ERMUSR MISC ISSUES 04-13-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

i Elk River — Municipal Utilities 32"King Avenue phone: 763.441.2020 Elk River,MN 55330 Fax:-63A41 8099 March 29, 2004 To: Bryan Adams From: Vance Subject: 2004 Expo Survey Results The subject surveys are a useful marketing tool in the following ways: 1. They are a good educational tool in that they provide a visual method of informing the public about the various programs offered by ERMU. They prompt people to ask questions about our programs, and they give us a way of evaluating the effectiveness of the methods we use to reach the public with program information. 2. They also give us a way of measuring public attitude about our programs/policies. These are the results of a cursory overview of the 2004 results: 1. We received 396 out of a possible 400 surveys. Eight of those were disqualified because the info was illegible or missing. 2. Out of the total 388, 167 (43%) were filled out by ERMU customers (almost identical with last year). Thirty three percent were completed by customers of Connexus Energy, and the remaining 24 %were filled out by customers of Wright-Hennepin Electric, Xcel Energy and East Central Energy. 3. Of the 167 completed by ERMU customers, 20%said they didn't know about our Conservation programs, but 62%knew about them and found out from utility brochures. Thirteen percent found out about our conservation programs from the Expo, 4%from the Star News, and 1% found out about our programs from a mix of sources such as HVAC contractors, store displays, and neighbors. It looks like our brochures are working! 4. Our"Wait Till Eight"voluntary curtailment program results were a surprise since we've not done much to promote it over the last year. Thirty percent said they heard about that program last year(retention was good)! Another 31% were unaware of the program, and 37% said they found out about the program today. Two percent were blank. When asked about the importance of the concept, 58%ranked it 8, 9, or 10 (very important) and a majority of those indicated a willingness to take action when weather conditions dictate. 5. Thirty three percent didn't know that ERMU offered security and medical alert services. 6. Ninety one percent said they thought the sprinkling ban was a good idea, but the 9%that disagreed were not supportive based on the comments they added! 7. Forty seven percent said they knew we had a Wind Power Program. That's somewhat lower than expected but probably influenced by the fact that it has been several months since we mailed or advertised info about the program to our customers. The survey continues to be an important educational and program evaluation tool and I recommend we continue to use it and the Expo to further our efforts to inform our customers.