Details on how the program works

Program dates: 15 July 2024 - 15 August 2025

The UI Smart Home Program is an incentive-based program, through which Participants will be remunerated for providing UI smart charging control of their Electric Vehicle (EV) and/or Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Heat Pump. Participants will manage their smart charging preferences via the UI Smart Home mobile app. Participants will register interest for joining the Program, and will be accepted upon meeting eligibility criteria detailed below.

Program eligibility criteria

Participants must:

1. Be a UI Residential Customer with an active utility electric account.
2. Own or lease a compatible Electric Vehicle or heat pump (HVAC). EV participants require domestic access to an EV charging portal at the address associated with their UI account number.
3. Actively participate in the Program for it’s duration, following Program acceptance.
4. Not currently participate in the existing Residential Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program.
5. Have the ability to download the UI Smart Home mobile app, through which they will manage their device. There is a requirement for Participants to have access to the following mobile device type: Android 8+, iOS 16+.

Participant remuneration

Participants will accrue monthly bill credits for adhering to the expected managed smart charging behaviors of the Program. The total value accrued throughout the course of the Program will be credited to the Participants UI Account, at the Program close (post-August 31st 2025). The Participant may be eligible for the following incentives through the Program:

1. Participants will receive a one-off enrollment incentive once accepted onto the Program, valued at $100 for single device Participants, and $150 for those enrolling both an EV and Heat Pump.
2. Electric Vehicle Participants will receive ongoing incentive remuneration ($25 / month) for avoiding taking back control of their vehicle more than 3 times each month, via the “boost charge” functionality in the mobile app. A “boost charge” period is cited as a boost charge event lasting longer than 2 minutes in duration. Participants exceeding 3 boost charges/month, will forfeit the incentive payment for each month this is exceeded.
3. Heat Pump Participants will receive ongoing incentive remuneration ($25/ month) for avoiding taking back control of their heat pump more than 3 times each month, via the “suspend control” functionality in the mobile app. A “suspend control” event is cited as a period where Smart Control has been “turned off” in the mobile app, for a 24 hour period or longer. Participants exceeding 3 suspensions of control/month, will forfeit the incentive payment for each month this is exceeded.
4. Participants with both a connected Electric Vehicle and Heat Pump will be eligible for joint monthly incentives, amounting to up to $50/ month.

Terms and Conditions

These Terms & Conditions govern The United Illuminating Company (“UI”) Connecticut UI Smart Home (EV and heat pump) Charging Program (the “Program”). By submitting personal details (name and email address) through the program registration form, Participant acknowledges that Participant has read, understands, and agrees to these UI Terms & Conditions. Participant further acknowledges that UI has retained third party contractors to implement the Program and that the Participant may be required to accept additional Terms & Conditions from its contractors when accessing certain Program software applications provided by third party contractors and you agree to us sharing your data with such contractors and for them using this data to perform the services and as otherwise specified in their Privacy Policy. The parties acknowledge and agree that UI’s contractors are third party beneficiaries of this Agreement. This Program is offered to UI residential customers who submit a qualifying application in line with the UI Smart Home eligibility criteria, on or after July 15, 2024 through August 31, 2025. Funding for this Program is limited to the period indicated or while funds last.

Defined Terms

Demand Response Event (“Event(s)”): actions taken by UI during the Demand Response Season to curtail Participant’s EV Charging in response to certain electric system conditions that UI determines pose a risk to safe and/ or reliable operation of the electric system.

Managed Smart Control Platform: a software and/or web-based portal that Participants will use to manage their participation in the Program. This Platform will allow Participants to track their performance with regards to earning Program incentives.

Compatible Smart Charger: a device used to supply an EV with electrical power. A Smart Charger connects to the Internet via wi-fi or cellular signals that enables wireless communication between the Smart Charger and internet-based systems provided by the Smart Charger manufacturer (i.e. a cell phone application or web-based portal). Participants with compatible smart chargers will be eligible for the Program.

Participant: A Residential Customer of UI that meets the eligibility requirements of the program through a qualified Electric Vehicle or Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Heat Pump.

Program Notifications: emails, in-app notifications, or other notifications related to customer responsibilities.

Qualified: Electric Vehicles and Heat Pumps that conform to UI’s Qualified Product List.

Residential Customer: new or existing UI Connecticut customers living in a single-family home or a multifamily home with four or fewer units on the property. Multifamily homes must be separately metered with separate UI accounts.

Vehicle Connection: the capability of a vehicle to connect to the internet via on-board telemetry (telematics) that enables wireless communication between the vehicle and internet-based systems provided by the vehicle manufacturer (i.e. a cell phone application or web-based portal).

