Smart Energy Rewards

Smart Energy Rewards is how Community Power customers can temporarily reduce or shift electricity use when demand is high. While there are several programs that do this, Smart Energy Rewards is only for Community Power customers. Participants may only be enrolled in one demand response program.

For smart thermostats: During warmer days, Community Power may adjust the thermostat to precool the home before a Smart Flex Event begins.

For heat pump water heaters: Smart Home Flex works differently and is coordinated with the TECH Clean California statewide initiative.

If you’re installing a new heat pump water heater through TECH Clean California, you are required to enroll in a water heater rewards program, like Smart Energy Rewards, and a demand response program like OhmConnect.

By enrolling an eligible smart thermostat, you allow Community Power to temporarily adjust its temperature settings during a Smart Flex Event, when electricity demand is high, and the grid is under strain.

Smart Flex Events can be called between June 1 and October 31 for up to four hours between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Up to five events can be called per week. Smart Flex Events will not be called during weekends or Federal holidays unless State officials declare a grid emergency.

During these events, your thermostat receives a signal to raise the temperature and reduce the use of your air conditioning. Depending on the weather, Community Power may signal your thermostat to precool your home up to one hour before the event begins.

You always keep control of your thermostat, but frequent overrides may affect eligibility for participation incentives.

Smart Energy Rewards is available to Community Power residential customers with an eligible smart thermostat or heat pump water heater. Applicants must be the account holder or an authorized user.

Smart Thermostats must:

• Be connected to air conditioning.
• Be on the list of eligible models.
• Not be enrolled in another demand response program, such as the Emergency Load Relief Program or Demand Side Grid Support.

Heat pump water heaters must:

• Be new and in the process of being installed through TECH Clean California at their service address.
• Have a thermostatic mixing valve.

Customers who previously opted out of Community Power must first return to Community Power before applying. Customers who opted out 60 or more days after their original Community Power start date may be unable to immediately return.

Yes, you can opt out of a Smart Flex Event at any time. Since Smart Flex Events are called when electricity demand and costs are high, we encourage you not to opt out. Opting out too many times may jeopardize your participation incentive.

Community Power offers incentives for approved smart thermostats and connected heat pump water heaters that remain enrolled and participate.

Smart Thermostats

• Enrollment incentive: $50 per smart thermostat, issued after successful enrollment and connection to Community Power.
• Participation incentive: $25 per thermostat each year for continued participation in Smart Flex Events. Participation incentives are typically issued annually in November.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Enrollment incentive: $50 per connected water heater, issued after successful enrollment and connection to Community Power.
• Participation incentive: $5 per month, up to $60 per year, for continued participation. Participation incentives are issued twice a year, typically in July and November.

If you unenroll from Smart Energy Rewards, you will no longer be eligible for ongoing participation incentives.

Contact Community Power by emailing us at SmartEnergyRewards@SDCommunityPower.org or calling 888-382-0169 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Smart Energy Rewards by San Diego Community Power is a pilot program that allows Community Power to adjust the settings of smart thermostats or connected water heaters to reduce energy use when energy demand is high.

These adjustments reduce strain on the energy grid and may help lower your energy bill while keeping your home comfortable and supplied with hot water.