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A Complete Guide to ConnectedSolutions Demand Response

A Complete Guide to ConnectedSolutions Demand Response
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A Complete Guide to ConnectedSolutions Demand Response

Make Your Thermostat Work Smarter With ConnectedSolutions

 

This start-to-finish guide covers all you need to know about Mass Save's smart thermostat demand response program, ConnectedSolutions. 

  • What demand response (DR) is
  • How DR helps save
  • How Mass Save's DR program (ConnectedSolutions) works
  • ConnectedSolutions eligibility requirements
  • Which smart thermostats work with DR and where to get them
  • How to enroll and start saving

 

What is Demand Response & How does it Work?

 

Demand response programs offer customers financial incentives for conserving electricity during periods of peak demand, thus helping to stabilize the electric grid and lowering electricity prices. Much like any industry, electricity is all about supply and demand. When demand is high, power plants must work to increase the electricity supply by using costly generators, thus stressing the grid and increasing prices for consumers. If demand is reduced, there is no need to stress the grid, increase the supply, or increase prices.

Take a hot summer day as an example. Imagine everyone coming home between 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. and cranking their ACs to cool their homes. This causes a peak demand event that can be reduced by a smart thermostat DR program.  Those who are enrolled automatically receive a signal to their thermostat to precool their home before 5:00 P.M., effortlessly reducing the electric load. On a hot summer day when electricity use is at its highest, a little bit goes a long way in reducing costs! The more people who have a smart thermostat connected, the greater the impact.

 

How Demand Response Helps You Save

 

ConnectedSolutions enrollment incentives

The ConnectedSolutions smart thermostat DR program helps save in many ways:

 

  • Supports energy reduction and grid stabilization, helping to reduce associated pollution and long-term costs
  • Helps keep electricity prices stable during peak demand
  • Savings and incentives for enrolling and participating!

 

Whether you are a homeowner or renter, earn a $25 enrollment incentive and a $20 annual incentive for every thermostat connected to a central air conditioner.

 

 

How Mass Save's ConnectedSolutions DR Program Works

 

Connecting qualified thermostats to the ConnectedSolutions program enables your Mass Save electricity provider to make small adjustments to your energy use during times of peak demand, while rewarding you for helping reduce demand on the electric grid on hot summer days when electricity use is at its highest.

The sponsors of Mass Save have made it easy for you to conserve energy at these peak times— and earn incentives for doing your part. If you enroll your thermostat in ConnectedSolutions, your Mass Save sponsor will automatically send a signal to your thermostat to precool your home before a peak demand event, and then increase your thermostat setting by no more than 4 °F during peak demand.

All events will occur between 2:00 -7:00 p.m. on non-holiday weekdays between June 1 and September 30. There are typically about 15 peak events every summer, and each event lasts 3 hours.

You will maintain control of your thermostat and you can opt out of a peak event at any time by changing your thermostat setting. You can opt out of most or even all peak events. However, we may unenroll you from the program for the following year if the program is not a good fit for you.

 

ConnectedSolutions Eligibility Requirements

 

ConnectedSolutions is available to residential electric customers of Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, and Cape Light Compact.

To participate in the ConnectedSolutions program, your thermostat MUST be connected to a central air conditioner, defined as:

  • An air conditioner that cools the entirety (or at least the majority) of your home (includes both ducted and ductless systems)
  • Window air conditioners are not central air conditioners
  • Heating systems that do not cool are not central air conditioners.

 

 

Which Smart Thermostats work with DR & Where to get Them

Eligible tstats

There are many options for purchasing a smart, Wi-Fi thermostat that is supported by the DR program.

  • Through the Mass Save website
    (Shop smart thermostats now!)
  • If eligible, through a Mass Save energy assessment
  • At a local or online retailer

 

The following brands are supported:

 

 

 

How to Enroll & Start Saving

 

Enrolling is simple. If you already own an eligible thermostat you may have received a notification from your thermostat manufacturer asking you to enroll. You can also enroll by following these steps:

  1. Click on your electricity provider below
  2. Check a few boxes to confirm your eligibility
  3. Enter some info about your smart thermostat
  4. Follow the instructions to complete enrollment

eversource logo

 

national grid logo
unitil logo cape light logo
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