Heat Pump (HVAC) Connection: the capability of an HVAC to connect to the internet via on-board telemetry (telematics) that enables wireless communication between the vehicle and internet-based systems provided by the HVAC manufacturer (i.e. a cell phone application or web-based portal).

 

Eligibility Requirements for Program enrollment

Program incentives and eligibility criteria are authorized by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and are subject to change. To be eligible to participate in the Program, Participant must adhere to the following conditions:

General Eligibility Requirements

• Be a UI Residential Customer with an active utility electric account.
• Own or lease a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or a battery electric vehicle, and/or own or lease a compatible heat pump (HVAC).
• The Program requires the participant to agree to enroll and actively participate for the Program’s duration, completing 15 August 2025. Participants will need to fulfil the requirements therein (see Eligibility Requirements for Ongoing Incentive in the Program) in order to receive any of the Program incentives.
• The Participant acknowledges that they are not receiving benefits from the existing Residential Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program.
• The Participant requires the ability to download the UI Smart Home mobile app, through which they will manage their device. There is a requirement for Participants to have access to the following mobile device type: Android 8+, iOS 16+.

Vehicle Connection (Telematics) Enrollment Incentive Requirements:

• The Participant requires domestic access to a compatible Electric Vehicle and Electric Vehicle charging portal.
• A vehicle connection, also referred to as “Telematics”, activates a network connection directly to your vehicle. Not all EV OEMs offer telematics. Check with your OEM to see if your vehicle is equipped with telematics.
• If your vehicle supports this type of telematics connection, your enrollment enables you to receive the listed remuneration in conjunction with incentives accrued through participation in the Program.

Heat Pump (HVAC) Connection (Telematics) Enrollment Incentive Requirements:

• The Participant requires access to a domestic heat pump that is connected to the OEM cloud/mobile app for remote control.
• The heat pump should be controlled by a single control point (UI Smart Home mobile app).
• A heat pump connection, also referred to as “Telematics”, activates a network connection directly to your heat pump. Not all heat pump OEMs offer telematics. Check with your OEM to see if your heat pump is equipped with telematics.
• If your heat pump supports this type of telematics connection, your enrollment enables you to receive the listed remuneration in conjunction with incentives accrued through participation in the Program.

APPLICATION: The application must be filled out completely, truthfully, and accurately.

ENDORSEMENT: UI does not endorse any particular manufacturer, contractor, vendor, product, retailer or system design in promoting this Program.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Liability of UI and its contractors is limited to paying the Program incentives specified. UI and its contractors are not liable for any damages arising out of or resulting from participation in this Program, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of revenues, failure to realize expected savings, loss of data, loss of business opportunity, or similar losses of any kind, as well as any indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages, or for any damages in tort connected with or resulting from participation in this Program. In the event electricity bills increase due to participation in the program, UI will consider providing further discounts.Applicant understands that all funding for incentives under this Program derives from UI ratepayers in part by approval from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). UI does not guarantee the availability of funding for the Program and is not responsible for any costs or damages incurred by the applicant if funding for this program is reduced or eliminated by the State of Connecticut or PURA action. Funding is subject to change at any time without notice.

Controlling Participant Devices

By connecting a Device to the Smart Charging platform , Participants give us and the platform operator (referred to here as ‘us’ and ‘we’) the right without any compensation or obligation to you, to access and use your Device for the limited purposes of providing Services to you, improving Device functionality and Services, developing new Services, and as otherwise set forth in our and their Privacy Policy.

You may need to record your operating preferences in the mobile app. For example, if your Device is an electric vehicle, we might need to know what time you need your electric vehicle ready in the morning and how much energy you would like to add to your vehicle. We'll take your operating preferences into account first and optimize your energy use around that. If it's not possible to undertake your instructions we'll do our best to notify you if the technology and your preferences allow, and try to find a solution.

By signing up to these Terms, you agree to:

1. Give us permission to integrate and connect with your Device using your home wifi, in-built sim card, or other method as agreed between us.
2. Give us the permission to influence the times of operation of your Device. We will always strive to operate these assets in line with the preferences you have specified in our app, but this service cannot be guaranteed.
3. Operate the Device in accordance with any applicable laws and in accordance with these Terms;
4. We collect data about your Device, including but not limited to model, power consumption, operating preferences, any actions you take to operate these assets and how these assets perform. We may use this information to optimize your asset operations, send operating instructions to your Device, support you when any issues arise, and monitor the status of your device.
5. We cannot guarantee that your Device will operate in accordance with your preferences. We accept no liability for wear and tear of your Device, scheduling failure or other electric faults.
6. From time to time, we may develop updates, upgrades, patches and other modifications to improve the performance of your Devices for other reasons at our sole discretion (“Updates”). If applicable, we will provide you with notifications of these Updates.

