Community Energy Savings: Smart Thermostat Program FAQ

What is the Community Energy Savings: Smart Thermostat Program?
  • Your public power utility’s Community Energy Savings program is a voluntary program for electric customers who have eligible smart thermostats connected to their central air conditioning.

  • When summer temperatures climb, demand for electricity increases and strains the power grid so prices increase. The Community Energy Savings: Smart Thermostat Program is designed to help reduce energy use during times of high electric demand. This decreases the use of less efficient and more expensive power sources which helps lower energy costs for everyone in your community.

  • Participants agree to brief thermostat adjustments of up to four degrees during high electric demand periods from May 1 through Sept. 30. Thermostat adjustments typically last no more than four hours and will not occur on weekends or holidays, except in the rare event of a system emergency. Participants can conveniently opt out at any time.

  • Participants will receive a one-time $55 virtual prepaid Mastercard® (limit one per household) after successfully enrolling in the program. Plus, if you stay enrolled, you will be entered for a chance to win a $250 Prepaid Mastercard at the end of each summer season.

How will I know if I’m eligible to enroll?

To be eligible to enroll, you must:

Which thermostats qualify for the program?

Provider

Approved Thermostats

Alarm.com

Radio Thermostat CT30, CT80, CT100; Trane ComfortLink Control; RCS Z-Wave Communicating Thermostat; GoControl Z-wave Thermostat; Alarm.com Smart Thermostat; 2GIG Z-Wave Plus™ Battery Powered Thermostat; Trane Z-Wave Thermostat; Linear Thermostat

ecobee

ecobee3, ecobee3 Lite, ecobee4, ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control, Smart Thermostat Enhanced, Smart Thermostat Premium

Amazon

Amazon Smart Thermostat

Sensi

Sensi™ Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat, Sensi Lite Smart Thermostat, Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat

Honeywell Home

Wi-Fi T5+ Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi T6 Pro Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi T9 Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi T10 Smart Thermostat

Honeywell TCC

Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, Wi-Fi 9000 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, Wi-Fi 9000 Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi VisionPro 8000 Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi Round Smart Thermostat

Lux

LUX/GEO, LUX KONO

Google Nest

Google Nest Thermostat, Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Google Nest Thermostat E

Vivint

Radio Thermostat CT100 with Vivint Go!Control Panel

What is my enrollment incentive?
  • You will receive a one-time $55 Prepaid Mastercard after successfully enrolling in the program (one Prepaid Mastercard per household).

  • You will receive your $55 Prepaid Mastercard within 60 days of being accepted into the program.

  • The $55 Prepaid Mastercard will be sent to the email address used to register your smart thermostat.

  • Plus, if you stay enrolled, you will be entered for a chance to win a $250 Prepaid Mastercard at the end of each summer season.

Where can I find the Terms and Conditions for the program?
How do I sign up for Community Energy Savings?

Confirm your eligibility for the program by answering “yes” to these three questions: 1. Are you a participating public power utility electric customer? 2. Do you use an eligible, internet-connected thermostat to control your central air conditioning? 3. Will you allow your public power utility to make brief, small thermostat adjustments on high electric demand days or in the rare event of a system emergency?

If you answered “yes” to all three questions, please choose whether you have an eligible thermostat to enroll in the program or if you would like to purchase a new, qualifying thermostat.

If you have an existing thermostat, please select your thermostat among the eligible models. Then, click the Enroll Now button to go to your thermostat’s enrollment site, where you will follow a series of simple steps to enroll.

If you don’t have an existing eligible thermostat, please choose a model to purchase and install. Once you have installed and activated your thermostat, revisit this page to enroll your new thermostat in the program.

Once you have successfully enrolled your thermostat, your public power utility will receive notification. Your public power utility will confirm your eligibility and you will be officially enrolled in the program. You will also receive a confirmation email on your enrollment status to the address provided during your account registration.

How will I know that a temperature adjustment is in progress?

Depending on your thermostat provider, notifications will appear on the thermostat and/or in your web/mobile application.

How will my thermostat be adjusted?
  • At the start of an event, your thermostat will be automatically adjusted up to four degrees above the current temperature setting.

  • The event will typically last fewer than four hours on non-holiday weekday afternoon. Once the event is over, your thermostat will return to its normal setting.

  • Your thermostat may be adjusted down 3 degrees to pre-cool your home prior to the event.

Will participating in the program compromise my comfort?

Only on event days, your thermostat will be adjusted by four degrees or less. Your participation is voluntary, and you will retain control of your thermostat. You can easily opt out of an event for any reason.

Am I allowed to opt out of thermostat adjustment events?

Yes. During an event, you can opt out from your thermostat, mobile device or web app.

What should I do if I no longer want to participate in the program?

Send an email to communityenergysavings@energyhub.com, requesting to end your participation in the program. Once you have been taken off the program, your thermostat(s) will no longer be available for adjustments by your public power utility during peak (high) electric demand events.

What if I have additional questions about the program?