Connected Homes is a program offered to customers of Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) that leverages the technology of smart appliances and devices into cost savings for the light department and its customers. The program allows CMLP to better manage its electric load, reduce costs, and keep rates low while providing a tool to help CMLP residents to manage their smart devices during Time of Use (TOU) rates.

While TOU rates will not be in effect in 2025, sign up for Connected Homes now and receive a bill credit each month, per device, for early applications and use. Bill credits will only be available to earn through the end of this year until TOU rates are available to provide bill savings for energy consumption adjustments.

Enrollment begins June 2, 2025.

By enrolling a smart device in the Connected Homes Program, customers agree to allow Connected Homes to make limited adjustments to their devices during times of peak electric demand, such as temporarily turning up the thermostat temperature setting during summer peak hours.

When a peak is being called, customers will receive a text and email alerting them to any device adjustments. 

Customers will have the option to occasionally opt out of a peak event adjustment through a text response. Peak reduction efforts can help keep rates low.

Please NOTE: Google only allows for summer-month program participation for its Nest brand thermostats. Enrolled Nest devices will receive incentives during summer months only. Non-Nest thermostat brands will receive incentives year-round only if they control central air conditioning in the summer and electric heat in the winter. 

Reflecting TOU rates, EVs and EV chargers  enrolled in Connected Homes will use a set schedule to determine when a charger can be used at full power. Residents retain the ability to opt out of reduced charging abilities by plugging and unplugging their charger.

Through the Wi-Fi connection enabled in the charger, CMLP will power off the EV charger during periods of peak energy usage for the rest of our distribution system. (This is voluntary and customers will retain the ability to opt out of participating in any given day.)

Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., your EV charger will not charge. Outside of this time period, the charger will automatically unlock to allow you full Level 2 fast-charging functionality.

Refer to the table below to learn which devices and brands are eligible for participation in Connected Homes.

*Toyota Rav4 must be XSE Trim Model

**Google and Nest Thermostat are trademarks of Google LLC.

Do you own a Ford F-150 Lighting 2022-2025 or a Nissan Leaf 2013-2025? You may be eligible to apply for a FREE bidirectional charger through MassCEC with all costs of installation covered. Applications are open through July 31. Learn more.

Can I enroll multiple devices?

Yes, in most cases, customers are able to enroll multiple devices in the NextZero Connected Homes Program and will receive incentives for each device that is enrolled and participates in adjustments. The exception is that either an EV charger or an EV itself can be enrolled, but not both and only one residential battery can be enrolled.

Will I be notified before an adjustment is made? How will I be notified?

Yes, CMLP will notify its customers in advance of a possible adjustment. Customers will be notified of upcoming adjustments via email. 

What do I do if I need to opt out of an adjustment? 

When notified of a peak electric demand adjustment, customers will be given an opt out link in both text and email format. To opt out of an adjustment, either click one of those links or adjust the device’s settings back to the preferred state. 

How many adjustments should I anticipate?

Adjustments will occur on peak days which are determined by the Independent System Operator-New England and the local transmission provider. NextZero may call up to 170 hours of peak events per year. This is approximately five to six peak events/adjustments per month, though the actual number of peak events may vary and will in many months be three to four times.

With a home battery system, will all of my battery’s charge be pulled during an adjustment?

No more than 80% of a customer’s battery will be drawn down during an adjustment.

How will I be paid for my participation?

Customers will be given bill credits for their participation in Connected Homes. Bill credits will be issued once per quarter.