There are two reasons:
First, we are committed to helping you find ways to save energy and money, and we think this thermostat will do both of those things. Energystar.gov estimates that homes with programmable thermostats can save up to $180/year in heating and cooling costs, but the thermostats have to be programmed correctly. The technology behind the smart ecobee3 thermostat makes programming and controlling your thermostat easy and, well… kind of fun!
Second, after installation is complete, your ecobee3 will receive signals from Roanoke Cooperative during times when the demand for electricity is greatest and therefore most expensive. In the summer, this usually happens a few times a month in the late afternoon when temperatures and humidity are high.
Our signals, which will be accompanied by a message to your thermostat and an e-mail, will raise the summer and lower in the winter the temperature of your thermostat by a few degrees, but never to a level that is uncomfortable. And you always have the option to override the signal and continue operating your ecobee3 at your desired temperature.
By lowering energy use throughout our system during times of peak demand, we are able to lower our power costs. Because electric cooperatives are not-for-profit, those savings are passed on to you.