What is OhmConnect?
OhmConnect is a platform that connects you to the energy market and rewards you for reducing your energy consumption during peak demand hours. OhmConnect was founded in 2014 by Curtis Tongue and Matt Duesterberg, two entrepreneurs who wanted to make energy saving fun and rewarding for everyone.
OhmConnect works by monitoring the energy grid and sending you alerts when the grid is stressed or dirty. These alerts are called “OhmHours,” and they usually occur once or twice a week, for an hour or less. During an OhmHour, you are asked to reduce your energy usage by turning off lights, appliances, or devices, or by shifting your usage to another time. By doing so, you help reduce the demand for energy and prevent the grid from using dirty power plants.
OhmConnect rewards you for saving energy by giving you points that can be redeemed for cash or prizes. The amount of points you earn depends on how much energy you save compared to your baseline, which is calculated based on your average usage before joining OhmConnect. The more energy you save, the more points you earn.
OhmConnect is free to join and use, and there is no risk or obligation involved. You can choose to participate or opt out of any OhmHour, and you can cancel your account anytime. OhmConnect also offers a referral program, where you can earn additional rewards by inviting your friends and family to join.
OhmConnect Features
Demand Response Technology:
OhmConnect operates on the concept of demand response, wherein users voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption during peak demand hours. This helps prevent the need for additional power plants to come online, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Smart Device Integration:
OhmConnect integrates with various smart devices, such as thermostats, smart plugs, and connected appliances. This allows users to automate and optimize their energy-saving efforts, making it convenient and effortless.
Real-Time Energy Insights:
Users receive real-time insights into their energy usage, allowing them to understand patterns and make informed decisions about when and how to reduce consumption. This awareness is crucial for effective energy conservation.
Reward System:
OhmConnect rewards users for their energy-saving actions. Points earned through reducing consumption during peak hours can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, or charitable donations. This gamified approach adds an element of fun and motivation to the process.
Community Engagement:
OhmConnect fosters a sense of community by allowing users to join teams or connect with friends and family. This social aspect not only encourages friendly competition but also amplifies the impact of collective energy savings.
Environmental Impact:
Users can track the environmental impact of their energy-saving actions. OhmConnect provides data on the reduction in carbon emissions and the positive contribution users are making toward a more sustainable future.
Real-Time Feedback
OhmConnect provides real-time feedback on your energy usage and savings. You can see how much energy you are using and saving during an OhmHour, and how many points you are earning. You can also see your energy usage and savings history, and compare your performance with other users.
Personalized Tips
OhmConnect provides personalized tips and suggestions on how to save more energy and earn more points. You can get tips on how to prepare for an OhmHour, what devices to turn off or unplug, and how to adjust your thermostat. You can also get tips on how to improve your baseline, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lower your points.
Smart Devices
OhmConnect works with smart devices, such as smart plugs, thermostats, and electric vehicles, to automate your energy savings. You can connect your smart devices to OhmConnect, and let them turn off or adjust automatically during an OhmHour. This way, you can save energy and earn points without lifting a finger.
Rewards
OhmConnect rewards you for saving energy by giving you points that can be redeemed for cash or prizes. You can redeem your points for cash via PayPal, or for gift cards, products, or experiences from various partners. You can also use your points to enter sweepstakes, where you can win prizes such as cash, gadgets, or trips.
OhmConnect Pricing
OhmConnect is free to join and use, and there is no cost or fee involved. You can sign up for OhmConnect with your email address, or with your Facebook or Google account. You can also link your utility account to OhmConnect, to verify your energy usage and savings. OhmConnect currently supports the following utilities:
– Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
– Southern California Edison (SCE)
– San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
– Toronto Hydro
– Hydro Ottawa
If you do not have one of these utilities, you can still join OhmConnect and earn points by completing surveys, watching videos, or playing games. However, you will not be able to participate in OhmHours or earn points for saving energy.
OhmConnect Pros and Cons
Like any platform, OhmConnect has pros and cons and it may not be right for everyone. Here are some key advantages and disadvantages of using OhmConnect:
Pros
– OhmConnect is a platform that rewards you for saving energy and helping the environment. You can earn points for reducing your energy consumption during peak demand hours, and redeem them for cash or prizes.
