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Rebates and Peak Rewards

Rebates and Peak Rewards

ED3 Expands Rebates and Peak Rewards, Promoting Smart Thermostats for Energy Savings

Electrical District No. 3 (ED3) is doubling down on its dedication to energy efficiency by introducing new rebates and highlighting smart thermostat technology under its Commitment to Community program for 2024. The program empowers customers to reduce their energy footprint and save money by making sustainable upgrades more affordable for homeowners.

ED3 is now offering rebates for a wide range of energy-saving home upgrades, including air duct repairs, insulation installation, and Energy Star certified appliances such as washers and dryers. Customers can also receive rebates for electric vehicle chargers, heat pump water heaters, HVAC replacements, induction cooktops/stoves, smart thermostats, shade trees and solar shade screens.

As summer temperatures approach, ED3 is particularly emphasizing the potential benefits of smart thermostats for reducing energy consumption and costs. While the rebates help reduce the upfront costs, the long-term savings from using a smart thermostat to optimize heating and cooling can be substantially more.

Through automatic temperature adjustments, schedule programming, and system monitoring smart thermostats have the potential to reduce your energy bills and make your home eco-friendlier. Smart thermostats deliver energy savings based on actual field data. With their combination of cost savings and tech convenience, smart thermostats are an increasingly popular option for home energy management. While designs may vary, most smart thermostats come packed with convenience, control, and insight features.

Convenience at Your Fingertips

One of the major benefits of smart thermostats is sheer convenience. Many models can learn your temperature preferences and establish an automated schedule that adjusts to energy-saving temps when you're away or asleep. Some thermostats even use geofencing technology to detect when you're heading home and adjust temperatures accordingly.

Remote Control Capabilities

These innovative Wi-Fi enabled devices can automatically adjust heating and cooling temperatures for optimal energy performance. In addition to automated scheduling, smart thermostats allow you to control your home's heating and cooling remotely through your smartphone. ENERGY STAR models also go into low-power standby mode when inactive to reduce energy waste.

Insights to Optimize Efficiency

To help maximize efficiency, smart thermostats provide data tracking that lets you monitor equipment usage and temperature levels. And with periodic software updates, your thermostat can keep using the latest energy-saving algorithms and features.

What to Consider Before Buying a Smart Thermostat

Compatibility, price, installation, connectivity, and additional features are all factors to consider when selecting a smart thermostat for your home.

Compatibility

Ensure the model you choose is compatible with your home's HVAC system. Smart thermostats work with most forced air systems installed after 1975, but may need adapters for boilers, multi-zone setups, etc. Check your system type, wiring/voltage, and whether you have a C-wire for constant power.

Price

Prices range from $50 to $300+ depending on features. Check for ED3 rebates to save.

Installation

Some self-installation is possible, but you may want a professional HVAC technician, especially for complex systems. Smart thermostat manufacturers often provide installation support.

Connectivity

Position the thermostat near your home's Wi-Fi router or use a range extender if needed for consistent connectivity.

Other Smart Features

When comparing models, look for intelligent learning, geofencing, sensors for hot/cold spots, voice integration, and automatic updates to maximize comfort and savings.

Why Choose an ENERGY STAR Certified Model?

While all smart thermostats let you set desired temperatures from your smart devices, only those with the ENERGY STAR label provide verified energy savings, cost savings, and environmental benefits. ENERGY STAR certified models allow you to remotely control temperatures like other smart thermostats but have also been independently certified for optimal energy performance.

Saving Energy Protects the Environment

In addition to saving money on energy bills, using an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. According to the experts at Energy Star, if everyone adopted an ENERGY STAR smart thermostat in their homes, the projected annual savings in the United States would be a staggering:

  • 56 trillion BTUs of energy
  • $740 million on utility costs
  • 13 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions prevented.

By considering your home's factors and which advanced features fit your lifestyle, you can select the perfect smart thermostat for your energy efficiency goals. Making this home improvement upgrade will cut energy costs and reduce environmental impact. Qualifying smart thermostat brands eligible for rebates include Google Nest, Honeywell, and Ecobee models. ED3 is offering up to $100 in rebates for up to two smart thermostats per household (up to $50 per each smart thermostat). Rebate applications, terms, and full details on eligible products are available on the utility's website at ed3online.org.

Save Energy and Money with Peak Rewards Smart Thermostat Program

Once you have purchased and installed a smart thermostat you are eligible to enroll in ED3’s new Peak Rewards program. The demand response program provides an opportunity for customers to play a role in the operation of the electric grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods. Response programs lower energy consumption, cut carbon emissions, and safeguard the grid during times of peak energy use.

How It Works

The Peak Rewards program utilizes enrolled smart thermostats to reduce energy consumption during "peak events". The programs summer season runs from May through October. During these events, which typically occur on hot afternoons and evenings when energy usage spikes, the utility will make slight 2-3 degree temperature adjustments to enrolled smart thermostats to curb electricity demand.

Around 15-20 peak events are expected each season, occurring on non-holiday weekdays between 9am-9pm. Customers always have the ability to opt-out of individual events or the entire program.

Program benefits participants receive a $25 one-time enrollment incentive after registering their compatible smart thermostat. They also earn a $25 yearly participation credit to their account.

Smart Thermostat Eligibility

Google Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell Home, and certain Honeywell TCC smart thermostats are eligible for the program. Customers must have an Electrical District No. 3 residential or small non-residential account in good standing, a compatible smart thermostat, smart meter, and working HVAC system installed.

How to Sign Up to Enroll

Find your smart thermostat brand below and follow the link to apply for Peak Rewards. 

Combining Rebates and Peak Rewards

The Peak Rewards program offers a compelling value proposition for Electrical District No. 3 customers seeking to embrace energy efficiency and sustainability. By combining attractive rebates for smart thermostat purchases with lucrative participation incentives, the initiative renders this home upgrade more financially accessible than ever before. Crucially, the program aligns economic benefits with environmental stewardship - enabling customers to curb energy costs while concomitantly supporting grid resilience and mitigating carbon emissions during summer's peak demand. With timely implementation ahead of the warmest months, customers can seamlessly adopt this program and reap its multifaceted advantages. An embodiment of a mutually beneficial endeavor, Peak Rewards epitomizes the harmonization of utility interests with residential priorities for affordability and eco-consciousness.


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