Flex Business
Flex Business is part of PSE’s family of Flex programs that allow customers to support a more reliable and sustainable energy system through demand response. This strategy rewards customers for reducing their electricity use during periods when demand is high, called Flex events.
When we all adjust our energy use during Flex events, it can have a big impact by easing strain on the grid. This reduces the dependence on costlier, less-efficient power sources to meet temporary spikes in demand.
By taking part, your business can not only benefit financially, but also help:
- Ensure a reliable supply of energy for the community
- Manage overall energy costs and help keep rates affordable for everyone
- Support clean energy progress across Washington
- Show leadership in your community by taking action toward a more sustainable future
How Flex Business works
With Flex Business, you can take an active role in adjusting your energy use. During Flex events, PSE will send you notifications by text or email asking you to reduce your energy use. You'll earn money based on how much electricity you save.
Flex Business enrollment incentive: One-time payment of $150 (paid by check or direct deposit after enrollment).
Flex Business seasonal performance payments: $1 for every kilowatt-hour saved during Flex events over the course of a season, paid twice per year after the summer and winter seasons (by check or direct deposit).
Your business can take temporary actions to conserve during Flex events, such as:
- Adjust thermostats by a few degrees
- Dim or turn off nonessential lighting
- Shift noncritical equipment or processes to a later time
- Power down idle office computers, monitors, or displays
- Delay charging electric vehicles or other equipment
- Limit use of high-energy appliances or machinery during the event window
- Keep loading-dock doors or blinds closed to maintain indoor temperature
Want an easier way to participate? Join Flex Smart
If your business uses a Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat, you can enroll in Flex Smart for a set-and-forget experience. During Flex events, your thermostat automatically adjusts its temperature by a few degrees to help reduce energy use. You’ll stay comfortable, and no action is required from you during events.
Note: Flex Business and Flex Smart are separate paths for participation, so you’ll need to choose the option that works best for your business.
Enroll your compatible thermostat
Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostats: Get $50 per device for enrolling and $40 per device for each year you stay enrolled (paid by physical or digital gift card). Click the name of your device below to sign up.
Wi-Fi enabled line-voltage thermostats: Get $20 per device for enrolling and $10 per device for each year you stay enrolled (paid by physical or digital gift card). Click the name of your device below to sign up.
Flex Smart seasonal performance incentives for business customers: $35 for every kilowatt (kW) your business reduced on average across all Flex events in a season, paid twice per year after the summer and winter seasons (by check or direct deposit).
How Flex Smart works
Your smart thermostat automatically adjusts its temperature settings before and during each Flex event to help reduce strain on the grid. You can always opt out by adjusting your thermostat manually if needed.
Do you need a new smart thermostat? Receive up to a $200 rebate from PSE when you purchase a qualifying commercial connected thermostat for your business.
Frequently asked questions
General Questions
What is a Flex event and why does it occur?
Our experts can predict periods with higher demand for electricity based on several factors, which we call “Flex events.” For example, a Flex event might occur on a day with weather hotter or colder than normal, when heating or cooling systems are working harder.
When could a Flex event occur and how often?
Flex events will only occur once a day during the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., typically lasting between 2-4 hours each, and will never take place on holidays (see list below). Winter events can occur from Nov. 1 to March 31 and summer events can occur from May 1 to Sept. 30, no more than 3 times a week and 15 times per season.
Holidays:
- New Years
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
Does my business have to participate in every Flex event?
No. Reducing energy use during Flex events is completely voluntary. You can always choose to opt out if participation does not work for your business that day.
Will PSE ever shut off my business’s power during Flex events?
No. PSE will not disconnect power in response to increased demand. Flex Business participants simply help by reducing or shifting energy use during events, either automatically or manually.
Can my business participate in both Flex Business and Flex Smart?
No. Customers can participate in only one program at a time, depending on the equipment and preferences of their business. Choose the option that works best for you.
I already participate in Flex at my home address. Can my business also join?
Yes. You can participate in both as long as your business operates under a separate PSE account.
How is Flex Business administered and where can I receive support?
Flex Business is administered on behalf of PSE by Uplight, who oversees program implementation, payment processing, and customer support. Enrolled customers can manage their accounts through the FlexSaver portal provided by Uplight. For the fastest assistance, you can contact Uplight's customer support directly at support@pseflex.com or by calling 1-888-292-0502.
How does PSE determine how much energy I save during a Flex event?
We calculate your energy savings for each Flex event using a baseline. This baseline is created by averaging the energy consumption of the four highest-usage days among the five weekdays before the event. We also consider energy usage in the two hours before the event and the hour after the event, and make adjustments based on higher or lower usage during that time (e.g., 3-4 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. for a 5-7 p.m. event).
How and when will I receive payment for Flex Business?
Payments are issued by check or direct deposit. The one-time enrollment incentive is typically processed within 4 to 6 weeks after successful enrollment. Performance-based payments for every kilowatt-hour saved during Flex events are issued twice per year, after the summer and winter seasons conclude. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing.
Flex Smart
Can I adjust my thermostat during a Flex event?
Yes. You are always in control. You can opt out before or during a Flex event by manually adjusting your thermostat.
How will I be notified of an event?
Depending on your device brand and settings, you may receive a notice up to 60 minutes ahead of an event (unless there is a grid emergency). Notices may appear on your thermostat display, in your manufacturer’s app, or by email or text message.
What if my request to enroll my thermostat is declined?
If inaccurate customer or account information is provided during the sign-up process, it can result in a failed enrollment. If this happens, you may be notified by your manufacturer of what went wrong. If you need additional assistance signing up, you can always call our toll-free help line 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-888-793-9347 or email support@pseflex.com.
Which devices qualify for Flex Smart?
| Manufacturer | Device | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Google Nest |
|
$50 enrollment reward + $20 for each season (winter and summer) you stay enrolled.
Business-only incentive: $35 for every kW reduced on average across all Flex events in a season, paid twice per year after the summer and winter seasons |
| ecobee |
|
|
| Amazon Smart Thermostat |
|
|
| Sensi |
|
|
| Honeywell Home |
|
|
| Mysa |
|
$20 per-device enrollment reward + $10 per-device for each winter you stay enrolled.
Business-only incentive: $35 for every kW reduced on average across all Flex events in a season, paid once per year after the winter seasons |
| Sinopé | Sinopé Connected Line-voltage Thermostats:
|
How much will my thermostat adjust?
Your thermostat will automatically adjust by about two to four degrees, depending on the model and your comfort settings. You may also notice “pre-cooling” or “pre-heating” before an event to keep your space comfortable. Once the event ends, your thermostat will return to its regular settings.
Will PSE control my thermostat directly?
No. PSE will never lock thermostats or prevent you from making changes. You can always override adjustments if needed.
Is my data secure?
Yes. PSE takes customer privacy seriously. When you sign up, only the information needed to link your thermostat to your PSE account is shared, and all data is securely encrypted.
Flex Business is administered on behalf of PSE by Uplight.
For the fastest assistance, you can contact Uplight's customer support directly at support@pseflex.com or by calling 1-888-793-9347