Participation Terms and Conditions


Thank you for your interest in participation in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (“PG&E”) SmartAC program (“SmartAC”). These SmartAC Program Participation Terms and Conditions (these “Terms”) are a legal agreement (“Agreement”) between you and PG&E governing your participation in the program.


Clicking [“I Agree”] or by participating in SmartAC, you (“Participant”) are agreeing to be bound as follows:


  1. SmartAC – SmartAC is a voluntary residential central AC load control Demand Response (DR) program. A load control switch (“Switch”) will be installed at Participant’s premise which will remotely control the central AC unit on occasional hot summer days called a “DR Event” (see 6.). The Switch is installed and maintained by PG&E’s contractor, Franklin Energy. Participant agrees and acknowledges the installation and maintenance of the Switch may require Franklin Energy to access the yard of Participant’s premise without prior notification. Participant may, upon enrolling in the program, indicate there are access issues to the yard such as a locked gate or loose pet or their preference is to have an appointment. Customers can schedule an appointment at (866) 908-4916.
  2. Eligibility – Participant must meet the eligibility criteria below to enroll in the SmartAC program.
    • Receive electric service from PG&E
    • Residential Customer
    • Bundled Utility service, Direct Access service, or Community Choice Aggregation
    • Individual meter (no sub-meter premises)
    • An eligible SmartMeter
    • Central air conditioning unit generally used during peak summer periods
    • Not be enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program
    • Not have Life-Support equipment
    • Not be enrolled in any other PG&E or third-party DR Energy Incentive program (visit pge.com/easygreen for more information).
    • If Participant is not the premise Owner, has written approval of the Owner to participate in this SmartAC Program and comply with these Terms and Conditions.
  3. Enrollment – Participant agrees to provide the required information to enroll in the SmartAC program and acknowledges a Switch will be installed at their home by the PG&E authorized contractor, Franklin Energy.
  4. Incentive – Participant will receive a $50 enrollment incentive check approximately 4-6 weeks after installation of the Switch on their AC unit. At the installation, Participant will also receive a free AC checkup which will assess the AC capacitor, contactor, grounding, housing, and if it is pet proof.
  5. Load Control Switch – The Switch will cycle Participant’s AC unit compressor at a 50% duty cycle. This means that for approximately 15 minutes of a 30-minute period the AC unit compressor will not produce cool air. However, during that 15-minute period the AC unit fan will continue to circulate air throughout the home. This may cause the temperature of the home to increase, but typically Participant’s do not notice. The Switch will start cycling within the first 30 minutes. The Switch will stop cycling within 30 minutes after the scheduled DR Event end time.
    • Switch Communication. The installed Switch uses a Smart Energy Protocol standard called Zigbee to connect and communicate to the SmartMeter at the premise to provide event dispatch.
    • Do Not Tamper. Participant agrees not to tamper with the Switch and will not permit or instruct others to tamper with the Switch. In the event the AC unit is not operating properly, contact PG&E at (866) 908-4916 for complimentary troubleshooting.
  6. DR Events – The SmartAC DR Event season begins from May 1st until October 31st each year. Participant may be cycled up to 100 hours per season, however typical operation is estimated at 20 hours per season. Grid emergency circumstances may require more than 20 hours of cycling to occur. Participant AC units can be cycled a maximum of 6 hours in a single day, however, typical DR Events are 2 to 3 hours. Participant has the option to not participate (“opt-out”) in a DR Event and must contact the SmartAC customer service call center at (866) 908-4916 for each individual DR Event to opt-out. There is no penalty for opting out of a DR Event and Participant may opt-out of as many DR Events as they choose.
  7. PG&E Contractor– Franklin Energy operates the customer service call center and performs the field operations for PG&E’s SmartAC program. Franklin Energy technicians will have a Franklin Energy logo on the technician’s badge. All trucks operated by Franklin Energy will also have a PG&E SmartAC logo visible.
    • Participant authorizes and consents to PG&E and Franklin Energy contacting Participant at the home phone or mobile phone provided at any time for non-emergency, automated, autodialed, prerecorded, or artificial voice phone calls or text messages related to participation in the SmartAC program. Participant may revoke consent for non-emergency, automated, autodialed, prerecorded, or artificial voice phone calls or text messages by calling (866) 908-4916.
  8. Limitation of Liability – Participant agrees PG&E shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages, arising in connection with their participation in the SmartAC program and if Participant is dissatisfied in any way with the SmartAC program, PG&E or Franklin Energy, Participant’s sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue their participation.
  9. SmartAC Program Participation Termination -
    • Termination By PG&E. PG&E has the sole discretion to terminate Participant’s participation in the SmartAC program at any time. PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission have the discretion to terminate the SmartAC program at any time.
    • Termination by Participant. Participant may terminate their enrollment in SmartAC program for any reason by calling (866) 908-4916. Participation in the SmartAC program is voluntary and Participant can withdraw at any time.
  10. General –
    • This entire Agreement concerning Participant’s participation in the SmartAC program and any assignment of the Agreement requires PG&E’s written consent.
    • The Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Any dispute arising in connection with this Agreement, shall first seek the assistance of a mediation to resolve any such outstanding disputes prior to filing a lawsuit.
    • Participant warrants and represents they are over 18 years of age and have the necessary legal capacity and have obtained the required approvals to execute this Agreement.