Hi folks,
I just got this a free Google NEST thermostat (had to pay about $13 in tax and shipping) for participating in RG&Es Smart Savings program.
It is a demand response program which RG&E describes this way.
The hottest days of the year create heavy demand on the energy grid. Sometimes on these high-demand days we need to draw on more power sources, and energy can get more expensive.
By joining Smart Savings Rewards, you can help us reduce energy use on the occasional extra-hot day by participating in our event days. It doesn’t require any extra work on your part: RG&E will use smart thermostat technology to automatically shift your energy use away from event hours, pre-cooling your home when energy is less expensive so you can stay comfortable.
Smart Savings Rewards is free to join, and in exchange for enrolling, you’ll get a $45 enrollment bonus on a thermostat to help you save!
I'll let you know how it goes