Power Partner℠ Thermostats

Enjoy two ways to save with an eligible smart thermostat.

Already Have a Smart Thermostat?

Homeowners and renters can earn a $50 bill credit for each eligible thermostat enrolled in the Power Partner program, plus $25 annually for each thermostat that remains enrolled. Power Partner participants who enrolled before June 1, 2023 and remain active will also be eligible to receive $25 annual incentives.

Starting in the fall, customers will receive their annual incentives within 1-2 billing cycles of the same month in which each eligible thermostat was enrolled. For example, if you enroll your thermostat in June 2023, you will receive your annual $25 incentive between June and July 2024.

As a Power Partner participant, you agree to let Austin Energy adjust your thermostat on a handful of high energy use days.

As a Power Partner, you can:

• Save money on your energy bills by using less energy
• Lower the cost of electricity in our community
• Enhance power grid reliability during times of high energy use
• Reduce your carbon footprint

Power Partner events occur on days when electricity is in high demand or when there is an emergency. On these days, Austin Energy will initiate Power Partner events that briefly adjust your thermostat settings by 2 to 4 degrees to help manage high energy use throughout the community.

As a Power Partner, your participation in these events can increase your energy savings without significantly impacting comfort.

Most Power Partner community energy events will:

• Occur for two hours between 3:00–6:00 p.m. during the summer (June 1–Sept. 30). During extreme weather circumstances, Austin Energy may conduct events outside of these windows.
• Adjust your thermostat by 2 to 4 degrees, which may include pre-cooling or pre-heating prior to an event to help prolong your initial comfort level. Pre-cooling and pre-heating adjust your existing thermostat setting by 2 degrees, up to 30 minutes beforehand.
• Occur on non-holiday weekdays. During extreme weather circumstances, Austin Energy may conduct events on holidays and weekends.
• Occur no more than three times per week and no more than 25 times during the year. During extreme weather circumstances, Austin Energy may conduct events up to five times per week.

You can override Power Partner events at any time by simply adjusting the temperature at your thermostat or on the thermostat app. Customers who wish to permanently discontinue their participation in Power Partner events may do so by submitting a Power Partner Opt Out request.

Note: We do not recommend participating in this offering if someone in your home or office is experiencing serious health problems.

Learn more about the Power Partner Program

Thinking of Buying a Smart Thermostat?

Austin Energy customers qualify for a $30 rebate for each new eligible, smart thermostat installed at home. Read the Eligibility tab for details.

Once you install the new thermostat, consider becoming a Power Partner. You will get a $50 bill credit for each smart thermostat you enroll plus an additional $25 annually for each thermostat that remains enrolled in the program. 

Eligibility and Enrollment

To enroll as a Power Partner and qualify for the $50 bill credit, find your eligible thermostat manufacturer and model in the Eligibility tab and click the How to Enroll link.

If purchased within the last 90 days, these devices are also eligible for a separate $30 rebate after purchase and installation.

Austin Energy will provide:

• A $50 bill credit for each eligible thermostat you enroll in the Power Partner program (see Eligibility tab for more details). The credit will appear as an “Adjustment” line item within 1-2 billing cycles after approval.
• An additional $25 annual bill credit for each eligible thermostat that remains enrolled in the Power Partner program.
  • Starting in the fall of 2023, customers will receive their annual incentives within 1-2 billing cycles of the same month in which each eligible thermostat was enrolled. For example, if you enroll your thermostat in June 2023, you will receive your annual $25 incentive between June and July 2024.
• A $30 rebate for Austin Energy customers who buy and install eligible thermostats. Apply online

Prerequisites

• You must have an eligible thermostat.
• You must be an Austin Energy customer with a unique account number. Co-op and master-metered accounts are not eligible at this time.
• Simply replacing an already enrolled smart thermostat with a new smart thermostat in the same household is not eligible for an additional incentive.

Requirements

• You must agree to a post-installation inspection by Austin Energy, if necessary.
• Existing equipment must be connected and operational.
• You must have a standard air conditioning system (split system, package unit, or heat pump).
• The heater component may be gas or electric.
• Your air conditioning equipment must be in good mechanical condition and controlled by an approved, communicating thermostat device.
• Homeowners and renters are eligible to receive the Power Partner program participation bill credit. Homeowners and renters may also receive the purchase and installation rebate if they purchased and installed the thermostat.
• Landlords are only eligible for the purchase and installation rebate and are not eligible to receive the Power Partner program bill credit.
• Applicants are limited to five (5) thermostats.
• You must use an eligible thermostat from the list below.

Eligible Thermostats

†Select thermostats must be installed by a third-party installer as part of an alarm system package.