Use This App to Gamify Saving Money on Your Electricity Bills
There are many ways to save on your electric bill, but remembering to turn off devices (or unplug them) and put appliances to sleep during certain hours may seem like more of a hassle than it’s worth. Using smart technology can help you achieve some of this, but there are also ways to “gamify” your energy use. The GridRewards app is one of them. Using artificial intelligence, the app can help you change your energy consumption habits by rewarding you with a small amount of money for using less electricity – in addition to the savings you’ll see on your next bill. Here’s how it works.
Who is eligible for the GridRewards app
The GridRewards app is available for Apple and Android devices, or you can download it from the GridRewards website, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use it. You’ll need to enter your zip code to see if your area is served and if you can participate in events to earn rewards and save money on your electric bill. Currently, customers using ConEdison in New York and New Jersey, Southern California Edison in California, Pacific Gas and Electric in California, and select other areas in Texas and California are eligible to receive rewards through the app. We hope that the program’s availability will expand over time.
How the GridRewards App Can Save You Money (And How Much)
Once you sign up, the app will help you save energy by providing you with energy saving tips, but more importantly, it will connect to your electricity consumption through your utility provider and help you track your usage in real time. Additionally, the app will alert you to peak hours and events where you can earn money by saving energy. The artificial intelligence technology GridRewards uses can track energy usage and communicate with customers, helping you save energy during times when your area uses a lot of energy (which are also times when energy is more expensive). The less energy you spend during these events, the more rewards you can earn. Using the app, the average household can earn about $100 per year , according to GridRewards.
What are peak energy events?
Most of the time, peak loads occur during heat waves when many people use air conditioners and fans. When such events occur, electric service providers may need access to so-called “peaking plants” to provide more power. Using these auxiliary power plans is costly and inefficient, and utility companies prefer to reward customers who reduce consumption during peak loads.
How to make money with GridRewards
While you may see some savings on your bills simply from using less energy overall, the cash rewards you earn with GridRewards are administered through an app that is a product of Logical Buildings , a technology company committed to making construction more efficient. They will send you the money via PayPal or a check in the mail, whichever you prefer. If you want to get your rewards faster, PayPal is the way to go as they will hold your payment for 30 days before mailing it to you.
What you can do to reduce your electricity consumption during peak demand
During hot weather, you can increase the temperature on your thermostat to reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner uses. You can also avoid using appliances that use a lot of electricity, such as washers, dryers, ovens and dishwashers. Using smart plugs to reduce unnecessary energy use, as well as installing a smart thermostat and smart light bulbs can also help you cut costs.