Peak Rewards for Smart Homes makes it easy to earn rewards. Simply enroll an eligible smart device in the program and you’ll automatically start earning rewards each quarter. We communicate directly with your device to make small adjustments that keep you comfortable and earn you rewards. You are always in control and can override our signals when needed.
Peak Rewards for Smart Homes is the smart device option of the Peak Rewards program. Enroll an eligible device and you’ll automatically start earning credits on your electricity bill. Smart devices are Wi-Fi–connected appliances that can be controlled remotely, such as smart thermostats, EV chargers, or battery storage systems.
After you enroll, there’s nothing else you need to do. When a Peak Rewards Event occurs, you’ll get an alert, typically 24 hours in advance, with the date and time of the event. During the event, we work with your device provider to make small adjustments that help save energy and lower costs.
Your devices will make slight changes such as adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees, pausing EV charging for a short time, or using stored battery power instead of electricity from the grid. You’re always in control—SJCE will never lock your devices. You’ll get a notification and can override the changes anytime.
If your device reduces energy use during the event, you earn rewards! However, there’s no penalty if you don’t reduce energy usage.
There are different smart devices that are eligible for this program. Each device category works a little differently:
Eligible Smart Devices |
How it Works |
Device Participation Schedule |
| Thermostats | Your smart thermostat will automatically be adjusted, typically by 2-4 degrees. You can always override the change and SJCE will never lock thermostats. | Your smart thermostat will automatically adjust for 2-4 hours at a time. This will typically happen 3-4 times per month (up to 80 hours per year) in response to a Peak Rewards Alert. |
| EV Managed Charging | Your EV charging will automatically be adjusted to charge outside of peak hours. You can always override the change. | Your EV charging will be automatically paused or reduced for 2-4 hours during each Peak Rewards Event. This will typically happen 3-4 times per month (up to 80 hours per year). |
| Midday Charging Bonus (add-on to EV Managed Charging, currently only supported by Optiwatt) | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Battery Storage (Coming soon) | Your battery will automatically be used to reduce your net energy usage, there is no need to adjust settings manually. Only 80% of your battery will be used. | Your battery will automatically be used every day during hours when energy is needed most. You will save money on your bill and get paid. |
| Heat Pump Water Heaters | Coming soon | Coming soon |
Peak Rewards for Smart Homes works slightly different than the other Peak Rewards programs. Each smart device program has a set payment amount:
If there is a grid emergency, you may be able to earn additional rewards for adjusting your thermostat further to save even more energy. Keep an eye on future alerts for more information.
| Quarterly payment | $8.75 ($35 per year) | Paid automatically, as long as device participates in at least half of the Peak Rewards Events for the quarter. |
| Managed Charging | Enrollment bonus | $25 | Paid automatically after you sign up with your device. The device must not be enrolled in another DR or managed charging program. |
| Quarterly payment | $3/month (paid quarterly) | Paid automatically following each program quarter, as long as you participate and shift your charging during all events. |
| Battery Optimization (Coming Soon) | Enrollment bonus | $10/kWh enrolled in Peak Rewards ($120 for a 15-kWh battery) | Paid automatically after you sign up with your device. The device must not be enrolled in another DR or battery management program. |
| Quarterly payment | $0.13/kWh ($143 per quarter for a 15-kWh battery) | Paid automatically following each program quarter based on the size of the battery system being dispatched. |
*If you received a battery storage rebate through SJCE’s EcoHome Rebate Program, these incentives will be in addition to the rebate.
Ready to start earning rewards with your smart device? Select your device brand below to get started.
EV Managed Charging
SJCE has a partnership with Uplight to run the Peak Rewards for Smart Homes program.
Questions? Check out our FAQs below or contact us at peak-rewards@sanjoseca.gov or (844) 326-5217.
What is Peak Rewards?
Peak Rewards is San José Clean Energy’s (SJCE) demand response program. SJCE will pay you to reduce energy use on a few times per month, usually during peak times. An Alert may be triggered for a specific time to prevent stress on the electricity grid. Stress on the grid is generally caused by high demand or short supply and can lead to reduced grid reliability or, in the most dire cases, rotating outages.
What is Peak Rewards for Smart Homes?
Peak Rewards for Smart Homes is the smart device option under the Peak Rewards program. Customers can enroll in Peak Rewards for Smart Homes with their eligible Wi-Fi connected device. Once your device is enrolled, no further action is necessary. We will notify your device provider to temporarily adjust the device to reduce energy usage if a Peak Rewards Alert is issued. It’s that easy!
Who can sign up?
Any SJCE residential customer with an active PG&E smart meter and an eligible connected smart device can sign up for Peak Rewards for Smart Homes.
How and when will I be notified about a Peak Rewards opportunity?
A notification will be delivered to your device’s smart phone app or the device display. However, no action is required on your part during a Peak Rewards Alert. Your device will automatically participate, and the event is managed for you. You are always in control of the comfort of your home, and SJCE will never lock thermostats. If you prefer not to participate in an event, you have the option to override the settings. You can easily do this through the app or your device settings.
When will I get paid for Peak Rewards?
Any sign-up bonuses or referral bonuses for Peak Rewards will be provided within 4-6 weeks upon acceptance of your enrollment. They will be in the form of an electronic prepaid MasterCard® emailed to you at the email provided at the time of enrollment.
