Clark Public Utilities, a nonprofit electric utility, offers rebates and incentives to residents switching to smart thermostats for its convenience and energy efficiency.
Dameon Pesanti from Clark Public Utilities explained that smart thermostats optimize a home’s heating and cooling system by learning from users’ habits. Over time, they recognize preferred temperature settings, adjust to daily routines and consider local climate conditions. By analyzing factors like humidity and temperature fluctuations, smart thermostats calculate the most efficient times to heat or cool a home, ensuring comfort while minimizing energy waste.
Occupancy sensors are present in many models, which detect when the home is empty. If a thermostat detects no one is present, it adjusts the temperature to save energy. Before the homeowner returns, the thermostat can preheat or cool the space, ensuring a comfortable environment upon arrival.
“If it knows that when you come home and you typically set it to that certain temperature, after a while, it’s going to begin doing that automatically before you get home,” Pesanti said. “So, by the time you get home, it’ll even know how long it takes for your house to reach that temperature that you like.”
Because of this, smart thermostats can significantly reduce energy usage. Pesanti notes that Clark Public Utilities users save an average of up to 10% on their energy costs compared with traditional thermostats.
Beyond cost savings, smart thermostats offer substantial environmental benefits. By reducing energy consumption, they reduce overall energy demand. Pesanti noted this can help Clark Public Utilities maintain current utility rates.
“Less emissions associated with energy production can help reduce the seasonal strain on the grid,” Pesanti said. “A great thing is that [smart thermostats] automate those energy-saving habits.”
He noted smart thermostats are also user-friendly. Users can adjust temperatures from afar through mobile phone apps, ensuring homes are energy-efficient even when they are not present. Additionally, smart thermostats seamlessly integrate with other smart home technologies.
Clark Public Utilities promotes $140 smart thermostat adoption through its rebate program. Homeowners are required to have a heat pump or electric furnace to be eligible. Homes heated by natural gas are ineligible for Clark Public Utilities rebates, but people can find other rebates and incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon at energytrust.org/residential/incen tives/thermostat.
Clark Public Utilities offers customer support for installation. Readers can find installation support and more information on the rebate program at clarkpublicutilities.com/res idential-customers/reduce-en ergy-waste-and-lower-your-bill/all-rebates-incentives-and-low-interest-loans/smart-thermostat.
Clark Public Utilities, in partnership with General Pacific, offers additional discounts for Google Nest and Ecobee smart thermostat models while funds last. People can learn about the offer and check their home compatibility at clark.gpfulfillment.com.
