Unitil FAQ
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What is the Unitil ConnectedSolutions program?
- Unitil’s voluntary demand response program is designed to reward you for reducing your electricity use during periods of high demand, while helping the environment and reliability of the electricity grid.
- Participants agree to brief, limited events which adjust their thermostats during peak electric demand periods from June 1 through September 30. You can anticipate at least one adjustment, and a maximum of up to 15 adjustments per summer. Peak demand periods for adjustments typically occur on especially hot days. Adjustments will not occur on holidays.
- Unitil residential electricity customers who have installed a qualifying connected thermostat controlling their central air conditioning system are eligible.
- Participants will receive an $50 e-gift card per device after being accepted into the program and an e-gift card per device at the end of each summer season for participating. All residents are eligible for a $20 seasonal incentive per thermostat.
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How does the ConnectedSolutions program benefit the community?
The program:
- Supports Massachusetts’s energy initiatives.
- Protects our environment by lowering emissions.
- Helps reduce the cost of peak energy in our region.
- Helps control electric rates.
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How will I know if I’m eligible to enroll?
To be eligible to enroll, you must meet the following qualifications:
- You are a Unitil residential customer.
- You use your thermostat to control your central air conditioning.
- You have an installed, eligible internet-connected thermostat.
Enroll Now -
What is my enrollment incentive?
Participants will receive a $50 e-gift card per thermostat after being accepted into the program.
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When will I receive the e-gift card for enrolling in ConnectedSolutions?
You will receive an email with your e-gift card for being accepted into ConnectedSolutions within four to six weeks of being accepted into the program.
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How do I receive the participation incentive?
You will receive an email with your e-gift card at the end of the summer season for participating. Massachusetts residents are eligible for a $20 e-gift card per thermostat.
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Which thermostats qualify for the program?
Below is the current list of qualifying thermostats.
Provider Approved Thermostats Alarm.com Radio Thermostat CT30, CT80, CT100; Trane ComfortLink Control; RCS Z-Wave Communicating Thermostat; GoControl Z-wave Thermostat; Alarm.com Smart Thermostat; 2GIG Z-Wave Plus™ Battery Powered Thermostat; Trane Z-Wave Thermostat; Linear Thermostat Building36 Building 36 Intelligent Thermostat Emerson Sensi™ Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat Honeywell Home Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, Wi-Fi 9000 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, 9000 Smart Thermostat, 7-Day Programmable Smart Thermostat, VisionPro 8000 Smart Thermostat, Round Smart Thermostat, T5+ Smart Thermostat, T6 Pro Smart Thermostat, T9 Smart Thermostat, T10 Smart Thermostat Lux LUX/GEO, LUX KONO Google Nest Google Nest Thermostat, Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Google Nest Thermostat E Vivint Radio Thermostat CT100 with Vivint Go!Control Panel -
Where can I find the Terms & Conditions for this program?
You can find the program terms and conditions for all thermostat providers below:
Provider Terms and Conditions Alarm.com Terms and Conditions Emerson Terms and Conditions Honeywell Home Terms and Conditions Lux Terms and Conditions Google Nest Terms and Conditions Vivint Terms and Conditions -
How do I sign up for ConnectedSolutions?
- Confirm your eligibility for the ConnectedSolutions program with these three questions:
- Are you a Unitil residential customer?
- Do you use your thermostat to control your central air conditioning?
- Will you allow Unitil to make short, low impact thermostat adjustments on high energy usage days?
- If you confirm these three questions, please choose whether you have a thermostat to enroll in the ConnectedSolutions program or if you would like to purchase one.
- If you have an existing thermostat, please select your thermostat among the eligible models. If you don’t have an existing eligible thermostat, please choose a model, purchase and install it. Once you have installed and activated, come back to enroll your new thermostat in the ConnectedSolutions program.
- Click the Enroll Now button to go to your thermostat’s enrollment site, where you’ll follow a series of simple steps to enroll.
- Once your eligibility is confirmed by Unitil, you will be enrolled in the program. You will receive notification on your eligibility status in your account registered email.
Enroll Now - Confirm your eligibility for the ConnectedSolutions program with these three questions:
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How will I know that a temperature adjustment is in progress?
Depending on your thermostat provider, notifications may appear on the thermostat or in your web or mobile application.
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How will my thermostat be adjusted?
- At the start of a peak energy event, your thermostat will be automatically adjusted up to 4 degrees above the current temperature.
- The adjustment will typically last no more than 3 hours on non-holiday weekdays, and will occur between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Once the temperature adjustment is over, your thermostat will return to its normal set point and/or schedule.
- In some cases, your thermostat might be adjusted down 3 degrees prior to an adjustment event to pre-cool your home or business.
- You can opt out of an event at any time from your mobile device, web browser, or thermostat. For the majority of devices, when you opt out of the pre-cool, you are also opting out of the temperature adjustment. If you own an ecobee device, you must also opt out of the temperature adjustment.
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Will participating in the program compromise my comfort?
Adjustment events will only affect the temperature by a few degrees, with minimal impact on comfort. And you can easily opt out of an event at any time, for any reason. Your participation is voluntary.
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Am I allowed to opt out of thermostat adjustment events?
Yes. At any time during an event, you can opt out from your thermostat, mobile device, or web app.
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Does opting out of the pre-cool opt me out of the thermostat adjustment event?
For the majority of devices, when you opt out of the pre-cool, you are also opting out of the temperature adjustment. If you own an ecobee device, you must also opt out of the temperature adjustment.
