Efficiency Works Flex Thermostat FAQs

• The Flex Thermostat program is a voluntary program for electric utility customers of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland utilities with eligible smart thermostats.
  
  
• The program may make small, temporary temperature adjustments to enrolled smart thermostats during times of high energy demand. These adjustments help ease pressure on the grid, reduce reliance on less efficient power sources and support a cleaner energy future – all while helping keep energy costs low for everyone.
  

To be eligible for the Efficiency Works Flex Thermostat program, participants must:

• Be a residential or commercial electric customer of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities*, Longmont Power & Communications and City of Loveland Utilities.

  • • *Fort Collins Utilities electric customers may participate with an eligible Google Nest thermostat. For other thermostat models, Fort Collins Utilities offers a separate demand response program with additional qualified devices. Learn more: https://peakpartnersfortcollins.com/

• Own, rent or lease the thermostat equipment and be authorized to make decisions for the enrolled address.

• Agree to brief thermostat adjustments during high-demand periods.

• Thermostat must remain internet-connected and registered with the device provider (i.e., Google Nest, ecobee, Honeywell, etc.).
  

•  Enroll a thermostat that controls electric HVAC equipment (i.e., central air conditioner, heat pump or baseboard electric heaters). Thermostats connected only to natural gas furnaces are not eligible to participate.
  
• In addition to meeting the criteria above, the following factors will be considered before Participant enrollment is approved:
  
  • • Residential and commercial tenants renting a site may be eligible to participate if the thermostat is registered in the renter’s name, using their rental address and email address.
      
      
    • Multiple smart thermostat devices per site address may qualify to enroll and receive incentives if they control unique electric HVAC equipment. Additional verification may be required before enrollment approval.
      
      
    • If an existing participating smart thermostat is replaced with a new eligible device, the new device may need to be re-enrolled. An additional enrollment incentive will not be issued, but participants remain eligible for annual incentives.
      
      
    • Participant’s smart thermostat device must be tied to an individual electric meter. Multiple residential or commercial tenants using a shared electric master-meter may not be eligible.
      
      
•  Thermostat demand response programs may not be suitable in households or businesses with individuals who have health issues or those who are particularly sensitive to changes in indoor temperatures.
  
  
• Program reserves the right to unenroll participants who do not meet minimum connectivity and participation requirements.

• Participants can enroll by visiting the program page and selecting their thermostat to get started in the enrollment process.

• Eligible participants receive a one‑time $50 enrollment incentive within 60 days of their enrollment approval. Incentive payment options are sent to the email address provided during enrollment from EfficiencyWorks@ChoicePaymentHub.com.

  • For residential customers, payment options include: Venmo, PayPal, digital MasterCard or mailed check.

  • Commercial customers will receive a mailed check (W9 required).

• If participants replace an already enrolled thermostat, they will not receive an additional $50 enrollment incentive. However, participants are still eligible for the $25 annual incentive if the new thermostat qualifies for the program.

• The program reserves the right to change incentives or discontinue the offering at any time.

Enrolled participants may be eligible to earn an annual incentive paid by the end of October if they:

• Enroll before August 31 (for first-year eligibility)

• Keep the device enrolled, registered and connected at the approved address.
  
  
• Maintain at least 25% participation in thermostat adjustment events per year. If a participant does not meet this threshold, the program reserves the right to limit the annual participation incentive.
  
  
• Participant must remain in good standing with program requirements. Efficiency Works reserves the right to contact participant to troubleshoot device connectivity and verify the device is served by an eligible electric utility.
  
  
• Incentive payment options are sent to the email address provided during enrollment from EfficiencyWorks@ChoicePaymentHub.com.
  
  
• The program reserves the right to change incentives or discontinue the offering at any time.

• Depending on the thermostat provider, notifications will appear on the thermostat or in the web/mobile application.

• During an event, an enrolled thermostat adjustment is typically +/- 2 degrees or less than its current setting and lasts no more than four hours.

• Most events happen between 1 and 7 p.m. MT, but they may occur between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. MT.

• Sometimes, an enrolled thermostat may pre-cool the home before an event starts to help maintain comfort – though this may not happen if the event is urgent.

• No, adjustments are small, and comfort is always the priority. Participants can opt out of any event at any time through their thermostat, app or web browser.

• Yes, absolutely. Participants are always in control and can opt out of any event from their thermostat, mobile device or web browser.

• You can find the program terms and conditions for all thermostat providers here: Terms and Conditions

• We’re happy to help. Reach us at EfficiencyWorks@energyhub.com with any questions about the program.

• No. Once a participant is enrolled, everything happens automatically. Just make sure the thermostat remains internet connected.

• Participants may leave the program at any time by sending an email to EfficiencyWorks@energyhub.com to request unenrollment of their device. Once a participant is unenrolled, they won’t receive the annual $25 incentive, and their thermostat will no longer participate in events.