Steven Shimmin can take the heat. During a career that took him to Southeast Asia and other warm climates, he always returned to Tucson and has settled here for retirement.
So, Shimmin doesn’t mind when TEP makes temporary adjustments to his thermostat. By allowing his home to get a couple degrees warmer during periods of peak energy usage, he’s helping to relieve potential strain on our local energy grid and earning benefits through the TEP Smart Rewards program.
Program participants receive a $50 gift card and additional incentives to allow temporary adjustments. Customers retain control of their thermostats and can easily opt out at any time.
Last year, more than 22,000 devices were enrolled across 18,000 homes in Smart Rewards. Ten events were held in which thermostats were adjusted, resulting in 33.7 megawatts of energy savings.
Shimmin said he learned about Smart Rewards about two and a half years ago through a mailer or social media post. When he signed up, then received a free smart thermostat and installation. “It’s been smooth sailing,” Shimmin said. “I think I did it at first for the $50 gift card, and now I do it to help the community.”
Shimmin shares a three-bedroom, single-story house near “A” Mountain with his daughter and his 6-year-old grandson, Theo. His daughter, Brittany, is often at nursing school while her son is at kindergarten.
He tends to keep his thermostat set high, like 80 degrees. Shimmin doesn’t typically alter the temperatures during the thermostat events, but sometimes his daughter finds it too hot and they tweak the temperature.
“It’s worked out really well and it keeps the house cool enough,” Shimmin said. “It’s nice TEP rewards us with the gift card every year.”
