Home thermostats, specifically the smart home thermostat, should come with a warning label. It seems, if a homeowner signs up for certain energy saving programs, the fine print gives the energy company the right to go in remotely and change your home temperature without your say so …
Yes folks, you read that correctly. Out here in Colorado, Xcel Energy decided the best way to conserve energy was to lock 22,000 customers out of their thermostats. Temperatures of 90+ degrees, something we see here in Colorado EVERY SINGLE SUMMER, was enough for Xcel to arbitrarily lock customers out of their thermostats and set the temps to 78 degrees.
The fine print evidently gives Xcel control when the company deems it necessary. Evidently, not planning ahead to have backup systems (Texas ice storm anyone?) when one goes offline, gives the company the “authority” to change the temperatures in your own home.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member