York Electric’s Smart Thermostat Program offers members the opportunity to purchase an ecobee3 lite or ecobee4 smart thermostat at a discounted rate. As a participant, the member will allow the cooperative to control the thermostat during peak periods, saving money and energy for everyone. See FAQs at the bottom of this page for more information about when and how your cooperative will control the thermostat.
Although members may override the thermostat controls, the less you do so the more you save, including receiving an annual bill credit: If a participant overrides 30-percent or fewer of the load control events during a 12-month period of connection, the member will be credited $100.00 the 1st year and $50.00 the 2nd year and each year going forward. Those savings can add up fast!
It’s Easy to Get Started
- Complete and sign the participation agreement (PDF download below) and bring it into our York headquarters or Fort Mill office to purchase the thermostat of your choice; see options below.
- Or apply online here
[PDF] YEC ecobee Smart Thermostat Agreement
110 kb 327 downloads
As part of the program, you can purchase your ecobee thermostat at York Electric’s headquarters or Fort Mill office and receive a deep discount on either of the following smart thermostats:
ecobee3 “Lite”
MSRP: $169
YEC: $85 – Half the retail price!
Details at ecobee3 Retail Site
[PDF] ecobee3 Lite Quick Setup Guide
900 kb 20 downloads
ecobee4 “Smart” (with Alexa)
MSRP: $249
YEC: $145 – Over $100 discount!
Details at ecobee4 Retail Site
[PDF] ecobee Voice Control Quick Setup Guide
975 kb 24 downloads
After purchasing the thermostat of your choice in the office or online, a YEC member service representative will provide you with an installation rebate form with a prepaid postage envelope to return. Upon receiving the completed rebate form, receipt from your installation and verifying that your new system is online, we will provide you with a $75 bill credit.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please call us (803) 684-4248 or email
Smart Thermostat FAQ
When the cooperative purchases power, energy at those peak hours is more expensive. The more we can cut down on how much energy is used during those periods, the lower our power bill will be. We will use that savings to hold down costs for our members.
You’ll be notified of control during peak times on the device’s display with an option to override. You can override control up to 30 percent of the time. If you were to exceed 30 percent, a member is not eligible for participation credit per year.
About 5-6 times per month, the thermostat will be adjusted remotely based on system-wide peak periods.
The events will be 4 hours total, which includes a one-hour pre-cool/pre-heat period and three hours of peak-saving adjustment. The control will follow this pattern:
Pre-cooling/pre-heating: +/- 2 degrees
First hour: +/- 2 degrees
Second hour: +/- 3 degrees
Third hour: +/- 4 degrees
SUMMER EXAMPLE
If you normally have your thermostat set to 75, a typical control event beginning at 3 p.m. would look like this:
3:00-4:00 p.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 73
4:00-5:00 p.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 77
5:00-6:00 p.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 78
6:00-7:00 p.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 79
After 7 p.m.: Thermostat returns to 75, control relinquished
WINTER EXAMPLE
If you normally have your thermostat set to 67, a typical control event beginning at 6 a.m. would look like this:
6:00-7:00 a.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 69
7:00-8:00 a.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 65
8:00-9:00 a.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 64
9:00-10:00 a.m.: Thermostat adjusted to 63
After 10 a.m.: Thermostat returns to 67, control relinquished
The ecobee4 has Amazon Alexa built-in. It is voice-activated and has many of the features that come with Amazon Echo devices. The ecobee4 also comes with an added room sensor to provide more effective cooling and heating.
York Electric members can purchase the ecobee3 Lite and/or the ecobee4 smart thermostats. Both have digital touchscreen displays and both can be controlled and scheduled using a computer or device (phone or tablet).
A smart thermostat is a programmable thermostat that connects to your home’s WiFi and gives you the ability to adjust your thermostat setting to fit your schedule and save energy.
- You must be a member of York Electric;
- You must sign the participation agreement;
- You must have an internet-connected, Wi-Fi enabled home.
York Electric’s smart thermostat program gives members the opportunity to purchase an ecobee smart thermostat at a discounted rate. By participating in the program, members will agree to allow the cooperative to control the thermostat during peak periods.
It’s easy to get started.
- Complete and sign the participation agreement (PDF download below) and bring it into our York headquarters or Fort Mill office to purchase the thermostat of your choice; see options below.
- Or apply online here
[PDF] YEC ecobee Smart Thermostat Agreement
110 kb 327 downloadsMembers who purchase a smart thermostat will need to participate in at least 70 percent of peak events throughout the year to receive $100 after one year. If you continue to participate in 70 percent of peak events, you will also receive $50 yearly.
Whomever you choose. After the thermostat is installed and we verify the signal, YEC will reimburse you $75 towards your installation cost. You will also be required to provide your receipt.
An ecobee3 lite will be discounted to $85 for YEC members, and an ecobee4 Smart Thermostat with Voice Control will be discounted to $145 for YEC members.
Any YEC residential members who have a reliable WiFi internet connection in their home.