Retail Supplier Providing Free Smart Thermostat in Piloting New A/C Cycling Program

A retail supplier has launched a new pilot air conditioning cycling program, and is incenting customers to participate by offering a free smart thermostat.

Specifically, IGS Energy is piloting to a select group of customers the IGS Energy MyThermostat Program.

Under the program, IGS Energy will provide the customer with an ecobee Smart Si Thermostat plus professional installation, which are valued at more than $400.

In exchange for this free smart thermostat, the customer agrees to voluntary participation in remote A/C cycling during "Energy Savings Events."

During an Energy Savings Event, IGS Energy will cycle the customer's HVAC system on and off for up to 12 minutes each half-hour. Details about each event, including participation requirements, will be communicated to the customer before the event begins.

IGS Energy states in a terms of service on its website that it will run no more than 10 Energy Savings Events applicable to the customer over the next 12 months.

Under the program, the customer also agrees to receive HVAC monitoring alerts and other relevant messages from IGS Energy and its installation partner(s), as well as to participate in survey feedback and usage analysis for IGS Energy's internal purposes.

IGS Energy stressed that the program is a limited pilot offered to select customers at this time, and would not provide further details regarding the program.

We expect, however, that a major focus of the pilot will be Texas, given the need for REPs to manage their swing load and spot purchases in a $7,000 price cap world.