We will not be liable to you for:

1. Any loss due to circumstances beyond our control;
2. Any loss which is indirect, consequential, economic or financial including loss of profit, revenue, goodwill, business, contractor wasted expenses;
3. Any loss which was not or could not have been reasonably foreseen even if we, our employees, subcontractors or agents did not follow these Terms; or
4. Any loss caused to you where we have followed your instructions or requests for assistance with or relating to your Device, or from our control of your Device on your request.
5. We do not limit or exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligent acts or omissions.

Your Data

1. UI agrees to use any personal data that provided in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available on the our website.
2. UI will always process personal data fairly and lawfully in accordance with your rights. This means that UI will not process your personal data unless you have consented to this happening, or there is a legitimate interest justification. The processing of all data will always be necessary to provide the product and services and will not unduly prejudice your privacy.
3. It may be necessary to share your data with third parties in order to process your data and comply with industry obligations or in order to deliver products or services. For example, UI may share personal information related to your electric vehicle and associated subscriptions and memberships with the manufacturer of your vehicle to ensure it can deliver products or services to you.
4. UI will ensure that any personal data processed is accurate, adequate, relevant and not excessive, given the purpose for which it was obtained. UI will not process personal data obtained for one purpose for any unconnected purpose unless you have agreed to this or would otherwise reasonably expect this.
5. UI and its contractors may also share your personal data with device manufacturers and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) (such as electric vehicle manufacturers) in order to better integrate with your Devices, ensure continuity of services to you, and to enhance your customer experience with respect to your Devices.

OWNER’S CERTIFICATION: Owner acknowledges that it is the Participants responsibility to ensure the household is equipped with suitable electric connection and is not at risk of exceeding maximum amperage rating by joining the Program. If a household connection constraint is breached as the result of device smart control, the Participant owns liability.
WARRANTIES: UI AND ITS CONTRACTORS DO NOT WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OF INSTALLED EQUIPMENT, EXPRESSLY OR IMPLICITLY. UI and its contractors make no warranties or representations of any kind, whether statutory, expressed, or implied, including without limitations, warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the equipment or services provided by a manufacturer, contractor or vendor. Contact your retailer, manufacturer, vendor or contractor for details regarding equipment performance and warranties.

Eligibility Requirements for Ongoing Program Incentives: The Ongoing Incentives require a continuous communication link between UI and the Participant’s Smart Charger, Vehicle Connection and/or heat pump connection. This allows UI to request a reduction in power used for EV charging throughout the year or to change the temperature setpoint of a heat pump to reduce demand during times of high stress on the electrical system. By enrolling in the Program, the Participant authorizes UI to automatically adjust or stop the Qualified Smart Charger or Vehicle Connection charging speeds and charging times during these times and in the case of heat pumps to adjust the temperature schedule of the heat pump.

It is the Participant’s responsibility to educate themselves on the details of the Program. This means that Participants must familiarize themselves with the Program Participant Guide before deciding whether and how to join this Program. Please visit our website here (link will be added once live) for this guide.

UI Smart Home Program Participation Ongoing Incentives Requirements:
In order to be eligible for ongoing incentives through the Program, Participants must agree to and follow the guidelines below. UI will monitor each Participant’s charging behavior and reward Participants for their performance against the following criteria:

1. Electric Vehicle Participants will receive ongoing incentive remuneration for avoiding taking back control of their vehicle more than 3 times each month, via the “boost charge” functionality in the mobile app. Participants exceeding 3 boost charges/month, will forfeit the incentive payment for each month this is exceeded.
2. Heat Pump Participants will receive ongoing incentive remuneration for preventing the platform from controlling their heat pump via the ‘suspend’ function, more than 3 times each month. Participants exceeding 3 suspensions of control/month, will forfeit the incentive payment for each month this is exceeded.

