Energy-savvy OhmConnect’er wins major prize without even remembering she was participating

It sounds crazy, but it’s true: If you’re a home energy conscious person in California, it’s possible to earn (lots of!) money for the savvy energy-saving habits you already possess. To the tune of several thousand dollars! 

For Vandana from Union City, CA, our latest Prize OhmHour winner - that’s exactly what happened. 

Just set it and forget it

Vandana signed up for OhmConnect a few years back, excited about the incentive to be more conscious of the energy she and her family used in their single-family home. Living with three others, she knew that they could make better decisions about when they used power to save money on their monthly bills. 

“I signed up a while back and then honestly, forgot about it,” she said with a laugh. “We started to become particular about peak hours and when we use energy. I still get the text updates about when OhmHours are happening but we don’t actively participate really - we just know not to use things during peak hours.” 

And that habit paid off in a big way. When she logged into her OhmConnect account for the first time in a long time, not only did she have the $5000 prize to cash out (she opted to take the cash prize instead of a 4-piece kitchen appliance set), but she’d already earned extra rewards and all the perks of being a Diamond status customer. 

“I logged in after I heard that I’d won and it was a pleasant surprise!”

Her tips and tricks 

“Honestly what’s been the best part is that it’s just a habit for us not to use energy during peak hours anymore. After signing up with that initial incentive we just changed the way we do things. It was good to get some discipline in how we use energy and to be plugged into a group doing the same thing.” 

During OhmHours, Vandana and her family: 

• Don’t run their dishwasher
• Don’t charge electronics
• Don’t run the washer or dryer
• Stay mindful of other appliances and electronics that may be on and turn them off. 
  

“And that’s it! Once something becomes part of your daily routine, you don’t pay attention to it anymore.” 

Congratulations Vandana!