Smart Thermostat Program – Upfront Rewards

On certain days when energy use is high, we will call a Peak Time Event.

• Your thermostat will automatically pre-heat or pre-cool your home before the event, when demand for energy use is lower.

• Then during the event, your smart, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat will adjust by 1 to 3 degrees from your original settings. Events can last 1 to 4 hours.

• After the event, your thermostat will automatically return to its original setting. It’s that easy!

There are typically 8 to 9 Peak Time Events each summer and 5 to 6 winter, with a maximum of 15 per season. Each event lasts between one and four hours, and we don’t currently schedule events on the weekends or holidays. Here are the seasons:

• Winter season runs Dec. 1 through Feb. 28. Events are between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.

• Summer season runs June 1 through Sept. 30. Events are between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.

No, you don’t need to do anything at all! Just let your thermostat do its thing and make sure no one in your home overrides the settings. Once the event is over, the thermostat will return to its regular settings.

You will receive an email from PGE making sure you're aware the event is happening. You'll also see notifications on your thermostat or smartphone app before and during an event. Here are some examples:

ecobee

Emerson

Honeywell

Google Nest

Pre-cooling/pre-heating your home is an easy way to shift energy use before energy demand is high. This way you’re comfortable when your thermostat adjusts a few degrees during the Peak Time Event. The best part, you don’t have to do a thing!

1. An hour before a Peak Time Event, your thermostat pre-heats or pre-cools your home — depending on the season. This is done for your comfort and when demand for energy is lower.

2. During the event, when energy demand is high, your thermostat automatically adjusts by 1 to 3 degrees from your regular setting. This is done to reduce strain on the grid and earns you some sweet rewards!

3. And just like that, at the end of the Peak Time Event, your thermostat automatically adjusts back to its regular setting.

Here’s an example: it’s summer and your thermostat is set to 70 degrees:

• An hour before the event, your thermostat lowers by 2 degrees (68 degrees) to pre-cool your home.

• When the event starts, your thermostat then adjusts 1-3 degrees above your regular setting (71-73 degrees).

• After the event, it goes back to your original setting of 70 degrees.

You’re always in control and can change your thermostat setting at any time. Just adjust your thermostat during the event and follow the prompts to stop participating. To earn your program rewards, make sure to participate in at least 50% of the event hours during summer and winter. For tips on staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter, check out our seasonal energy saving tips.

• If you enroll with a thermostat you already own, you will receive a $25 bill credit for enrolling (after we screen for eligibility) and a $25 credit for each season you participate in 50% or more of the event hours for which you were eligible.

• If you enroll through the PGE Marketplace, you receive a $25 rebate on the purchase of your thermostat. You will also receive a $25 credit for each season you participate in 50% or more of the event hours for which you were eligible.

• If you received a free or discounted thermostat installed in your home by PGE, you already received your reward and are not eligible for seasonal participation rewards.

You can save on your bill when you join the program and participate. Also, when everyone shifts their energy use at peak times it adds up to make a big difference. It's a community approach to using more sustainable energy resources, helping to keep energy reliable and supporting Oregon's clean energy future.

No, but we do like your enthusiasm! Since both programs reward you for shifting your energy use at the same peak times, you can only be enrolled in one program at a time. However, if you're currently enrolled in Peak Time Rebates and qualify for the Smart Thermostat program, you can always change programs. When you do, we will automatically unenroll you from Peak Time Rebates - once your enrolled in the Smart Thermostat program.