Connected Homes is a program offered to customers Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) that leverages the technology of smart appliances and devices into cost savings for the light department and its customers. The program allows MMLD to better manage its electric load, reduce costs, and keep rates low.
A “Peak Event” is a time when demand on the electric grid is at its highest. Prices of wholesale electricity (the price your light department pays for electricity) soar during peak hours. The more your light department spends on power, the higher its rates will have to be. And, in order to supply the large peak electric demand during a Peak, older, dirtier, power generating plants are used. Reducing the Peak means these plants won’t need to be used as much.
When a peak usage hour is predicted, Connected Homes calls a “Peak Event.” To reduce Peak Electric Use, Connected Homes makes short, limited adjustments to your enrolled smart devices. Each device’s participation helps to reduce electric use, saves money for the light departments, and reduces the use of old generating plants.
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.
Refer to the table below to learn which devices and brands are eligible for participation in Connected Homes.
Smart Devices | Qualifying Brands | Monthly Incentive |
---|---|---|
Battery | Duracell, Emporia | $30 |
Electric Vehicle | Acura 2024+, Alfa Romeo 2023+, Audi 2019+, BMW 2017+, Chrysler 2017-2024, Fiat 2024+, Hyundai 2017+, Jaguar 2019+, Jeep 2021-2024, Kia 2017-2021, Land Rover 2019-2021, Lexus 2023+, Mazda 2024, Mini 2020+, Nissan 2023+ | $10 |
(cont.) | Porsche 2020-2024, Ram 2025, Subaru 2023+, Tesla 2012+, Toyota 2021+*, Volkswagen 2020+ | $10 |
Electric Vehicle Charger** | ChargePoint, Emporia, EvoCharge | $10 |
Electric Hot Water Heater | GE, Rheem | $5 |
Mini-Split Controller | Flair, Sensibo | $5 |
Wi-Fi Thermostat | Amazon, Google Nest***, Honeywell/Resideo, Sensi | $5 |
*Toyota Rav4 must be XSE Trim Model
**Google and Nest Thermostat are trademarks of Google LLC.
*** Customers who receive the EV charger rebate are not eligible to receive the Connected Homes Program incentive for 36 months.
Connected Homes only has access to the energy usage and consumption data needed to assist in programming, reporting, monitoring, and controlling the device system to achieve participation in a peak event.
Manufacturers have their own privacy terms with device owners, unrelated to the Connected Homes program. By signing up for Connected Homes, the device owner may be changing their level of privacy with the manufacturer.
For Tesla vehicles only: Please note that while the Tesla app does not explicitly state this, check boxes 1, 2 and 4 are the only required selections for enrollment on the sign-up page. Connected Homes does not have access to your historical location data.