Aug. 6, 2014: Honeywell, StarTex Power Help Texans Save Energy with Wi-Fi Thermostats

Program Will Also Subsidize the Cost of the Thermostat, Which Will Make It a Low or No Cost Device

MINNEAPOLIS and HOUSTON — Honeywell and StarTex Power, a Constellation company and electricity provider that serves customers across Texas, have teamed up to offer homeowners and small businesses an energy-saving bundle that combines competitive electricity rates with a Wi-Fi, app-driven thermostat from Honeywell.

For a limited time StarTex Power is offering a gift card to new customers — $100 for homeowners and $500 for small businesses — to subsidize the cost of the thermostat, which will make it a low or no cost device depending on which of the three available models the customer chooses. Home and business owners will also be able to get the thermostat through HVAC contractors, online and brick-and-mortar retailers, or StarTex Power, whichever is most convenient for them.

“Affordable energy rates and smart home technology are an ideal marriage,” said Tony Uttley, general manager of Home Comfort and Energy Systems at Honeywell. “Plus, people who want to participate have the freedom of choice. Pick the thermostat you want. Choose where you purchase it and how it’s installed. This is a tailor-made opportunity to reduce electricity use, which could only come through a pairing like Constellation’s StarTex Power and Honeywell.”

A variety of electricity supply plans with fixed rates are available based on customer location with terms of three to 36 months. StarTex Power customers who already have a Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat can still enroll in the new plan and receive the reward retroactively.

“StarTex Power and Constellation believe the combination of technology, great customer service, and competitive rates puts consumers in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing their energy use,” said Bruce Stewart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Constellation. “Honeywell’s Wi-Fi thermostats give customers the added flexibility to control and monitor their heating and cooling system use from anywhere with a tablet or smartphone.”

The thermostats offered through the plan include: the Honeywell Wi-Fi 7-day programmable thermostat; the Wi-Fi 7-day programmable touchscreen thermostat; and the Wi-Fi smart thermostat, for both residential and commercial use.

Customers can program and control these devices from any computer, tablet, or smartphone through the Total Connect Comfort app. The thermostats also learn how long it takes to heat and cool a home or business to ensure it is always at the right temperature. They can send filter change reminders and other alerts as well.

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS

In addition, the technology provides a pathway for customers to participate in demand response and other utility programs, which can lead to additional rewards.

For details on the StarTex Power plan, visit www.constellationaffinity.com/hon.

For more information on Honeywell, visit www.honeywell.com.

Publication date: 8/4/2014

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!