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BYOD Frequently Asked Questions

The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program is RPU’s voluntary demand response program designed to encourage reduced electricity usage during periods of high demand. The program supports environmental sustainability and enhances the reliability of the electrical grid. 

Participants consent to brief, limited Peak Savings Events during which thermostat settings may be adjusted during periods of peak electric demand between May 1 and September 30. These events typically occur on very hot days but may also be initiated under other conditions to reduce strain on the electrical grid. 

  • Participation enables RPU to utilize advanced technologies that help manage energy demand during peak usage periods.
  • The program reduces peak demand, alleviating stress on the electrical grid during periods of high usage.
  • Reduced peak demand can lower overall energy costs, with savings passed on to RPU customers. 

RPU electric customers who have installed a qualifying Amazon, ecobee, Google Nest, or Honeywell Home smart thermostat that controls a central air conditioning or heat pump system may be eligible to participate. 

To be eligible for enrollment, the customer must meet the following requirements: 

  • Be an RPU residential or small general service electric customer.
  • Use a smart thermostat to control a central air conditioning or heat pump system.
  • Have an eligible thermostat installed (view the BYOD qualifying thermostats list). 

Eligible participants receive a one-time $50 enrollment incentive in the form of a bill credit and must remain enrolled in the program for 12 consecutive months. This enrollment incentive is applied to the customer’s RPU electric bill within four to six weeks following program approval. Only one incentive is available per account and per service location. 

There is also a year-end incentive for each summer season that a customer is enrolled in the BYOD Program. Customers who remain enrolled throughout an entire summer season are eligible to receive a $25 participation incentive per year. This incentive is applied as a bill credit during November or December. 

Yes. Customers may enroll more than one qualifying Amazon, ecobee, Honeywell Home, or Google Nest thermostat at a single service location. 

No. Incentives are limited to one per account and per service location, regardless of the number of enrolled thermostats. 

The full BYOD Program Terms & Conditions are available on the BYOD Terms & Conditions page. 

  • The customer is an RPU residential or small general service electric customer.
  • The customer’s thermostat controls a central air conditioning or heat pump system.
  • The customer agrees to participate in Peak Savings Events on high-energy usage days. 

After confirming eligibility, visit the BYOD Qualifying Thermostats page to select an eligible thermostat model and enroll by visiting the Bring Your Own Device program. This will lead customers to their thermostat’s enrollment site where they can follow a series of simple steps to enroll in the BYOD Program. 

Once eligibility is confirmed by RPU, enrollment is completed and notification of a customer’s eligibility status is sent via email. 

Enrolled customers receive Peak Savings Event notifications either through RPU’s customer web portal, email, SMS, or via the smart thermostat manufacturer’s mobile application or thermostat interface. 

  • At the start of a Peak Savings Event, thermostat settings are automatically adjusted by two (2) to four (4) degrees above the current setting.
  • Events typically last one (1) to four (4) hours and may occur anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • After a Peak Savings Event concludes, the thermostat returns to its normal set point or programmed schedule.
  • In some cases, thermostats may be adjusted downward by two degrees prior to an event to pre-cool the residence or business.
  • Customers may opt out of a Peak Savings Event at any time using their thermostat, mobile device, or web browser. For most devices, opting out of pre-cooling also opts the customer out of the associated Peak Savings Event. 

Peak Savings Events result in temporary, minor temperature adjustments designed to minimize comfort impacts. Customers can easily opt out of any event at any time, for any reason without penalty. 

Customers may request unenrollment from the BYOD Program by emailing RPU Programs at rpuprograms@rpu.org or calling 507-280-1537. Unenrollment applies to all thermostats associated with the customer’s account. 

For additional information, customers may email RPU Programs at rpuprograms@rpu.org or call 507-280-1537. 

Contact Us

RPU Service Center

4000 East River Rd NE
Rochester, MN, 55906

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RPU Service Center Lobby Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

RPU Customer Care by phone: 507-280-1500
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

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