9 chapters across the catalog
Appalachian Power is offering customers a $50 gift card to enroll in the "Take Charge" program, which allows the utility to remotely adjust home thermostats during peak demand periods. Participants receive an additional $25 annually for remaining in the program.
During an "energy emergency" in Colorado, Xcel Energy locked the smart thermostats of 22,000 customers, preventing them from lowering their home temperatures below 78 or 79 degrees. The company stated this was part of a voluntary "AC Rewards" program where customers receive a $100 credit in exchange for giving up control during peak demand periods. Many participants were reportedly unaware that the lockout could be overridden.
ERCOT Remote Thermostat Control, Smart Savers Texas
Texas residents discovered that their smart thermostats were being remotely adjusted to 78 degrees by energy companies during a heat wave. The "Smart Savers Texas" program, operated by Energy Hub, allows utilities like TXU and ERCOT to control home temperatures in exchange for sweepstakes entries. Many users were unaware they had enrolled in the program until they woke up sweating.
Georgia Election Hearing, Smart Thermostat Data Hack
During a Georgia election hearing, Russell James Ramsland alleged that a smart thermostat in a tabulation room was communicating with a server in China. Additionally, white-hat hackers claimed they were able to access polling systems in real-time during the runoff election.
The terms of service for Nest thermostats include a requirement that users must be at least 13 years old to operate the device. The hardware requires a constant internet connection to function properly, leading to concerns about reliability and corporate control over home climate systems.
The Mycroft open-source voice assistant is presented as a privacy-focused alternative to Amazon's Alexa. Concerns are raised regarding the Nest thermostat's ability to track home occupancy for Google and the advanced microphone arrays used in commercial smart speakers.
Nest Thermostat Technical Failure and Algorithmic Control
A Nest thermostat in the Austin studio went offline, causing the room temperature to rise and requiring a manual override. The device is criticized for failing to learn user patterns despite its marketing as an intelligent, self-contained algorithm. The host expresses frustration with the unreliability of smart home technology and plans to remove the unit.
Office Temperature Study, Placebo Thermostats
A widely reported study claiming office temperatures are biased against women is debunked as being based on a sample size of only 16 participants. An anecdote from an HVAC professional describes the use of "placebo thermostats"—unconnected devices installed to give employees a sense of control over their environment.
NBC's Jenna Wolff reported on the "Cold War" in offices, citing an outdated 1960s model for thermostat settings based on a 154-pound man. The segment featured images of "gay couture" short-sleeved blazers as a potential solution for men. The hosts suggest the sudden influx of these stories may be a coordinated PR effort by companies like Google Nest to sell smart thermostats.
