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SmartAC Smart Thermostat Approaches 100,000 Participants and Power Saver Rewards Encourage Energy Conservation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

PG&E's Smart Thermostat and Power Saver Rewards programs aim to reduce energy costs and alleviate strain on California's electric grid during high-demand periods. By allowing adjustments to their air conditioning usage, participants can earn money and help prevent power interruptions. As the summer heat intensifies, PG&E encourages customers to enroll in these energy incentive programs to lower energy bills, support the state's clean energy goals, and relieve stress on the grid.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SmartAC Smart Thermostat program is a voluntary program that rewards customers for being flexible with their air conditioning load during high-demand hours, earning them up to $25 at the end of the season.
  • Participants who enroll with an existing smart thermostat receive $75 when they sign up, or enrollees can receive $120 off a new smart thermostat.
  • Power Saver Rewards, a free program offered by PG&E, rewards participants for temporarily reducing energy use when demand is high, earning $2 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy saved.
  • Last year, PG&E customers received over $55 million in bill credits from the Power Saver Rewards program.
  • Over 1.6 million customers are enrolled in the Power Saver Rewards program, initiated by the California Public Utilities Commission.
  • Customers can disenroll from the Power Saver Rewards program at any time through the program website.
  • PG&E offers various programs to help customers manage their summer energy costs, including the Energy Efficiency Services, Bill Alert, and Home Energy Advisor program.

Statistics:

  • The SmartAC Smart Thermostat program has approached 100,000 participants and is expected to reach this milestone in the coming weeks.
  • PG&E customers who participated in Power Saver Rewards in 2022 earned an average of $35 per event, with over $55 million earned in bill credits.
  • The average customer bill credit for Power Saver Rewards participants in 2022 was $35.
  • Over 1.6 million customers are enrolled in the Power Saver Rewards program, representing a significant portion of PG&E's 16 million customers.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, "SmartAC Smart Thermostat Approaches 100,000 Participants and Power Saver Rewards Encourage Energy Conservation" (Aug. 3, 2023)
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, "Power Saver Rewards FAQs" (n.d.)
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, "Energy Efficiency Services" (n.d.)
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, "Bill Alert" (n.d.)
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, "Home Energy Advisor" (n.d.)
  • California Public Utilities Commission, "Power Saver Rewards" (n.d.)

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