Energy Rush Hours are like traffic rush hours. Just as traffic clogs up roads when everyone drives to work at the same time, Energy Rush Hours occur when everyone in a particular area turns on air conditioning (AC) or heating at once. Imagine what can happen when millions of people turn on their air conditioners during a heat wave. This, in addition to all the usual energy use in households (running the refrigerator, the TV, lights, computers etc.) creates a peak in energy demand and increases costs.
To keep up with demand, utilities may need to bring additional power plants online. It’s expensive to run these power plants only for a few hours on a few days a year, so peak demand increases everybody’s costs.
There’s a better way. If enough people band together to reduce energy during these peaks they can become a virtual power plant. This lowers costs for energy companies and they’re willing to reward you for it.
| We originally created the Rush Hour Rewards program to help alleviate electricity demands during heat waves in the summer. Because it was so successful, we’ve expanded Rush Hour Rewards to work for natural gas as well as the winter season, so more people can get rewards. Now Nest thermostat owners can participate in Winter Rush Hour Rewards and Summer Rush Hour Rewards to earn rewards from their energy company year round. Winter and Summer Rush Hour Rewards are separate programs, so some energy companies will offer both, while others may offer only one. |
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