Thermostat program design template

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Every decision your utility needs to make to launch a smart thermostat program. Not all of these may apply to your program; this is meant to be a guide for questions to align on with your program needs.

1. Program basics

Item	What we need	Your answer
Utility name	As customers know you. It's shown on the program page and in partner apps
Program name	Shown on your program page and to customers in partner apps
Program description	Up to three sentences customers will see: what the program does, what they earn, and how they stay in control
Utility logo	A .png or .jpg for the program page and partner apps
Primary contact	Name and email for program decisions
Billing / credits contact	Who applies customer incentives or bill credits
State(s) and time zone	Where the program is offered, and the time zone used to schedule events
Target launch date	When you want to begin enrolling customers
Program term	Ongoing, or a fixed end date
Program page URL	Where customers will learn about the program on your website

2. Program type and goals

Decision	Standard	Options
How homes join	—	Customers enroll their own thermostats through Texture
Thermostat brands	—	Which brands customers can enroll, for example ecobee and other supported thermostats
Use cases	—	Peak load shift; offsetting pre-conditioning or snapback; load shaping alongside other demand-side programs; distribution relief; grid emergencies
Participation goal	—	Number of homes or thermostats you're aiming for
Participation or budget cap	—	Any limit on devices or program spend

3. Eligibility

Decision	Standard	Options
Device ownership	—	Bring your own (customers enroll a thermostat they already have); program-provided thermostats (your utility provides or installs them); or a mix. Either can be run with an aggregator
Service territory	—	Every ZIP code in your territory, marked as unique to you or shared with another utility
How applications are checked	—	By account number, service address, or ZIP code. service address matching, ZIP code match (homes in ZIP codes only you serve), or a combination
Rate (tariff) requirement	—	None, or a specific rate such as time-of-use
Address matching details	—	If matching addresses: who does the matching, when the service address file will be ready, and how often you'll send an updated file
HVAC systems included	—	Central air conditioning, heat pumps, electric resistance heat. Summer-peaking programs usually target AC and heat pumps; winter-peaking programs may target electric resistance heat
Targeting events by area	—	Whether you need events limited to certain areas or customer groups.

4. Incentives

Thermostat programs usually pay a one-time incentive when a customer joins, and an ongoing incentive for taking part. Amounts depend on your program's economic goals.

Decision	Standard	Options
Enrollment incentive	—	One-time amount when a customer joins, or none
Ongoing incentive	—	Monthly, seasonal, or per event. Decide what earns it, for example taking part in the season's events
How incentives are paid	—	Bill credit, check, rebate, or gift card
Incentive cap	—	None, a fixed dollar cap, or a cap per device

5. Event details

Decision	Standard	Options
Season	—	Summer only, winter only, or year-round
Kinds of events	—	Demand response events you call on high-demand days; grid emergency events, called only on agreed triggers (for example an emergency alert level)
Emergency triggers	—	If you use grid emergency events: the alerts or conditions that allow you to call one
Maximum events	—	Per month or per season
Event length	—	Typical and maximum duration.
Time of day	—	Any time, or specific windows (for example 4–9 pm)
Customer notice	—	Day-ahead notice, or no notice
Pre-conditioning	—	Whether homes may pre-cool or pre-heat before an event, which makes events more comfortable but adds load beforehand
Customer overrides	—	Customers can change their thermostat during an event. Decide what that means for their incentive

6. Measurement and verification

Decision	Standard	Options
HVAC system size (kW)	—	If you've already set a typical system size for your territory
Third-party evaluation	—	Whether you expect an independent evaluation of the first season
Type of evaluation	—	Runtime-based (thermostat data), AMI-based (meter data), or both. For runtime-based, which homes are included; for AMI-based, which events need meter data
Evaluator	—	Name of the firm doing the evaluation, if known

7. Enrollment and customer experience

Decision	Standard	Options
Enrollment path	Your website links to the Texture-hosted program page and enrollment form
Terms and conditions	Standard program terms hosted by Texture	Your own terms
Details for your website	Incentive amounts, eligibility, and who to contact	—
Program marketing	Your utility	Your utility, the device maker, or both
Customer support contact	—	Who customers contact with questions about the program and their incentives
Customer communications	Your utility's channels	Newsletter, bill insert, email, social

8. Fit check

Check any statement that applies so we can talk through options before launch.

☐ We need to call events for specific areas smaller than a ZIP code, such as a substation or feeder.

☐ We want to provide or install thermostats for customers rather than enroll the ones they already own.

☐ We need an independent evaluation of the first season.

☐ We want our own terms and conditions rather than standard program terms.

☐ Our territory shares ZIP codes with another utility, and we don't yet have a service address file.

None checked

You're ready for the standard program.

Any checked

We'll talk through options with you. Some are quick to handle; others shape the program design or the timeline.