Energy Shift

Energy Shift⁴ can work with your compatible Nest thermostat¹ to help you automatically prioritize use of cleaner² or less expensive energy³, and tune up your thermostat schedule to run efficiently in both summer and winter. You always remain in control and can change the temperature on your Nest thermostat at any time.

To adjust your Energy Shift preferences, log in to the Nest Renew portal in your web browser, then go to Settings Energy Shift Settings. You can return to the Nest Renew portal anytime to adjust these preferences.

Energy Shift currently includes the following:

• Prioritize cleaner energy works with your compatible Nest thermostat to help you automatically shift your heating and cooling usage to times when your power is cleaner.
• Prioritize cheaper energy can work with your compatible Nest thermostat to help you automatically prioritize use of less expensive electricity with your heating and cooling. 
• Rush Hour Rewards (RHR) is a separate program that Nest offers through utility partnerships. You can easily sign up alongside Nest Renew and Energy Shift. 
  • RHR helps the grid by helping you use less energy when everyone else is using more during peak times. You might also receive a financial incentive from your utility provider to join the program. 
  • If RHR is available in your area, you can get started with enrollment in the Energy Shift settings on the Nest Renew portal . 
  • To learn more about RHR, please visit Learn about Rush Hour Rewards.

How solar panels work with Energy Shift

Energy Shift⁴ works with your home's solar panels by helping to extend the positive impact you're already making. Your compatible Nest thermostat can prioritize energy usage when your local grid is cleaner² by shifting for EME or less expensive³ by shifting for TOU. 

When the power on your grid is less clean² like during peak times when EME is in use, Energy Shift can respond by making small adjustments to your thermostat that can help reduce your energy usage. More of your generated solar power can be fed back to the grid, further reducing your community's reliance on fossil fuel electricity sources.

How "prioritize cleaner energy" works

To prioritize cleaner energy, Energy Shift helps customers automatically adjust their Nest thermostat's temperature setting for short intervals of time (usually no more than 60 minutes) to shift your thermostat setpoint up on hotter days and shift it down on cooler days.

Depending on the time of day, your current setpoint, weather, or other relevant factors, Energy Shift may or may not  shift or reduce usage of electricity from your heating and cooling system. You always remain in control and can change your Nest thermostat temperature anytime and also disable this feature by going to the Nest Renew portal Settings  Energy Shift settings turn Prioritize cleaner energy off. 

How "prioritize cheaper energy" works

Nest Renew can use your Nest thermostat to prioritize cooling or heating when it’s less expensive³, if you have electric cooling, electric heating, or solar panels.

When demand for electricity is especially high, this is called a peak period. For instance, summer peak times are usually mid-to-late afternoon, when businesses still have cooling on and people are arriving home and turning on the air conditioner. Some utilities use peak pricing to incentivize customers to use less energy during these peak periods, such as time-of-use (TOU) or peak time savings.

You can adjust this setting in the Nest Renew portal and Energy Shift can work with your compatible Nest thermostat to help you automatically prioritize the usage of less expensive energy during peak times. The feature works by helping you automatically make small adjustments to your thermostat temperature set points.

You remain in control and can change your Nest thermostat temperature anytime and also disable this feature by going to the Nest Renew portal   Settings   Energy Shift settings turn Prioritize cheaper energy off. 

Depending on the time of day, your current setpoint, weather, or other relevant factors, Energy Shift may or may not cause in shifted or reduced usage of electricity from your heating and cooling system.

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^{1 Nest Renew requires 3rd or 4th generation Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E, or Nest Thermostat (sold separately), connected to a Google Account.}

^{2 Only available in areas served by major continental US grids, click here for more info.}

^{3 Only available for customers on certain electric utility time-of-use rates (check availability).}

^{4 Energy Shift makes small adjustments to your Nest thermostat setpoints which can shift electricity usage from your heating and cooling system.}