Rob Lanterman has looked for ways to conserve energy at his Tucson home since moving here from Colorado four years ago.
When he found out about an easy way to save that also relieves the strain on our local energy grid, Lanterman signed up. It’s been hassle free, he said.
Lanterman is one of many TEP customers who benefits from our Smart Rewards Program. Participants agree to let their smart thermostat make small, temporary adjustments to their home’s temperature a few times each year. The adjustments reduce energy demand during peak usage periods, typically during the hottest times in the summer.
As a reward, participants receive a $50 virtual prepaid MasterCard per thermostat, plus another $40 per thermostat if they stay enrolled for the coming season. Customers can receive incentives for up to two thermostats and can enroll as many devices as they’d like. Customers remain in control of their thermostats; if they don’t want to participate in a conservation event, they can simply change the temperature setting to opt out.
Lanterman said the virtual prepaid debit card was “certainly an attraction” when he signed up. “It’s always nice to get a little bit of money,” he said, adding that he likely used the money to treat himself to some favorite snacks.
Already energy conscious, Lanterman and his wife, Amy, installed solar panels on their three-bedroom, eastside home. Two smart thermostats – a Nest and an ecobee – help the couple regulate different sides of the one-story home that they share with a dog, Betty, and cat, Gus.
Last year, TEP called six “conservation events” in which customers’ thermostats were adjusted. The energy savings from last year’s events were impressive. During those occasions, more than 13,000 customers participated, saving enough energy to power the equivalent of 7,700 homes.
The adjustments barely bothered Lanterman. He received advance notifications and, when he considered changing the temperature, his thermostat indicated that an adjustment was underway. Lanterman left the thermostat alone and didn’t mind the slight temperature increase.
“It hasn’t been a problem at all. The variance that they are asking for is not much,” Lanterman said.
Overall, Lanterman recommends Smart Rewards to other customers as an easy way to help.
“I’ve been very happy. It’s nice that this program exists,” he said.
TEP is looking for more participants to join Smart Rewards this summer. Enroll now to get your $50 virtual prepaid Mastercard. Watch a video and learn more about how Smart Rewards work. Don’t have a smart thermostat? Buy one with instant savings on the TEP Marketplace and enroll at the same time.
Read a story and see a video about other Smart Rewards customers and the impressive results.
