Texas heat wave overloaded the grid, causing the company to remotely adjust the thermostat

The Texas grid once again made users unhappy.After the storm last winter, part of the power grid was paralyzed Few days, May cause Hundreds died, The summer heat wave is here again Threatening the gridOne potential solution discovered by Texas Power is to increase the temperature of some customers’ smart thermostats. The problem is that some of these customers don’t know that their power company can and will do such a thing-until their home becomes uncomfortable.

Houston family Tell local news affiliates Their smart thermostat was adjusted to 78 degrees, and there seemed to be no notice other than the text sent afterwards. When they participated in a program called “Smart Savers Texas”-let them participate in a raffle to win up to $5,000 in energy bills for the next year-these users did not realize that this also allowed the power company to adjust their temperature During periods of high demand, such as heat waves.

A power company adjusts your thermostat like a Stereotyped electricity bill conscious dad It may seem dystopian, but it is also quite common.There are programs like Smart Savers Texas all over the country, from California to New EnglandThe idea behind them is to reduce power consumption to reduce grid pressure and avoid power outages.

Since customers are unlikely to voluntarily use less electricity when they need it most, these programs provide them with an incentive and method to do so easily (through an agent). Some plans provide better incentives than others.When Philadelphia’s Smart A/C Saver program was launched in 2011, it provided participants with a $120 bill credit (Obviously this was too generous, because it was reduced to $40 in the following years). But Smart Savers Texas only provides customers with one year of free electricity, and obviously its terms are not very clear.

But sometimes, the terms of the plan are a bit too good for customers.New York City Smart air conditioning programThe end of 2020 to provide participants with smart plugs and gift cards, because United Edison said it Not cost-effective. Philadelphia PECO Ended similar shows, There was a 40-dollar bill discount last fall.

Power companies usually work with technology companies that provide equipment to carry out these projects. Smart Savers Texas is managed by a company called EnergyHub and is available through smart thermostats manufactured by Alarm.com, Lux, Google’s Nest, Radio Thermostat, Sensi, Vivint and ecobee.

Google’s Nest even has its own “Rush hour rewardsThe program is available through participating power companies. The rewards vary. For example, in a New York postal code, if you participate in the program, ConEd will provide “up to” $85, while National Grid will only give away a gift card of $25 Some power companies also offer discounts on the smart thermostat itself. Google also seems to want room to extend its peak-hour rewards beyond temperature: Nest’s energy partner leader April said “In the future, your electric car or even your entire home can join.”

Unlike the above-mentioned stereotyped electric bill-conscious dad, these programs are currently opt-in. But if there is anything to learn from the Texas example, then some people don’t realize what they are entering. If you are worried that you might be one of them and you don’t want to be one of them, now is a good time to check with your power company to make sure you are not, especially if you have a smart thermostat.

This is also a good reminder to always check the fine print, especially if you are offered something that doesn’t seem to be in return. There is always a problem.