Smart Thermostats 
⚠️ Program amounts change each season. This table reflects known structures as of mid-2026. Verify current amounts at your utility before enrolling.
You have a qualifying smart thermostat and a utility running a demand-response program. This page pulls every major US program into one comparison, so you can see how much to expect and which one pays the most.
How Demand-Response Payouts Are Structured
Most programs pay in one or more of three ways:
Enrollment / signup credit: One-time payment for connecting your thermostat to the program. Ranges from $0 (no bonus) to $100+.
Seasonal credit: A flat amount paid each cooling (or heating) season for program participation. Most common structure.
Per-event credit: Payment for each demand-response event you participate in. Less common but can pay more for active event periods.
Programs combine these differently: a $0 enrollment bonus plus a $150 seasonal credit can beat a $75 bonus plus a $25 annual credit over 5 years.
Program Comparison Table
| Program | Utility / Region | Enrollment Bonus | Seasonal Credit | Qualifying Thermostats | How to Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConnectedSolutions (MA) | Eversource / National Grid / MA | $0 | $75–$170/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | Thermostat app or utility portal |
| ConnectedSolutions (CT) | Eversource CT | $0 | $75–$130/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | Eversource portal |
| ConnectedSolutions (NY) | National Grid NY | $0 | $50–$100/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | Utility portal |
| ConnectedSolutions (RI) | National Grid RI / Eversource | $0 | $50–$100/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | Utility portal |
| Rush Hour Rewards (Nest) | Various US utilities | $0–25 | $20–75/season | Google Nest only | Nest app |
| PSE Flex (WA) | Puget Sound Energy | $25–50 | $20–75/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Mysa, Sinopé | pse.com or thermostat app |
| Xcel AC Rewards (CO/MN) | Xcel Energy | $0 | $20–50/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | Xcel portal or thermostat app |
| Duke Power Manager (NC/FL/IN) | Duke Energy | $0 | $20–75/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell | duke-energy.com |
| SCE Summer Advantage (CA) | Southern California Edison | $0 | $20–50/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | SCE portal or thermostat app |
| Con Edison BYOT (NY) | Con Edison (NYC) | $25–75 | $25–75/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | coned.com |
| Evergy Rewards (KS/MO) | Evergy | $0 | $20–50/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | evergy.com |
| TVA EnergyRight programs | TVA / member cooperatives | $0–50 | $50–300 one-time or seasonal | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell | Cooperative website |
| Georgia Power Smart Energy | Georgia Power | $0 | $20–50/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | georgiapower.com |
| DTE Energy (MI) | DTE | $0 | $20–50/season | ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, Amazon | DTE portal |
| Hilo (QC, Canada) | Hydro-Québec | $0 | Varies (credits per event) | Sinopé Zigbee models only | Hilo app |
All amounts are illustrative of recent program structures. Verify current amounts with your utility before enrolling.
Highest-Paying Programs Right Now
#1 ConnectedSolutions (Massachusetts): The highest sustained payout for residential thermostat demand-response in the US: $75–$170/season, holding steady over multiple years. If you’re a National Grid or Eversource customer in Massachusetts, this is the premier program.
#2 TVA EnergyRight programs: TVA and its member cooperatives have periodically offered enrollment amounts up to $300 for qualifying thermostat installs. These are less consistent year-to-year. Check with your cooperative.
#3 ConnectedSolutions (Connecticut and New York): Similar structure to MA, slightly lower rates, but still among the top-paying programs nationally.
#4 PSE Flex: Notable for including Mysa and Sinopé baseboard thermostats, the only major US program to do so. For Washington state homeowners with baseboard heat, PSE Flex has no competition.
Lifetime Value Comparison
Assuming 5 years of enrollment:
| Program | Year 1 (enrollment + season) | Years 2–5 | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ConnectedSolutions MA | $150–$170 | $75–$170/yr × 4 | $450–$850 |
| PSE Flex (WA) | $45–$125 | $20–$75/yr × 4 | $125–$425 |
| Xcel AC Rewards | $20–$50 | $20–$50/yr × 4 | $100–$250 |
| Duke Power Manager | $20–$75 | $20–$75/yr × 4 | $100–$375 |
| Con Edison BYOT | $50–$150 | $25–$75/yr × 4 | $150–$450 |
How to Find Your Program
- Check your thermostat app first: ecobee’s eco+ and Nest’s energy settings automatically show available programs for your location
- Search your utility’s website for “demand response” or “smart thermostat program”
- Check this utility guide for your state: Smart Thermostat Demand Response Programs: How to Earn Bill Credits
- Use the find-your-utility tool: Find Your Utility: Which Smart Thermostat Rebate Programs Apply to You?
Demand-response program summary: qualifying thermostats by program, enrollment method, payout structure
Frequently Asked Questions
Which demand-response program pays the most?
ConnectedSolutions in Massachusetts consistently pays the highest rates, $75–$170 per cooling season, making it the best demand-response program in the US for smart thermostat owners.
Do I need to do anything during a demand-response event?
No action required. Your thermostat manages the adjustment automatically. You can manually override at any time without losing your enrollment, though it may reduce that event’s credit in some programs.
Can I enroll in demand response and also get a purchase rebate?
Yes. Demand-response credits and purchase rebates are separate programs. You can claim both.
What thermostat qualifies for the most programs?
ecobee (Enhanced or Premium) qualifies for the most demand-response programs across the US, broader than Nest, Honeywell, or Amazon coverage. See ecobee Smart Thermostat Review.
Are there demand-response programs in Canada?
Yes. Hydro-Québec’s Hilo program is the main Canadian example, available to Sinopé Zigbee thermostat owners. US programs are generally more developed and pay higher amounts.
Do demand-response programs work in winter?
Most US programs target summer cooling season. Some Northeast programs (ConnectedSolutions in some years) include winter heating events. Hilo in Quebec operates primarily in winter heating season.
