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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Connect to Save?
Answers to your questions about our program and what it offers to electric cooperative members.
Connect to Save is a program offered by several of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, linking co-op members with exclusive energy offers from their local cooperative. The offers vary by co-op based on available services.
If you are enrolled in the program with a smart thermostat, Connect to Save will make small changes to device settings during an “event” when demand is high.
Learn more on our About page.
The Connect My Thermostat offering through Connect to Save allows you to enroll your existing smart thermostat and earn a reward for using less electricity when demand is high. You’ll receive $50 upfront and $50 each year for each qualifying thermostat (up to $100).
When demand for electricity is expected to peak, your thermostat setting will adjust by a few degrees. You always maintain control of your thermostat and can override temperature settings during events.
Adopted by thousands of electric cooperative members across the state, Connect to Save supports grid resilience and sustainability, while also reducing wholesale power costs. Because cooperatives are not-for-profit utilities owned by the communities they serve, members benefit from these savings.
To qualify for the program, you must meet these program requirements:
- Be a member of a participating electric cooperative
- Use electricity to heat and cool your home
- Have an eligible model of smart thermostat that is currently connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network
Check to see if you have an eligible smart thermostat.
You will receive $50 when you successfully enroll your device(s) and an additional $50 per thermostat each year you participate, up to $100 per year. To qualify for the annual reward, members must not opt out of more than 5 events each year.
Rewards are earned when:
- An eligible thermostat is successfully enrolled ($50 per thermostat, not to exceed $100)
- On the anniversary of your participation in the program ($50 per thermostat, not to exceed $100)
All rewards for participating in Connect to Save are awarded with Prepaid MasterCards®. When you’ve earned a reward, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to redeem. You may opt for a physical or digital Prepaid MasterCard®. If you do not make a selection, a physical gift card will be sent to the address we have on file.
Connect My Thermostat, through the Connect to Save program, will not impact the function of your thermostat. Any issues related to your thermostat should be resolved by contacting the device manufacturer or your preferred HVAC service provider.
By participating in this program, you are not guaranteed to see a change in your average monthly electric bill, but you are guaranteed an annual reward for your successful participation.
When energy demand is high, energy providers may need to use less efficient power resources to meet power needs. By participating in Connect to Save, you help reduce electric demand during peak times and prevent the use of older, less efficient power plants. Connect to Save is a simple, easy way each of us can come together to create a more reliable and sustainable energy future.
Yes! You should receive a message from us within 30 days of your move-in date. To enroll in the Connect to Save program, call us at 844-577-SAVE (7283) or send an email to service@connecttosavenc.com.
If you move into a new home within a participating cooperative territory, you will need to re-enroll in the program.
What are “events”?
On certain days when demand on the grid is high, Connect to Save will make automatic changes to the setpoint of your enrolled thermostat(s).
When an event is called, the setpoint on your enrolled thermostat(s) is automatically adjusted by 3 degrees – warmer in the summer, cooler in the winter. Events last 2-4 hours. You can opt out of an event by changing the setpoint on your thermostat, but this may affect your $50 annual reward.
- Events last for 2-4 hours, typically 3-4 times a month.
- Events usually occur between 6 and 9 am in the winter, 4 and 8 pm in the summer.
- You are likely to experience more events when outside temperatures are more extreme. This creates the greatest positive change in your community’s energy use.
- You always have control of your thermostat. You can opt out of events at any time, but opting out of more than 5 events in a year may affect your rewards.
- Maximum of 48 events per year, minimum of 1 event per month. Events occur no more than 3 days in a row.
You will be notified of an event on the thermostat ’s screen and in your thermostat’s mobile app.
You always have control of your thermostat. If you wish to opt out of an event, simply change the temperature on your thermostat at any time. However, to remain eligible for your $50 annual reward, you cannot opt out of more than 5 events each year.
To ensure your comfort, we may cool or heat your home in advance of an event when energy demand is lower. For Google Nest thermostats, preconditioning begins one hour prior to the event. Honeywell Home and ecobee thermostats do not precondition.
Legacy Thermostat Offer
For members who purchased a thermostat through Connect to Save (prior to February 2025).
As of January 30, 2025, members can no longer purchase a smart thermostat through Connect to Save. Going forward, qualifying members can connect their own eligible smart thermostat.
Yes, events will be called as they have in the past. See “What are events?” above for more information.
Members will continue to receive $50 per thermostat (up to $100) on the anniversary of their thermostat installation date for 7 years after their initial installation. To qualify for the annual reward, members must not opt out of more than 5 events each year.
Yes, members can keep all smart devices installed through Connect to Save, but they must remain installed and connected to Wi-Fi.
Please call 844-577-SAVE (7283) before replacing your Connect to Save thermostat. Removal of the thermostat may result in an early termination fee, per program Terms & Conditions.
Email, phone and technician support for your smart thermostat(s) and smart water heater device will be available through February 2028. For assistance, contact us.
No. Thermostats purchased through our legacy thermostat offer are not eligible to participate in the “Connect My Thermostat” offering.
You will no longer have access to your Connect to Save order history. If you would like a copy of your order history, please reach out to one of our service representatives by emailing service@connecttosavenc.com or calling 844-577-7283 between 8am and 8pm, Monday through Friday.