Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference

Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference

When you join the Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats program, you can earn a bill credit by automatically conserving energy when it’s needed most. It’s free and easy to enroll.

Enroll now
Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference

Earn a bill credit with Degrees of Difference

When you join the Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats program, you can earn a bill credit by automatically conserving energy when it’s needed most. It’s free and easy to enroll.

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Lower your usage and earn bill credits without lifting a finger1

To enroll, all you need is a compatible smart thermostat.2 Get started in a few easy steps to effortlessly conserve energy and earn rewards.

Enroll now

How Degrees of Difference works

Compatible smart thermostats:

vivint logo
Google nest logo
honeywell logo
sensi logo

Why join Degrees of Difference?

Free and easy to enroll

Simply link your smart thermostat in a few quick steps and we’ll take it from there

Earn bill credits

Earn bill credits by participating in Degrees of Difference events

You're in control

The choice to participate is always yours. Opt out of any event by adjusting your thermostat

Improve grid reliability

Participating in Degrees of Difference events may help improve grid reliability

Enroll now

Use a little less to make a big difference

In 2024, Reliant customers enrolled in Degrees of Difference helped offset the same amount of CO2 that's stored by 208 acres of U.S. forests. That's the size of 158 football fields!

Frequently asked questions

Show all answers

Degrees of Difference is a free energy management program that can reward you with an annual $40 bill credit when you help reduce electricity usage during periods of high electricity demand.3 Once you enroll and your smart thermostat is connected to the program, your thermostat will automatically adjust during a Degrees of Difference event to help reduce electricity use. 

Events can be called at any time during the year. They will last no longer than 4 hours and your thermostat will be adjusted by no more than 4 degrees. Rest assured—you’re always in control and can opt out of an event at any time by changing the temperature on your thermostat.

You must meet the following requirements to participate in Degrees of Difference:

  • You must be a Reliant electricity account holder at the time of any Demand Response Program event.
  • You must have an operable and eligible thermostat manufactured by Vivint, Google Nest, Sensi, Honeywell or another manufacturer authorized and approved by Reliant (an “Eligible Thermostat”) controlling an HVAC system at the account service address.
  • You must have an active electricity Smart Meter at the electricity account service address.
  • The Eligible Thermostat must be connected to an active Wi-Fi network at the electricity account service address.
  • The Eligible Thermostat must be installed and registered according to the manufacturer’s process.
  • You must complete Reliant’s online enrollment process for participation in the Demand Response Program, which can be accessed here.

You must agree to the Reliant Degrees of Difference Smart Thermostat Program Terms & Conditions.

A Degrees of Difference event is an instance where participating thermostats will be remotely adjusted by no more than 4 degrees to help reduce electricity usage and then return to their original settings after the event is over. Events can be called year-round and may last for up to 4 hours. Rest assured, you’re always in control and can opt out at any time by changing the temperature on your thermostat.

Degrees of Difference events can be called at any time of the year. There can also be more than one Degrees of Difference event per day. Events are more likely to happen during the summer and winter months, when electricity demand is typically higher.

If there is an ERCOT-issued energy emergency event, Reliant may need to call a critical Degrees of Difference event, which may occur at any time of day.

Yes, if you have an eligible smart thermostat from Vivint, Google Nest, Honeywell Home, Sensi or another manufacturer authorized by Reliant, you can join the Degrees of Difference Smart Thermostat Program. Your enrollment in the Manual Thermostats program will automatically be canceled upon your enrollment in the Degrees of Difference Smart Thermostat Program, along with any future bill credits or other incentives associated with the Manual Thermostats program.

Depending on your smart thermostat, notifications may appear on the smart thermostat display or in its mobile app when a Degrees of Difference Smart Thermostat Program event is in progress.

You can override the modified temperatures at any point by changing the temperature directly on your smart thermostat or in its app.

No, your electricity plan will remain unchanged. Additionally, you can cancel your enrollment in the Degrees of Difference program at any time, and there is no early termination fee.

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Terms and conditions

1 To receive the bill credit, you must participate in at least 50% of total demand response event hours, and no less than one demand response event, in any Program Year (first Program Year will be measured from date of enrollment). Your participation will be measured based on your performance during eligible event hours, rounded to the nearest minute. Program Years run from November 1 to October 31. Bill credit will be applied to your Reliant account within two billing cycles of the Program Year end date. Reliant account must be active at the time of the bill credit award to receive the credit; credits are non-transferrable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Reliant may offer future bill credit promotions for participation in subsequent Program Years; offer terms are subject to change.

2 Eligible Google Nest thermostats include: Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd & 4th Generation), Nest Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E. Eligible Honeywell thermostats include: VisionPRO 8000 with RedLINK Gateway, VisionPRO 8000 Smart, 9000 Smart, Prestige IAQ, T10+ Pro Smart with RedLINK 3.0, T6 Pro Smart, S200 FocusPRO Smart, X8S Smart Thermostat, X8Q Smart Thermostat, X7S Smart Thermostat, X7B Smart Thermostat, T5 Smart, T9 Smart, X2S Smart, ElitePRO S900 Smart Thermostat, ElitePRO S1000 Smart Thermostat, ElitePRO S1100 Smart Thermostat, ElitePRO S1200 Smart Thermostat. Sensi thermostats include: Sensi Smart Thermostat, Sensi Lite Smart Thermostat, Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat, Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat. Vivint thermostats include: Vivint Element V2 Smart Thermostat, Vivint Element V2.5 Smart Thermostat. Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats Program is not available to customers enrolled in prepaid electricity plans. Must be enrolled in the Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats Program and have an eligible smart thermostat connected to Wi-Fi. Program terms and conditions apply. Enrollment in the Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats Program will result in the termination of any existing enrollment in the Degrees of Difference with Manual Thermostats Program (including termination of bill credits under the Degrees of Difference with Manual Thermostats Program).

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

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