Reduce Your Use program

Q: Do Reduce Your Use events happen all year long?

Yes, however, events are more likely to happen during summer and winter months when electricity demand is particularly high. You can always opt out of the event by changing the temperature on your thermostat.

Reduce your use when demand is high

When electricity demand is high, a Reduce Your Use event automatically adjusts your smart thermostat a few degrees to help you conserve without lifting a finger. Don't worry — you're always in control and can change the temperature at any time.

How does the Reduce Your Use program work?

Customers sign up to voluntarily conserve energy when electricity demand is high

Electricity demand increases due to weather or other events

A Reduce Your Use event is called and registered smart thermostats will automatically adjust

Reduced usage helps conserve energy during periods of high demand

It's free and easy to join, plus you get a $25 bill credit just for signing up!

Sign up for the Reduce Your Use program with your participating smart thermostat below.
After 2 billing cycles, you will receive your $25 bill credit.*
When electricity demand is high, your smart thermostat will notify you of a Reduce Your Use event and automatically adjust to help you conserve.

Choose your smart thermostat

Frequently asked questions

Show all answers

What is the Direct Energy Reduce Your Use program?

During periods of high electricity demand, a participating smart thermostat will automatically tweak temperatures up to 4 degrees to balance energy savings and comfort. Reduce Your Use events can last up to 4 hours, but you can change the temperature on your thermostat at any time.

How does the Reduce Your Use program work?

During peak summer and winter months when electricity demand is anticipated to be high, your smart thermostat automatically adjusts a few degrees to decrease your AC run time and conserve energy. This is known as a Reduce Your Use event. This small change is good for you and your wallet. To participate, you must connect your eligible smart thermostat to Wi-Fi and sign up for the Reduce Your Use program using the links above. Once you do, your smart thermostat and its app will let you know when a Reduce Your Use event starts.

During a Reduce Your Use event, your thermostat will automatically adjust temperatures a few degrees to save electricity while keeping you comfortable. But you can choose to change the temperature and opt out of that particular event at any time.

There can be multiple Reduce Your Use events throughout the year.
Reduce Your Use events can occur at any time of year between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Central)
There can be more than one Reduce Your Use event per day.
If there is an energy emergency on the electric grid, Direct Energy may need to call a critical Reduce Your Use event. Critical Reduce Your Use events can occur at any time of day.

What is required to participate in the Reduce Your Use program?

An eligible smart thermostat from Google Nest, Honeywell Home, or Emerson Sensi is required to participate in the Direct Energy Reduce Your Use program along with Wi-Fi and an active account with your smart thermostat's app.

If you have more than one eligible thermostat, you can enroll each one to participate in Reduce Your Use events.

Eligible smart thermostats include:

Google Nest

Nest Learning Thermostat (all generations)
Nest Thermostat
Nest Thermostat E

Honeywell

VisionPRO 8000 with RedLINK Gateway
VisionPRO 8000 Smart
9000 Smart
Prestige IAQ
Wi-Fi FocusPRO 6000
Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable
Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen
Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Wi-Fi 9000
T9 Pro Smart Thermostat
T10 Pro Smart Thermostat
T5+ Pro Smart Thermostat
T6 Pro Smart Thermostat
Round Smart Thermostat

You must set up your thermostat using the free Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app in order to register your device in the Reduce Your Use program.

Emerson

Sensi Smart Thermostat
Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat

What should I expect when a Reduce Your Use event occurs?

Depending on your thermostat, notifications may appear on your thermostat and in its mobile app when a Reduce Your Use event is in progress. During the event, your smart thermostat will adjust your target temperature by no more than 4 degrees. You can override these automatic adjustments at any time if you choose. Your thermostat will return to its regular schedule after the Reduce Your Use event has ended.

How do I know that a Reduce Your Use event is taking place?

Depending on your thermostat, notifications may appear on the thermostat or in its mobile app when a Reduce Your Use event is in progress.

Google Nest: A gold gear icon will appear on the display of your Google Nest thermostat and your Google Home or Nest app to let you know that an energy event is now taking place.
Honeywell: You will receive an Energy Savings Event notification in the Total Connect Comfort app to let you know that an energy event is taking place.
Sensi: On the Sensi thermostat, if you're currently in an event, you'll see Active Savings Event on the thermostat display, along with the time that event will end. The same information is available in the Sensi app.

How do I opt out of a Reduce Your Use event?

You can override the modified temperatures at any point by changing the temperature directly on your smart thermostat or in its app. Your thermostat will keep the temperatures you set and then return to your regular schedule.

Do Reduce Your Use events happen all year long?

Yes. However, events are more likely to happen during summer and winter months when electricity demand is particularly high. You can always opt out of the event by changing the temperature on your thermostat.

Will participation in the Reduce Your Use program affect my enrollment in my current Direct Energy plan?

Your participation in the Reduce Your Use program does not affect your current Direct Energy electricity plan.

How do I cancel my Reduce Your Use program enrollment?

You may cancel your Reduce Your Use program enrollment at any time by calling Direct Energy at 1-888-548-7540.

Terms & conditions

^*Direct Energy customers who enroll in Reduce Your Use , will receive a one-time $25 bill credit, which will be applied to the Direct Energy electricity account enrolled within 2 billing cycles. Offer does not apply to customers receiving smart thermostats pre-provisioned for Reduce Your Use. Not redeemable for cash; Direct Energy electricity account must be active at time of credit award to receive credit. Direct Energy reserves the right to discontinue or change this program without notice.

Direct Energy is not affiliated with Google, Honeywell Home or Emerson Sensi or the products and services they market. Google, Google Nest, Google Home, Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E are trademarks of Google LLC. Honeywell Home is a trademark of Honeywell International Inc. Emerson and Sensi are trademarks of Emerson Electric Co.

Detailed terms & conditions here

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Reduce Your Use® and get rewarded

Reduce your use when demand is high

How does the Reduce Your Use program work?

It's free and easy to join, plus you get a $25 bill credit just for signing up!

Choose your smart thermostat

Google Nest

Honeywell Home

Emerson Sensi

Frequently asked questions

What is the Direct Energy Reduce Your Use program?

How does the Reduce Your Use program work?

What is required to participate in the Reduce Your Use program?

What should I expect when a Reduce Your Use event occurs?

How do I know that a Reduce Your Use event is taking place?

How do I opt out of a Reduce Your Use event?

Do Reduce Your Use events happen all year long?

Will participation in the Reduce Your Use program affect my enrollment in my current Direct Energy plan?

How do I cancel my Reduce Your Use program enrollment?

Terms & conditions

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Choose Direct Energy

A smarter, safer home

25 energy-efficient tips for lower electricity costs

Download the app

Reduce Your Use® and get rewarded

Reduce your use when demand is high

How does the Reduce Your Use program work?

It's free and easy to join, plus you get a $25 bill credit just for signing up!

Choose your smart thermostat

Google Nest

Honeywell Home

Emerson Sensi

Don't have a smart thermostat?

Frequently asked questions

What is the Direct Energy Reduce Your Use program?

How does the Reduce Your Use program work?

What is required to participate in the Reduce Your Use program?

What should I expect when a Reduce Your Use event occurs?

How do I know that a Reduce Your Use event is taking place?

How do I opt out of a Reduce Your Use event?

Do Reduce Your Use events happen all year long?

Will participation in the Reduce Your Use program affect my enrollment in my current Direct Energy plan?

How do I cancel my Reduce Your Use program enrollment?

Reduce your use, save money and help conserve energy. Simply sign up with your thermostat to get started.

Terms & conditions