Smart Home
What is an Active Savings Event?
Energy companies have programs that their customers can enroll in to reduce energy consumption and save money. These programs allow the energy company to schedule Active Savings Events. During these events, the energy company will adjust your set point to reduce energy consumption.
Notifications for Active or Upcoming Savings Events will be displayed in the Sensi app and on the Sensi thermostat.
Active Savings Events
There are two types of Active Savings Events: Temperature based and Cycling based. Both types of events reduce your system runtime to reduce your energy consumption. There may be a pre-cooling/pre-heating period before the event to cool/heat your home down to ensure you stay comfortable during the event.
Temperature Events
During these events, the energy company will adjust your temperature set point to reduce energy consumption. Then your set point will be adjusted higher (for a cooling season event) or lower (for a heating season event) to limit system runtime.
Optimized Schedules
Some energy programs have specific schedules set up to optimize your energy usage throughout the day. Schedules are an efficient way to manage your energy usage. If you'd like to make a change, adjusting your set point will place a temporary hold for that set point. If you try to toggle Schedule Off, your schedule may be toggled back on for the program. If you don't want to have your Schedule On all the time, you can talk with your energy provider to learn more or opt out of the program.
Cycle Events
During these events, your energy company will restrict how much time your system can run in each 30 minute period. Your system will run for the allotted time specified by your energy provider during those periods, and because of the time limit your set point may not be reached.
Mandatory Events
For most events you will be able to opt out by adjusting the set point in the Sensi app or on the thermostat. Learn more about opting out here.
However, if you are in a Mandatory Event, you will be unable to opt out, and will have to let the Event run its course. If you have questions about these Mandatory Events, contact your energy company. Their contact information can usually be found on the program email that you received when you opted into this.
Mandatory Events can be Temperature Events or Cycle Events.
How do I opt out of an Event?
If you are not in a Mandatory Event, learn more about opting out in our other article.
How do I know if I’m in an Event?
If your energy company has scheduled an Active Savings Event, you’ll be able to open the Sensi app and see if an event is upcoming as well as a notification if you’re actively in an event.
On the Sensi app, if you’re currently in an event, you’ll see notifications on each thermostat that says “Active Savings Events,” along with the time that the event will end.
Active Events will also be displayed on the thermostat itself.
