Updated on January 16, 2026
Bullett Summary
- Objective: Expand demand response participation to underserved communities
- Partners: Armada Power, Austin Energy, ecobee
- Program: Austin Energy Smart Home Rewards Demonstration Program
- Tech: Armada water heater grid optimizer + ecobee smart thermostats
- Benefits: Load flexibility, bill credits/rebates, remote control for residents
- Equity Impact: Internet access barrier reduced, grid resiliency improved
A Collaboration with Austin Energy, ecobee and Armada Power
Demand response programs can provide significant benefits to low-income and other underserved communities, but in order to reap the benefits, the required smart devices need Internet access to work. Unfortunately, according to Pew Research, 43% of residents in low-income communities currently do not have home Internet. To mitigate this problem and provide the opportunity for residents to benefit from participating in grid reliability initiatives that can help prevent brownouts and blackouts in their communities during times of peak demand, Armada Power collaborates with utilities and other smart home technology companies to provide the critical network connection needed to facilitate this effort. An example of this is the recent collaboration between Armada, ecobee thermostats and Texas utility, Austin Energy.
Austin Energy Smart Home Rewards Demonstration Program for Multifamily Properties
Austin Energy’s Smart Home Rewards Demonstration Program for Multifamily Properties uses grant money from the US Department of Energy to create a demonstration program that provides demand response technology and rebates to property owners and tenants of multifamily properties, with an emphasis on low-to-moderate income households. The program helps property owners fund the purchase of distributed energy resource technologies (DER) including, ecobee smart thermostats and smart water heater technology from Armada Power.
The Armada water heater grid optimizer serves as a dedicated 2-way communication network. The Grid Optimizer’s hybrid cellular and Wi-Fi network capabilities facilitate DR participation during peak demand and grid emergencies. This access to flexible load management, when needed, reduces energy use for the sake of grid stability and resiliency while providing financial benefit to property owners and tenants in the form of recurring annual bill credits for tenant participation and a recurring annual participation-based rebate check for the property owner. Enrolled tenants will have the added benefit of being able to remotely control their new water heater technology and thermostats via smartphone.
”When technology companies work together, everyone benefits
Mitch HassettSales Manager, ecobee Energy
Enhanced Connection & Current Technology Result in Equitable Energy Delivery
This program and others like it allow for the enhanced utility communication and community connectivity necessary to expand demand response (DR) programs into residential areas that were formerly shut out from participation. As a matter of equitable service for all, demand response programs can be tailored to the unique needs of these communities and provide more effective support during grid emergencies. When these communities are equipped with the right technology, they are less likely to be impacted by outages during times of peak demand. On a granular level, the installed smart devices can provide residents with greater control over their energy usage and a higher level of insight and control over their home operations.
”This collaboration demonstrates how private and public enterprise can work together to build solutions that result in a more resilient energy grid and equitable living for all. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Austin Energy and ecobee thermostats and we hope that this demonstration program will be just the beginning of a larger effort to bring best-in-class energy management technology into the homes of communities that need it most.
Scott KoehlerPresident and Chief Commercial Officer, Armada Power
Find out more about Armada Power’s smart electric water heater technology.
We are dedicated to serving our communities and developing unique solutions to meet their needs. Armada Power’s smart water heater technology helps utilities, multi-family properties, and homeowners meet a variety of objectives. From cost savings to demand response to leak detection and more, our technology is on the leading edge of connectivity.
FAQs
Q1. What is this program about?
This initiative extends demand response participation to underserved multifamily communities using smart water heater and thermostat technology.
Q2. Who are the collaborators in this project?
Armada Power worked with Austin Energy and ecobee as part of the Smart Home Rewards Demonstration Program.
Q3. Why focus on underserved communities?
Low-income communities often lack home internet access, which is needed for smart devices to participate in DR programs. This program aims to overcome that barrier and provide equitable access to grid services.
Q4. What technologies were deployed?
Armada’s water heater grid optimizer and ecobee smart thermostats facilitated two-way communication for demand response events.
Q5. What benefits do residents and property owners receive?
Participants can earn bill credits or rebates, have remote control of devices, and benefit from improved energy efficiency and grid resiliency.
