Act Now: This year is your last chance to schedule a smart thermostat upgrade through SMECO’s Switch2Earn Program. Schedule your appointment by November 16.
Schedule a Thermostat Upgrade Today to Receive a $100 Enrollment Bonus and Earn Annual Bill Credits
All active residential members can participate in Switch2Earn to get up to $150 your first year with a new smart thermostat installed and connected to your home Wi-Fi network—at no additional cost. Plus, when you stay enrolled, you will continue to get up to $50 in bill credits each year.
Make an Appointment to Upgrade Your Thermostat—We’ll Take Care of the Rest
Eligible SMECO members can receive a new Honeywell FocusPro smart thermostat.* Your new smart thermostat can help you save energy, plus it’s pre-enrolled in our SmartTemp Program—so you can earn annual bill credits.
Product Features:
- Includes a simple touchscreen display
- Learns your heating and cooling times through an adaptive recovery feature to make sure the system delivers the right temperature at the right time
- Allows you to control it remotely through the First Alert app on your smartphone or tablet
Save Even More During Your Installation Appointment
You may also be eligible for an HVAC tune-up at no additional cost. At the time of your appointment, your technician can ensure your existing heating and cooling system is performing as efficiently as possible.
*To have a smart thermostat installed at no additional cost, you must be a residential SMECO member with an active account; have Wi-Fi in your home at the time of the installation appointment; and have an HVAC system in operatable condition. Members may not already own and operate an existing smart thermostat in their home.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Have your Wi-Fi login credentials accessible.
- Download the First Alert App to streamline your upgrade appointment. You’ll need the app to connect your device to Wi-Fi and participate in SmartTemp.
- If you are unable to complete this step before your appointment, your contractor can walk you through the process during installation.
To participate in Switch2Earn and receive bill credits, you must be a residential SMECO member with an active account, you must have 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi in your home, you must download the First Alert App on a smart phone or smart tablet, and you must connect your smart thermostat to your home Wi-Fi network.
Your bill credits will appear on your SMECO bill under “Other Charges” and will be labeled as “SmartTemp Credit Applied.”
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for Switch2Earn. If you already have an eligible Ecobee, Honeywell Home, LUX, or Sensi smart thermostat, you can still earn bill credits by enrolling in SmartTemp. Contact us at SMECOSmartTemp@icf.com with questions.
Smart thermostats are designed to offer you more control over your comfort and energy savings. With a smart thermostat, you can:
- Change your home’s heating and cooling settings from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- Enjoy the ease and convenience of saving energy when you choose to “set it and forget it.”
- Improve your comfort and performance by allowing your thermostat to learn your preferences and automatically adjust temperature settings.
Installation services are available now. Your contactor will notify you of the next available appointment and will do their best to accommodate your schedule.
Once your thermostat is connected to Wi-Fi, it can take 1–2 weeks for your enrollment to be processed and registered. You will receive a confirmation email notifying you that you are successfully enrolled in the SmartTemp Program.
Once you receive confirmation of your enrollment in SmartTemp, it can take 1–2 billing cycles for your first bill credit to appear on your monthly bill.
Your first bill credit is based on your enrollment date in the SmartTemp Program, not the installation date of your smart thermostat. For example, if you were enrolled in SmartTemp halfway through the month, your prorated bill credit would be half of the total monthly credit amount.
As of 12/31/23, the CoolSentry Program has ended, and you may be eligible to participate in Switch2Earn. When you schedule an appointment, your new Honeywell FocusPro smart thermostat is automatically enrolled in SMECO’s SmartTemp Program, which helps you use your smart thermostat to optimize your home’s energy use when energy demand is high. You can earn up to $50 in bill credits each year you participate and opt out of an event at any time. Learn more at thermostatrewards.com/smeco/faq.
| SmartTemp | CoolSentry (Ended in 2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| What you can earn | Up to $50 each year | Up to $50 each year (50% cycling) Up to $75 each year (75% cycling) |
| How long events last | 2–3 hours (4-hour maximum) | 2–3 hours (4-hour maximum) |
| How much temperatures can change | 1–4°F | 1–4°F |
| When changes occur | Summer | Summer |
| What thermostats are eligible | Honeywell FocusPro Ecobee LUX Sensi Google Nest ecobee amazon smart thermostat Trane |
CoolSentry thermostat CoolSentry DCU (device on outdoor unit) |
SmartTemp is a SMECO program that helps shift energy demand when energy use is highest—like hot summer days. It works by making small, temporary changes to your smart thermostat settings to reduce strain on the electric grid. You stay in control and can adjust it anytime. You earn up to $50 in bill credits each year for helping reduce demand on the grid when it matters most.
Switch2Earn offers eligible members the opportunity for an easy, no-additional-cost smart thermostat upgrade and streamlined enrollment in the SmartTemp Program, all during one scheduled appointment with an authorized SMECO contractor. Members will also receive a $100 enrollment bonus after their device is successfully connected to Wi-Fi.
CoolSentry ended at the close of 2023 and has been replaced by SmartTemp, our upgraded Demand Response Program that gives members more flexibility and control.
Like CoolSentry, SmartTemp helps reduce energy demand by making brief adjustments to your thermostat during peak periods. But with SmartTemp, you can now opt out of individual events directly from your Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat—no need to call SMECO. Plus, you’ll earn up to $50 in annual bill credits just for participating.
Learn more at smeco.coop/SmartTemp.
Demand Response helps SMECO reduce demand on the electric grid during times of high electric use, like hot summer days. By making small temperature adjustments with devices like smart thermostats, SMECO can lower overall energy demand and maintain reliable service. When members participate, they help support a more stable grid by reducing the need for additional energy generation during periods of high demand. This can help reduce overall strain on the grid and may contribute to managing energy costs for all members.
As part of your participation in the Switch2Earn Program, you’ll receive an HVAC tune-up at no additional cost from a SMECO authorized contractor. During your appointment, the SMECO authorized contractor can help you save energy and money by restoring your system to its optimal condition. Learn more about what to expect.
Learn more at thermostatrewards.com/smeco/faq.
Yes. Because the SmartTemp Program relies on the ability to communicate with your thermostat, it requires a Wi-Fi connection. Your thermostat must remain connected to your home’s Wi-Fi to achieve the full benefits of the SmartTemp Program.
Data Privacy FAQs
The program may collect pertinent information, such as your name, address, email, phone number, thermostat settings, energy usage, and device performance data. This helps support your participation and optimize program performance.
Your data is used to operate and improve the SmartTemp Program, manage your account, and support energy efficiency goals. It may also be shared with your utility or device provider to deliver program benefits. However, your data is never sold to third parties or used for marketing purposes outside of the SMECO program portfolio.
SMECO and its partners use encryption, secure servers, and strict access controls to protect your data. Information is stored in compliance with industry standards and applicable privacy laws.
Yes. You may opt out of data sharing by contacting SMECO directly. However, opting out may limit your ability to participate in certain program features.
Already Own a Smart Thermostat? Save With SmartTemp.
Earn bill credits and reduce energy use during periods of peak AC usage.
Learn MoreQuestions?
Get answers. Email SMECOSwitch2Earn@icf.com or call 877-818-4094 for more information.
EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate.