keep in mind that you will see an increase in the cost per kWh for electricity coupled with an increase in your Utility Allowance to offset this rate hike. NAVFAC sets the rate we pay for electricity yearly, adjustments are made each October 1st.
Additionally this month you might see an increase in the amount of water consumption shown on your statement. This increase is a result of a printing error that included an extra zero, and will be corrected with your next statement. Water usage is shown on your bill for informational purposes only and water consumption is not part of the RECP program.
As always if you need assistance with questions on your Utility Allowance, monthly statement, conservation questions or other issues relative to the RECP program please contact our utility billing partner Minol at 1-888-836-0493. Hickam Communities appreciates all that you and your family does to conserve energy. Thank you.
Program Update: November 1, 2012
Electric rates charged by NAVFAC to all its utility customers rose 30 percent at the start of the new fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012. Hickam Communities, a NAVFAC customer, realized an increase from 0.201 cents per kilowatt (kWh) to 0.263 cents per kWh. As a result, residents that are part of the Department of Defense’s Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP) will see rate increase on their next energy conservation statement, but also will see an upward of adjustment to their utility allowance (UA). Your UA is the kWh associated with your profile group, times the rate, so the new higher rate will increase your UA amount. A letter explaining the adjustment will accompany November statements.
Program Update: September 5, 2012
Our RECP program continues to expand. With the delivery of the August statements all metered homes in all our communities should now be included in the program. As we move forward, residents should look to receiving their statements during the third week of each month.