Become a Power Partner
How Much Can You Earn by Enrolling Your Smart Thermostat in Power Partner℠?
Austin Energy has increased incentives for customers who enroll their smart thermostats in the Power Partner program. These new rewards make it easier to save energy, stay comfortable and support a more reliable grid all summer.
Updated Power Partner Incentives
Austin Energy recently expanded incentives for Power Partner to encourage more customers to join. When you enroll a qualifying smart thermostat, you now receive:
- $75 for enrolling
- $30 every year you stay in the program
- A $50 rebate if you need to purchase a qualifying thermostat
These incentives make smart thermostats more affordable and reward you for making an impact during peak demand periods.
How Power Partner Supports a Reliable Grid
On very hot or cold days, Austin’s energy use rises fast. Power Partner helps manage this by making small, temporary adjustments to enrolled thermostats. These adjustments usually last only a short time and are designed to keep your home comfortable.
Even though each adjustment is small, the combined impact of thousands of homes helps Austin Energy:
- Avoid extra strain on the electric system
- Maintain reliable service
- Keep energy costs low for the community
- Support clean energy goals
It’s a simple way customers can help protect the grid during days with extreme temperatures.
Your Role in Austin’s Virtual Power Plant
When your thermostat participates in Power Partner, it becomes one part of Austin Energy’s growing Virtual Power Plant. Instead of producing electricity, a Virtual Power Plant lowers demand by coordinating many devices at once. This helps balance supply and demand in our community.
Smart thermostats, EV chargers and batteries can all work together to stabilize the grid. Your participation helps keep Austin’s electric system strong during times of peak demand.
Another Way to Save Energy: Power Partner EV
For customers with an electric vehicle and a Level 2 home charger, Power Partner EV offers another way to save energy and support the grid.
With Power Partner EV, you can earn:
- A $50 bill credit for enrolling a qualifying Level 2 EV charger or qualifying vehicle
- A $25 bill credit after one year in the program
During high‑demand periods, Austin Energy may pause or slow EV charging. Your battery will never be discharged, and you can override the event at any time. These adjustments help reduce energy use at moments when the grid is under the most stress.
These small changes across many homes make a meaningful difference.