Managed Smart Control Incentives:

• Participants will need a connected device (Electric Vehicle or Heat Pump) for the duration of the Program to be in receipt of ongoing incentives.
• Participants will receive a one-off enrollment incentive for joining the Program, valued at $100 for single device Participants, and $150 for those enrolling both an EV and Heat Pump.
• Electric Vehicle Participants will be able to ‘boost charge’ 3x/month every month without penalty. A boost charge greater than two minutes will count as a ‘boost charge’ event. For each month the Participant remains within their 3x/month ‘boost’ limit, they will receive $25. If a Participant ‘boost charges’ more than 3x/month, they will lose their $25 incentive for that month only.
• The Program requires Electric Vehicle Participants to use UI’s Managed Charging Platform (UI Smart Home mobile app) to set and maintain two inputs: a State of Charge (SOC) (in app, called “charge limit”) that the Participant needs, and the Time Charge is Needed (TCIN) (in app, called “ready by time”).The Participant will use the Managed Charging Platform to set these inputs and manually adjust them as their needs change.
• UI will use these inputs to optimize charging of Participant devices, in partnership with the Kraken platform; while ensuring that each Participant receives the SOC they need at their desired TCIN.
• Participants always retain the right to opt out of their schedule and resume charging.
• UI retains the right to curtail EV charging at any time of day, however this will be rare outside of the on-peak period and Participants always retain the right to override curtailments.
• An enrolled Electric Vehicle Participant could earn monthly rewards for full participation in the Program, for the duration of the program - until program close on 15 August 2025.
• An enrolled Heat Pump Participant could earn monthly rewards for full participation in the Program, for the duration of the program - until program close on 15 August 2025.
• Heat Pump Participants will receive ongoing incentive remuneration ($25/ month) for avoiding taking back control of their heat pump more than 3 times each month, via the “suspend control” functionality in the mobile app. A “suspend control” event is cited as a period where Smart Control has been “turned off” in the mobile app, for a 24 hour period or longer. Participants exceeding 3 suspensions of control/month, will forfeit the incentive payment for each month this is exceeded.
• Participants will be in receipt of monthly performance emails, and can adjust their charging settings through the UI Smart Home mobile app provided by UI.
• Failure to earn an incentive in a given month does not impact incentives in other months.
• Participants will qualify for an additional $50credit, if referring a Participant to the Program. This incentive will be earned as a bill credit to their UI Account, which will be applied after the program closure date - 15 August 2025.

Key Details & Participation Requirements:

• Participants agree to actively participate in the Program for the duration of the Program from the date their device is connected to the Managed Charging Platform, until the program end date - 15 August 2025.
• If a Participant leaves the Program before the duration, they will forfeit their accrued credits and will not receive payment via a credit to their UI Account at the Program close. Under some extenuating circumstances, Participants will be in receipt of their accrued credit - for example, if the Participant relocates outside of the UI service territory. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Participants joining the program will be able to participate in Managed Charging from the date of device connection to the Managed Charging Platform. Participants will accrue rewards from the month they onboard their device, subject to the requirements listed above and assuming the Participant meets those relevant requirements.
• Participants can expect to receive the payment for incentives earned in a given month in the form of a bill credit to their UI Account.

Program Participation Timelines and Withdrawal:

• Participants are required to engage with the Program for the duration upon successfully onboarding a device. Participants leaving the Program will risk forfeiting their accrued rewards, except for extenuating circumstances - which will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• If Participant moves to a different residence within the UI service area, Participant may continue to participate in the Program if the new residence meets the eligibility requirements in these Terms and Conditions. Participants must communicate any change of address to the Program.
• Incentives available under the Program may be changed, modified, substituted, replaced, ceased, or terminated at any time at UI’s sole discretion with or without notice to the Participant. Participant’s continued participation in the Program constitutes Participant’s acceptance of any and all such changes, replacements, assignments or terminations.

Program Information Sharing:

Participant agrees and authorizes that:

• UI may send Participant emails, in-app messages, and other notifications related to the Program, including notifications about enrollment status and Program-related adjustments to the Device Connections or Smart Charger settings.
• UI may send Participant emails related to the fulfillment of seasonal incentives.
• The OEM will share certain information with UI regarding the Participant, required for the Participant’s enrollment and continued engagement in the Program. This may include Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”). PII may include the Participant’s first and last name, work and/or personal emails as provided by the Participant. The information shared may also include Participant’s EV charging electricity usage information, including but not limited to charging patterns (start date and time, duration of charging), managed charging opt-out and communication network connectivity (collectively “Participant Information”). Participant releases OEM from any and all claims against it, its employees, officers and directors, arising out of or in connection with this sharing of Participant Information.
• UI may use Participant Information in order (a) to operate, administer, market, evaluate, analyze, change or improve the Program, (b) to prepare and present general, aggregated or anonymized results and information about the Program to third parties, including governmental entities such as the electricity system regulatory bodies and (c) for UI to understand and evaluate Participant habits and to inform the development and creation of utility programs and load planning. UI may also use and publish information regarding your participation in the Program and your use of the Smart Charger, Vehicle Connection and/or Heat Pump Connection, so long as the information is presented in an anonymized, aggregated format (i.e., in a manner that does not identify you).