Smart thermostat technology has existed since the early 2000s and is one of the most universally recognized smart technologies on the market. A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that allows you to control your home’s central heating and cooling virtually through an app. They use sensors and data to track your usage patterns and learn about your routine and temperature preferences over time, automatically adjusting when heating and air conditioning run. Smart thermostats can help lower your energy bills and avoid unnecessary energy use when you’re asleep or away from home. It also enables you to have complete control over your thermostat, even when you are away from home, giving you peace of mind.

If you already have a smart thermostat—or are thinking about getting one—ConnectedSolutions is one of the simplest ways to turn that investment into rewards. In this guide, we will walk you through what ConnectedSolutions is, who it is for, and how to enroll your thermostat step-by-step so you can start earning incentives this summer. Note that this blog will focus on smart thermostats, but ConnectedSolutions also has a battery program, which you can learn more about here.

What is ConnectedSolutions?

When energy consumption is highest—typically during the hottest days of the year—the electric grid becomes stressed. This is referred to as ‘peak demand,’ which leads to higher energy bills and worse pollution as utilities are forced to turn to dirtier and costly fossil fuel plants to keep up with the energy demand during that period. To address this, Eversource and National Grid launched ConnectedSolutions—a demand response program to help reduce strain on the electric grid during peak hours by coordinating across thousands of household devices to reduce energy consumption. When the utility calls an event in response to peak demand hours, this is referred to as a ‘peak event’. This program allows customers to collectively participate in reducing energy demand on the grid through a “Bring Your Own Device” model, all while earning incentives for their participation.

Here’s the basic idea:

Once you enroll in the program, you will receive a $50 enrollment bonus (or $100 for income-eligible customers) within 4-6 weeks after your acceptance. When a ‘peak event’ occurs, your utility sends a signal to all participating Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats to make small adjustments to the temperature of your home for a few hours. You will receive a notification prior to the event either via your thermostat app, email, or on the device itself, depending on your device manufacturer. This small increase in temperature (approximately 3-4 degrees) across many homes decreases energy demand on the grid during times when others are using more energy. In Massachusetts, these events typically take place in the late afternoon and evenings during the summer months (June through September) and last about 3 to 4 hours. You can opt out of any of these events at any point by adjusting your thermostat with no penalty. Then you receive your $20 reward for participating residential customers or $200 for small business customers during the fall following the end of the season.*

*Note that if you enroll after August 15th, you will not be eligible to receive the seasonal participation incentive for that year. You will still receive the enrollment bonus for the first time you enroll.

How to Enroll Your Smart Thermostat

To participate in ConnectedSolutions, you will need to meet their eligibility requirements, which are:

1. Be a customer of one of the following utilities with ConnectedSolutions program (National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, or Cape Light Compact).

2. Have a smart thermostat connected to a centralized cooling system. See the Mass Save ConnectedSolutions program page or your utility’s ConnectedSolutions program page for more details on eligible thermostats.

Enrollment in the program is done directly through your smart thermostat manufacturer, not the utility company, and most communication about an event is also done through your manufacturer. Eligible smart thermostats include ecobee, Sensi, Honeywell Lyric and TCC, Lux, Google Nest, Vivint, and more. For a full list of eligible thermostats, check out the National Grid or Eversource program site, depending on your utility.

No Smart Thermostat? No problem!

If you don’t have a smart thermostat yet, the good news is that installing a smart thermostat is often very straightforward. There are several incentives that can help reduce the upfront costs and support you through the installation process. The Mass Save marketplace provides a list of ENERGYSTAR-certified smart thermostats and their eligible rebates, so you can get the best price possible. In addition, Mass Save offers an instant rebate of up to $100 if you purchase a smart thermostat from the Mass Save marketplace.

Smart thermostats on their own don't necessarily require a home to have central heating and cooling (the ConnectedSolutions program does require central cooling), but they do need to be connected to a heating or cooling system that is controlled by a thermostat (i.e. not a window AC unit).* Whether a system is compatible with a smart thermostat is dependent on a few factors, including:

• Voltage: Most smart thermostats support 24V systems but not high-voltage or millivolt systems.

• Correct wiring: A C-wire (common wire) is often required for proper connection between the heating/cooling system and the smart thermostat. Some smart thermostats come with adapters, or adapters can be purchased separately.

• System type: Features like multi-stage heating/cooling, heat pumps, or dual-fuel setups may require specific models and/or professional installation.

If you are unsure whether your system is compatible with your HVAC system, Mass Save offers free virtual or in-person Home Energy Assessments. During the assessment, a professional Energy Specialist will be able to recommend energy-saving opportunities for your home, including whether your home is compatible for a smart thermostat* upgrade.

*Note that ConnectedSolutions is only compatible with qualifying smart thermostats that are connected to a central cooling system and is not yet available for heating systems.

For more information on smart thermostats and ConnectedSolutions: SolutionsCenter@masssave.com | 1-866-527-SAVE (7283)

This blog refers specifically to the ConnectedSolutions program offered by Massachusetts utilities Eversource and National Grid. Program eligibility, incentives, and participating utilities vary by state and utility territory. Other utilities in New England, including Rhode Island Energy, may offer ConnectedSolutions programs with different requirements and benefits.