frontpage Posted by PurpleFruit402 • Apr 12, 2023
Apr 12, 2023 4:30 PM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
frontpage Posted by PurpleFruit402 • Apr 12, 2023
Apr 12, 2023 4:30 PM
Select Utility Companies: Google Nest Thermostat
(Active Account Required)from $0
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Here is a previous similar thread for reference: https://slickdeals.net/f/15956818-select-utility-companies-google-nest-thermostat-from-free-active-account-required?p=1567
First Comment:
"First - no, the utilities are generally not "controlling" your thermostat. The situation these commenters are referring to is called demand response (DR). Where the utilities will pay their consumers to shift or reduce their demand during times of grid strain to reduce the likelihood of brown or blackouts. For this to happen you need to enroll in the DR program itself, you'll know if you're doing this. Utilities can't just enroll you without your notice.
Second - even if you are in one of these DR programs, you absolutely always have final control over your thermostat and temperature setting. You ALWAYS have the option to opt-out of DR events and keep your thermostat or AC humming along at whatever temperature you want. Yes, if you're enrolled in one of these DR programs and you opt-out, your electric bill may be higher. But that's the whole point. If the utility is offering free or heavily discounted stuff (like a thermostat) and ongoing revenue to participate in a DR program, but you opt-out of actually participating? It hurts the utility (and the rest of the grid for that matter), who was expecting you to provide relief so there is some financial incentives there.
I'm just tried of people sensationalizing this stuff. Geeze.
My experience here is as someone who helps implement some of these types of programs for a few utilities around the country. I predominately work with commercial and industrial customers but interact with the residential side of things as well."
Second Comment:
"You're energy usage is the product. Utilities offer rebates for these types of products (just like LED lights or insulation) because they can save energy. Most utilities in the United States are decoupled from their revenue. Meaning that the utility receives the same revenue regardless of the energy they delivery. So it's in their best interest to help you save energy. You as their utility consumer using less energy = the utility having to delivery less energy or build more energy infrastructure. That's the entire point here.
It's not about data mining for the utility. They don't get that visibility with any demand response programs. Does google for their nest product? Sure, but that's different than what other folks have being talking about here as google isn't offering the rebate. It's about the utility having an incentive to encourage you to use less energy, that's why they offer rebates and discounts on these things."
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