If you heat and/or cool your home with PSE electricity, you may be eligible to join Flex Smart by enrolling a compatible thermostat. Sign up now to get up to $50 per device.
Compatible thermostats:
Smart thermostats: Get $50 per device for enrolling and up to $40 per device for each year you stay enrolled.
Line-voltage connected thermostats: Get $20 per device for enrolling and $10 per device for each year you stay enrolled
Enroll today
Don’t have a compatible thermostat? Buy one on the PSE Marketplace and get a $50 rebate instantly at checkout or join Flex Rewards!
What happens after I enroll?
Once you enroll, PSE will occasionally adjust your energy usage during periods when demand is at its highest, or “Flex events.” For example, a Flex event might occur on a day with weather hotter or colder than normal, when we tend to use more energy to heat and cool our homes. This allows us to work together to prevent spikes in demand, ensuring reliable energy for all.
Flex Smart
What is Flex Smart?
Flex Smart is a voluntary program that uses smart technology to smooth out the demand for energy when it’s at its highest, helping us meet our region’s growing energy needs.
Do I qualify for Flex Smart?
Flex Smart is available to all PSE residential customers who have an AMI meter, whose home heating or cooling is provided by PSE electricity, and who have qualifying equipment. Customers who heat their home with PSE natural gas and do not cool with PSE electricity do not qualify for Flex Smart.
Can I participate in both Time-of-Use and Flex Smart?
If you are currently enrolled in PSE’s Time-of-Use (TOU) with Peak Time Rebate rate plan (Sch. 317), you are not eligible to enroll in Flex Smart unless you first unenroll from the TOU pilot program through your myPSE account. However, customers who are currently enrolled in a standalone TOU rate plan (Sch. 307 or Sch. 327) are eligible to simultaneously enroll in both Flex and TOU.
What if my thermostat doesn’t qualify?
If you don’t have a qualifying thermostat, you can purchase one at the PSE Marketplace and receive a $75 rebate instantly at checkout or check out Flex Rewards!
How much money do I get for participating in Flex Smart?
Your rewards depend on the type of thermostat(s) you enroll and how long you stay enrolled.
Smart thermostat participants get $50 per device for enrolling, plus $20 per device for each season (winter and summer) you stay enrolled.
Line-voltage connected thermostat participants get $20 per device for enrolling, plus $10 per device for each season (winter) you stay enrolled.
Can I participate in both Flex Smart and Flex Rewards?
No, you can only participate in either Flex Smart or Flex Rewards.
How do I enter to win the $250 gift card?
Participants who enroll in Flex Smart or Flex Rewards are automatically entered to win one of two $250 gift cards. Giveaways will be drawn each month during the summer season (May 1 through September) and winter season (November through March).
How is Flex Smart administered and where can I receive support?
Flex Smart is administered on behalf of PSE by AutoGrid, overseeing program implementation, payment processing, and customer support. Enrolled customers can manage their accounts through the FlexSaver portal provided by AutoGrid. For the fastest assistance, you can contact AutoGrid's customer support directly at flex@ngskmc-eis.net or by calling 1-888-292-0502.
What is an AMI meter?
Enrollment in Flex Smart requires that your home be equipped with AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), the current standard for metering technology that facilitates two-way communication between meters and PSE. As part of PSE’s Meter Upgrade Project, nearly 2 million meters in our service area were upgraded to AMI between 2018 and 2023. For more information, please visit the Meter Upgrade Project.
Why does my thermostat pre-heat or pre-cool before the Flex event?
To maintain your home's comfort during a Flex event, your thermostat may pre-heat (temperature setting is increased) or pre-cool (temperature setting is decreased) your home prior to a Flex event. Although this process may seem unusual, it shifts energy use before demand is high this way you are comfortable when your thermostat is adjusted during a Flex event.
Flex events
What is a Flex event and why does it occur?
Our experts can predict periods with heightened demand for electricity based on a range of different criteria, which we call “Flex events.” For example, a Flex event might occur on a day with weather hotter or colder than normal, when we tend to use more energy to heat and cool our homes. With collective action from the community, we can prevent spikes in energy usage that strain the grid and ensure there is enough energy to go around.
What happens during a Flex event?
If you’re enrolled in Flex Smart, we’ll adjust the temperature set point of your home heating or cooling system by a few degrees for a few hours during the Flex event. We may also adjust your temperature set point ahead of an event. Data shows that most customers do not experience a change in comfort during Flex events and you’ll be helping to create a more energy-efficient and resilient electrical system in your community.
Can I adjust my thermostat during flex events? What if I am not comfortable with the temperature adjustment?
