Often in the summer when the temperatures soar, humidity hits 100%, and all attempts at conserving energy go out the window, we experience what's called a brownout. That's when the stresses and demand on the system result in a drop in voltage, to prevent a true blackout.
What if instead of simply watching the overload on the system during those peak demand days, the utility was able to tinker slightly with the thermostats of people who perhaps aren't at home and don't need the cooler temps? They could send that energy to businesses and stores and then transfer it back when people return home from work.
That's the idea behind Nest Thermostat's partnership with progressive energy providers across the U.S.: to provide an incentive for people to use the smart thermostat so that temps can be slightly adjusted, allowing for the savings of both energy and money.
Working with select energy providers across the country, Nest will be offered at a discounted rate via instant rebates when customers sign up for the new Rush Hour Rewards and Seasonal Savings plans. The Nest currently retails for $250.
The Nest Thermostat, designed by former Apple exec Tony Fadell, learns your habits and preferences and adjusts accordingly using its Auto-Schedule and Auto-Away features. With Rush Hour, the Nest thermostat can help users tweak energy settings to avoid over-taxing the system during those peak energy days.
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