Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project,
and Tucson Electric Power offer incentive programs to help
customers save money, support the grid
PHOENIX, Aug. 31,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona is experiencing record high
temperatures, lasting not just days but weeks, forcing many to
crank up their air conditioners with the unintended effect of
straining the region's electrical grid. This summer and fall,
Arizonans have the opportunity to join demand response programs
that support the grid and receive substantial compensation for
participating, including cash and free or discounted smart
thermostats.
Over 100,000 Arizonans are already receiving incentives from
their utility to participate, and electricity providers are looking
to put even more money back into customers' pockets. Some utilities
are even giving away free smart thermostats, helping customers
participate, save energy, and keep comfortable during the
summer.
Through partnerships with EnergyHub, Arizona Public Service
(APS), Salt River Project (SRP), and Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
customers can learn more about their utility's demand response
programs and easily enroll.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, demand response
programs provide an opportunity for consumers to play a significant
role in ensuring the reliability of the electric grid by allowing
their utility to automatically reduce or shift their electricity
usage during peak periods, in exchange for financial incentives.
APS, SRP, and TEP customers are already making a major contribution
to grid reliability, shifting an average of 276 megawatts on hot
summer days. That's the equivalent of powering more than 45,000
homes.
How do these programs work?
- In August and September, APS and SRP customers who enroll in
their utility demand response program can receive a Google Nest
Thermostat for as low as $0*. TEP
customers can receive a Google Nest Thermostat for as low as
$0* through the end of 2023 (no
demand response enrollment required). The Nest Thermostat is ENERGY
STAR® certified and can be adjusted from anywhere to
stay comfortable in any season.**
- Arizona demand response
programs are simple, and utility customers can always stop
participating in a demand response event at any time by adjusting
their thermostat setpoint.
- Customers sign up through their utility website or within a
participating smart thermostat mobile app and receive an enrollment
credit ($50/device, two or five
device limit depending on the utility program) and an annual
participation credit between $25-$40.
- Practically any smart thermostat is eligible. EnergyHub
integrates with thermostat brands including Alarm.com, Amazon,
Building36, ecobee, Emerson, Google, Lux Products, Resideo, and
more. If customers want to purchase a new smart thermostat,
they can do so directly on their utility's marketplace website and
get the device free or at a deep discount.
- To support the grid during the hot summer months, certain
enrolled smart thermostats might pre-cool a home before an
anticipated period of exceptionally high electricity use, known as
an "event," which typically lasts from 2-3 hours.
- During the event period, customers help reduce demand for
electricity when the program adjusts the set point on their
thermostats up a few degrees.
"These three utilities are stepping up to make it easier than
ever for customers to be part of the solution with easy enrollment,
financial incentives, and discounted or free devices," said
Jessie Guest, Strategic Client
Success Manager at EnergyHub. "Arizona utilities are using this type of
flexibility program to help keep the grid reliable and their
customers comfortable and safe."
A recent opinion piece in the New York
Times sums up the need for demand response, "In situations
like these, which will become more frequent as climate change makes
heat waves longer and more intense, voluntary energy conservation
isn't likely to cut it. What if instead of appealing to
goodwill, utilities just paid people to reduce their power use
during peak hours? It would be cheaper, faster and more effective
than building new power plants."
EnergyHub is an independent subsidiary of
Alarm.com (NASDAQ: ALRM), the leading platform for the
intelligently connected property.
|
*Terms apply. See
utility marketplace website for full details. Google Nest
Thermostat $129.99 MSRP.
|
|
**Remote control and
mobile notifications require working internet and Wi-Fi.
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About EnergyHub
EnergyHub is the leading grid-edge DERMS provider. Utilities
rely on EnergyHub's DERMS platform to manage all distributed energy
resources to serve grid and market objectives. EnergyHub works with
over 60 utilities in North America
to manage more than 1.3 GW of flexible capacity. We empower
utilities and their customers to create a clean, distributed energy
future. For more information, visit www.energyhub.com.
Utility Press Contact Info
Arizona Public Service
Katie Conner
Katie.Conner@aps.com
480-708-1288
Tucson Electric Power
Joseph Barrios
jbarrios@tep.com
520-884-3725
Salt River Project
SRP Media Relations
media@srpnet.com
602-236-2500
EnergyHub
Anne Steinberg, Kitchen Public
Relations
anne@kitchenpr.com
917-817-4850
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SOURCE EnergyHub