Rewards earned throughout the season for responding to Peak Rewards Alerts will be applied as bill credits on your PG&E electricity bills on a quarterly basis. The credits will typically be applied within 4-6 weeks of the quarter end. Depending on your billing cycle, your Peak Rewards credits may take a little longer to show up. If you received a notification for earned credits from SJCE and more than 3 months have passed, please contact peak-rewards@sanjoseca.gov or 844-326-5217.
Can I also be enrolled in other demand response programs like OhmConnect, Voltus, or a PG&E Program?
No, your account can only be enrolled in one demand response program at a time. To participate in Peak Rewards, you must unenroll from any other demand response programs. If you need help unenrolling from your current program, reach out to your current program provider.
What if I do not save energy during the time specified by the Peak Rewards Alert?
There are no penalties for not saving energy in response to an alert, but SJCE may withhold payment for a given quarter if you opt out of all events during that quarter. SJCE may also elect to terminate your enrollment if there is a clear trend of non-participation after several quarters.
What if I don’t want to participate during the time specified by the Peak Rewards Alert?
You will always have the option to override one of our signals and there are no penalties for not saving energy. You will have more opportunities to participate in future Peak Reward Events. If you plan to opt out of all future events, we recommend informing us at peak-rewards@sanjoseca.gov or by calling (844) 326-5217 so that we can unenroll you from the program.
Do my rewards expire?
Rewards do not expire and will be automatically applied to your PG&E bill following every Peak Rewards season. However, if you received a prepaid MasterCard® for a referral or signup reward, the card itself may have an expiration date, which is usually 6 months after redeeming. You can request a 6-month extension before it expires by contacting the support linked in the prepaid MasterCard® email.
Who is Uplight?
Uplight is San José Clean Energy’s implementer for the Peak Rewards Program. They host the FlexSaver portal where you can see your results and they also send out all Peak Rewards Alerts and notifications. They work with dozens of partners to ensure we can support as many of your smart devices as possible in our program.
Why would I choose Peak Rewards over a program like PG&E’s power saver rewards?
The Peak Rewards Program allows you to have a positive impact on your local community. It is designed to provide value to the residents and businesses in San José. Peak Rewards has a lower threshold for determining when to call an energy-saving event than the PG&E Power Saver Rewards Program, meaning that if a PG&E Power Saver Rewards event is called, it’s very likely that there will also be a Peak Rewards Alert issued, and you will not miss out on value.
Can I enroll more than one device in this program?
Yes, you can enroll more than one eligible device in the Peak Rewards for Smart Homes Program. You must register each device and comply with the program’s terms and conditions to receive the financial incentives. While you can enroll all of your supported devices, you will not be able to claim more than one bonus for the same device category.
Can I be enrolled in both Peak Rewards for All and Peak Rewards for Smart Homes?
No, your PG&E account can only be enrolled in one Peak Rewards program at the same time. You may enroll your eligible device(s) in the Peak Rewards for Smart Homes program or enroll in Peak Rewards for All. If you own a business, you should enroll in Peak Rewards for Business.
I do not currently own any of the eligible technologies. Can I still participate in Peak Rewards?
If you don’t have any of the eligible devices but would like to participate, you may qualify for Peak Rewards for All, the behavioral option under the Peak Rewards Program. Customers enrolled in Peak Rewards for All can earn rewards by manually turning off lights, electric appliances, and other energy uses throughout the home each month during times specified by Peak Rewards Alerts. Please visit the program webpage for more information.
How do I unenroll from the program?
You may unenroll in the Peak Rewards for Smart Homes by contacting Uplight customer support by email at peak-rewards@sanjoseca.gov gov or by phone at (844) 326-5217.
How will my smart thermostat be used during a Peak Rewards Event?
Your smart thermostat will automatically be adjusted, typically by 2-4 degrees, depending on the model of thermostat or the settings you have selected. You are always in control of the comfort of your home, and SJCE will never lock thermostats. In preparation for the Peak Rewards Event, your thermostat may “pre-cool” or “pre-heat” so that you are more comfortable for the duration of the Peak Rewards Event. Once the event is over, your thermostat will default back to your regular schedule. Some thermostats come with the option for you to choose the exact temperature adjustments in the app.
Depending on your preference settings and the brand of thermostat, you may get a notification up to 60 minutes before the Event via your smart phone app and/or device display.
You can always override the settings before or during a Peak Rewards Event by manually adjusting your thermostat.
Does my existing thermostat qualify?
SJCE’s Peak Rewards Program currently supports the following Smart Thermostats
Google Nest
Sensi
What if my request to enroll my existing thermostat is declined?
If inaccurate customer or account information is provided during the sign-up process, it can result in a failed enrollment. If this happens, you may be notified by your manufacturer or by the program of what went wrong. If you need additional assistance signing up, you may contact Uplight by emailing customer support at peak-rewards@sanjoseca.gov or by calling (844) 326-5217.
Why am I not getting a quarterly incentive for EV Managed Charging if I do most of my charging during off peak?
Your performance in our EV Managed Charging program is based on how much your charging load drops during the timeframe specified in the Peak Rewards Alert. If you do not typically charge during peak hours, there is no energy to shift. However, you are paying lower electricity rates overnight therefore saving more than $9 per quarter.
What happens if I override a Managed Charging event?
You’re always in control. Incentives for EV Managed Charging are based on performance, so if override signals during a Managed Charging Event, you may not receive the full incentive amount.
