About the Pilot

PECO is exploring how smart home technology and related apps can help customers reduce energy use during periods of high demand. The PECO Connect2Home app leverages the Samsung SmartThings platform to connect and manage devices around the home. During periods of high demand, when usage tends to trend higher, customers are encouraged to reduce energy use.

Throughout the pilot, PECO will identify periods of high demand and ask customers to reduce their energy usage, either automatically or manually, during specially designated “Energy Saving Hours”. Energy Saving Hours will typically occur from 2:00pm – 6:00pm from Monday to Friday. The pilot will offer customers an opportunity to save energy during two 10-day periods. These will take place from January 5-16, 2026, and from February 2-13, 2026. Weekends are excluded.

Pilot participants can save energy two ways during Energy Saving Hours: Automatically or Manually through the app. When customers choose AUTOMATIC, they opt for PECO to adjust devices for them. For those who prefer a more MANUAL approach, they can elect to participate in energy savings manually by controlling devices themselves through the app when notified.

Utilities often run pilot programs with a limited number of customers to test technologies or program designs before they roll them out to all customers. In many cases, the utility works with the Public Utility Commission to make sure that customers have a positive experience and clearly defined benefits.

Because this is a new app and the first time that PECO is using smart home technology specifically for the purposes of reducing energy use during periods of high or peak demand, this program will run for a limited time, January and February 2026, for a limited number of customers who volunteer.

Lastly, when PECO customers agree to participate in this pilot, they agree to have PECO and its partners analyze their energy usage data. Analysis will be recorded anonymously, and no personal energy usage information will be published or shared externally.

For this pilot, PECO is recruiting customers that have all electric or hybrid electric heating. Customers must have Wi-Fi at home and access to a smart phone or tablet device that can download the Connect2Home app.

The new PECO Connect2Home app uses the Samsung SmartThings platform to adjust devices in the home. To use the PECO Connect2Home app, customers must first download the Samsung SmartThings app and connect their devices. The pilot team will provide instructions and technical support to all pilot participants.

Once participants have connected their PECO Connect2Home app to Samsung SmartThings app, they will only use the Connect2Home app moving forward. The app allows customers to connect and manage devices in their home, so, when necessary, they can easily reduce their energy use.

Customers who sign up for the PECO Connect2Home pilot are agreeing to reduce energy use during specially designated Energy Saving Hours periods throughout the winter. This is typically done by lowering the thermostat by 2 degrees. It could also mean lowering the temperature of an electric water heater by 2 degrees or delaying an electric dryer load until after the peak period. Energy Saving Hours typically last from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. Customers can opt out or override automatically adjusted settings at any time.

Customers will be asked to participate in daily Energy Saving Hours periods that run from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. Customers can participate for up to 10 days at a time during January and February. Participants receive $5 in gift cards for each day they participate, plus a $20 gift card at sign up when they successfully connect devices to the Connect2Home app.

Participation is voluntary for each daily Energy Saving Hours period. If participants choose to override their smart devices, they will not receive compensation for that day.  

Once customers have successfully set up their PECO Connect2Home app, they will receive information about how to select their method of participation during Energy Saving Hours. The options are Automatic or Manual. Customers can switch from one mode to the other at any time. When customers sign up for Automatic, they opt to allow PECO to adjust devices connected to the app. When customers select Manual, they will receive notifications and instructions on how to take action during Energy Saving Hours opportunities (for example, lower the temperature on the thermostat).