Yes, you can always opt out before or during a Flex event by manually adjusting your thermostat. You are always in control of the comfort of your home, and the Flex Smart program will never lock thermostats.
When could a Flex event occur and how often?
Flex events will only occur during the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will never take place on holidays (see list below) or weekends. Winter events can occur from Nov. 1 to March 31 and starting in 2024, summer events can occur from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Holidays:
- New Years
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
Do I have to reduce my energy usage during Flex events?
No, reducing energy usage during Flex events is 100% voluntary for customers. There is no requirement to participate.
How will PSE adjust my thermostat during the Flex event?
Your smart thermostat will automatically adjust by a few degrees for a maximum of 4 hours, depending on model of thermostat. Once the event is over, your thermostat will default to its regular settings. Some thermostats come with the option for you to choose the exact temperature adjustments in the app. Depending on your preference settings and the information provided during enrollment, you may also get an email from us notifying you of an upcoming Flex event.
Will PSE shut off my power during Flex events?
No, PSE will not disconnect customers' power in response to increased demand. However, it is possible that a power outage might coincide with a Flex event due to circumstances such as inclement weather. For customers in the Flex Smart program, PSE is only authorized to auto-adjust their smart thermostat or other smart device during Flex events, but participation is always voluntary.
Participation
How do I participate if I live in an apartment or condominium?
If you have a qualifying thermostat, you may enroll in the program as long as your thermostat account is associated with the thermostat(s) in your home. If not, you may qualify for our Flex Rewards program.
How do I participate if I manage an apartment, condominium or other commercial building?
We will have a commercial program launching this fall. To learn more and be put on a notification list when this program becomes available, please reach out to flex@ngskmc-eis.net.
Does my existing thermostat qualify?
If you have a smart or line-voltage connected thermostat, it likely qualifies! The full list is below:
Manufacturer | Device | Reward |
---|---|---|
Google Nest |
|
$50 enrollment reward + $20 for each season (winter and summer) you stay enrolled. |
ecobee |
|
|
Amazon Smart Thermostat |
|
|
Sensi |
|
|
Honeywell Home |
|
|
Mysa |
|
$20 per-device enrollment reward + $10 per-device for each winter you stay enrolled. |
Sinopé | Sinopé Connected Line-voltage Thermostats:
|
I got a $75 smart thermostat rebate from PSE — what happens if I fail to enroll in Flex Smart?
You do not need to enroll in Flex Smart to receive our standard smart thermostat rebate! That is separate from the enrollment reward for participating in Flex Smart.
What if my enrollment for my existing thermostat is declined?
If inaccurate customer or account information is provided during the sign-up process, it can result in a failed enrollment. If this happens, you may be notified by your manufacturer of what went wrong. If you need additional assistance signing up, you can always call our toll-free help line 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-888-292-0502 or email flex@ngskmc-eis.net.
When and how will I receive my enrollment reward?
You will receive your enrollment reward in the form of an e-gift card fulfilled by Tango within 4-6 weeks. For smart thermostats, you will receive an additional reward for each season (winter and summer) that you remain enrolled within 2 weeks of the season’s end. For line-voltage connected thermostats, you will receive an additional reward for each winter you stay enrolled. Winter season goes from Nov. 1 to March 31 and summer season goes from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Can I continue participating in Flex Smart if I move to a new house?
Yes, as long as your new residence meets the program qualifications. To ensure you remain enrolled at your new address, please contact us at 1-888-292-0502.
I just moved into my new home. The previous owner was enrolled in Flex Smart and left their smart thermostat behind. Can I sign up for the program?
Absolutely! You can sign up as a new participant using the left-behind thermostat. Follow the links for "Compatible Thermostats" on the Flex Smart page. Or, call us at 1-888-292-0502, and we will assist you with your program enrollment.
Can I get assistance installing my new smart thermostat?
Yes! You can get assistance installing a smart thermostat through PSE’s contractor network, Recommended Energy Professionals. Get a referral today.
How does my smart thermostat communicate with PSE?
Your smart thermostat uses Wi-Fi to communicate with PSE, similar to the way it communicates with your phone when you alter the temperature remotely.
Is my data secure?
Yes. PSE takes its responsibility to maintain the confidentiality and security of customer information seriously. When signing up for Peak Energy Rewards through your smart thermostat’s manufacturer website, you are only providing basic information that allows Puget Sound Energy to connect your device information to your account information. This data is securely transmitted through encrypted connections to PSE. Learn more about PSE’s privacy policy.
Google Nest is a trademark of Google LLC
Neviweb® is a registered trademark of Sinopé Technologies Inc
ecobee is a registered trademark of ecobee Inc. Ltd
MYSA is a trademark of Empowered Homes Inc
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