ComfortChoice programmable thermostats, provided by Carrier Corp., were selected by New Power for the pilot program. New Power, the first national provider of electricity and natural gas to residential and small commercial customers in the U.S., is running these pilots to evaluate new technologies for home usage and to develop new products and marketing strategies.

The program, which began in early July and will run through the end of September, will allow New Power to temporarily adjust thermostat settings, but homeowners retain ultimate control and can override the temperature changes.