Participants receive:
- Free Smart Thermostats with remote access for each Rooftop Unit
- Free efficiency optimization software
- Estimated energy cost savings of up to 10-12% per year
- Estimated bill credits up to $300 per year
Connected Energy Savings
How it works?
Eligibility
No Building Automation System
Small-Medium Business
With a Building Automation System
Large Commercial
Participants receive:
- Free energy audit and energy efficiency advisory service for duration of the pilot
- Free Energy Management Information System
- Estimated energy cost savings of up to 8-10% per year
- Estimated bill credits up to $1000 per month*
Sorry, but you do not meet the program criteria
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FAQs
What is the Connected Communities Program? This is a voluntary pilot program funded by the Department of Energy and other partners to enhance the grid by working with customers and building owners to reduce energy usage during peak grid events. Participants can receive equipment and/or energy advisory services at no cost. Participants can also receive financial incentives.
How long does this program last? The pilot program continues until January 2028, at which time the customer agreement and incentives will end. Avista and their partners will reevaluate at that time.
What are the benefits for me? Small & Medium Business
- Free smart thermostat (includes installation costs) valued at $700
- Free equipment optimization software
- Energy cost savings of up to 10-12% per year
- Bill credits up to $300 per year
Large Commercial Business
- Free energy audit and energy efficiency advisory service for duration of program valued at $25,000
- Free online Energy Management Information System
- Energy cost savings of 8-10% per year
- Bill credits up to $1,000 per month
What commitments are required of me in order to participate? - Consent to the terms of the customer agreement
- Approve the install of an HVAC controls gateway
- Participate in a 1 hour bi-annual meeting to review efficiency improvement opportunities
How do I know if my building is a Small to Medium Business or Large Commercial? This pilot classifies Large Commercial buildings as those that have a digital HVAC controls or building automation system (BAS). All other commercial buildings are considered Small to Medium Business.
Does my landlord need to approve? Yes. The landlord will need to sign the customer agreement.
How will my system be adjusted? Temperature setpoints may be adjusted by up to 4 degrees during the event.
Can I opt out? Small & Medium Business
Yes, you may opt out via the software provided with your new smart thermostat.
Large Commercial Business
Yes, you may decline an event by email or phone by 6:30 a.m. PT on the day of the requested event. You can also can manually adjust temperature setpoints at any time through your typical controls interface. Please note, opting out impacts your performance incentives.
How much can I get paid? Small & Medium Business
SMB participants will receive a fixed monthly bill credit for participating in the program that is not tied to performance during grid events. An additional performance incentive will be offered to those that did not opt out of more than 20% of called events. Efficiency cost savings should also be considered when determining potential financial gains of participation.
Large Commercial Business
Incentives are based on committed capacity and performance.
Capacity Payments multiply the $50/kw-yr “kW rate” by “Delivered Capacity” or by the “Accepted Capacity” if no events were called in a billing period.
Performance Payments multiply the $0.20/kWh by the amount of energy reduced during events (against a baseline).
How is performance measured? Small & Medium Business
The number of opt outs is recorded in the energy management software embedded on the smart thermostat.
Large Commercial Business
Capacity (kW) and energy (kWh) are both calculated based on data from the utility meter.