– OhmConnect is easy to use and fun. You can see your energy usage and savings in real-time, and get personalized tips and suggestions on how to save more. You can also connect your smart devices to OhmConnect, and let them automate your energy savings.
– OhmConnect is free to join and use, and there is no risk or obligation involved. You can choose to participate or opt out of any OhmHour, and you can cancel your account anytime. You can also earn additional rewards by inviting your friends and family to join.
Cons
– OhmConnect is currently only available in select areas of California, Texas, and Ontario, Canada. If you do not live in one of these areas, or if you do not have one of the supported utilities, you will not be able to participate in OhmHours or earn points for saving energy.
– OhmConnect may not be compatible with some devices or appliances, such as medical equipment, security systems, or refrigerators. You may need to check the compatibility of your devices or appliances before joining OhmConnect, and use your discretion when turning them off or adjusting them during an OhmHour.
– OhmConnect may not be able to guarantee your energy savings or rewards, as they may depend on various factors, such as your baseline, your usage, your utility, and the energy market. You may need to monitor your energy bills and your points balance, and contact OhmConnect if you have any questions or issues.
How Much Can You Make from OhmConnect?
The amount of money you earn depends on the size of your home and how well you save energy.
According to OhmConnect, the key to earning consistent rewards is to use connected devices, such as smart thermostats and smart plugs. The company states that it has found that members who use a smart thermostat or two smart plugs are the ones who earn the most each month.
Here are some examples from Reddit on earnings from OhmConnect users:
- “Last year, under the old system, I accrued about $400. This year, barely $100. Safe to say, OhmConnect doesn’t feel worth it anymore.”
- “I’ve redeemed my watts this summer for $30 cash and $75 in Amazon gift cards.”
- “2021 = $175 2020 = $449 2019 = $307 2018 = $551 2017 = $152 This is my yearly earnings since I joined in April 2017. My energy usage pattern has been about the same year to year.”
- “So far in 2022 I’ve heard enough watts to redeem approx $25 in Amazon gift cards”
- “I’ve made around $1220 in referrals and around $300 in Amazon gift cards / PayPal gift cards.”
- “I’ve been in the program for almost 3 months now and haven’t made enough to cash in a $10 Amazon card.”
- “We are earning far less than what we were getting last year. By this time last year I had over $400. This year I have just $137. They do not pay out like they use to. We had and ohm hour last night and my potential earnings were $1.37. Just to let you know $1.00 of that was from my smart plugs and thermostat. So basically if I didn’t have those, all I would have earned is $.37. We use to make $5.00 to $10.00 for an hour last year. They are keeping all the money now. It isn’t about getting people to save energy anymore it is about how much money they can make.”
You can also earn from referring friends and family. OhmConnect says that it knows of members who have easily cleared $5,000 in one year through referral rewards and that there’s even a case of a member who made $41,000 in one month. But the company does say that those results are not typical.
How Does OhmConnect Make Money?
OhmConnect gets paid by utility companies for reducing energy usage during periods of peak usage. Then, it passes some of the money on to you in exchange for using less energy.
Is OhmConnect Legitimate?
OhmConnect is a legit company that pays you to reduce your energy usage during peak usage. There are lots of people online who have actually been paid by OhmConnect, so this company actually pays out.
The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It actually has an impressive A rating from the BBB. The reviews from customers on the BBB aren’t as great as the company only has 1.5 stars on there.
OhmConnect has 3.7 stars on Trustpilot, which is a rating of “Average.” So, that’s not the best rating.
On Reddit, the company is pretty well rated overall. Most users say that it does pay out. Just don’t expect to earn a ton of money.
Conclusion:
OhmConnect stands as a beacon in the energy conservation landscape, turning the act of saving electricity into a rewarding and engaging experience. With its user-friendly interface, smart device integration, and emphasis on community engagement, OhmConnect has successfully transformed energy savings into a collective effort with real-world benefits. As the platform continues to grow and potentially expands to new regions, it has the potential to inspire a broader movement toward sustainable and eco-friendly living. By bridging the gap between technology and environmental responsibility, OhmConnect demonstrates that every small action contributes to a more sustainable future.
