Smart thermostats are a great step toward a more energy-efficient home. But if you’re still on a traditional electricity plan, you're likely missing out on what these devices can really do for your wallet. The magic happens when you pair smart tech with a smarter pricing structure, such as Rhythm’s PowerShift.
PowerShift is built around a simple idea: Electricity doesn’t cost the same to produce at all times of day, so why should you pay the same rate around the clock?
Why Your Smart Thermostat Needs a Smarter Plan
Smart thermostats help you control how much energy you use. But Rhythm’s PowerShift plan helps you control when you use it, without sacrificing comfort.
With PowerShift, your rate changes depending on the time of day. You’ll pay way less during off-peak hours (like during the daytime and overnight hours) and more during peak hours (like in the evenings). That’s good news for anyone using a smart thermostat, because these devices are built to run on schedules. They know how to shift usage automatically based on your preferences.
When you align that schedule with PowerShift’s pricing windows, you unlock an extra layer of big-time savings.
A Smarter Way to Cool and Heat Your Home
Here’s a breakdown of how smart thermostats and PowerShift work together to lower your bill:
Pre-cooling or pre-heating during off-peak hours
Peak hours are most common to occur in the evenings and early night hours. On summer days, you can program your thermostat to cool the house more heavily during the day, then let the system ease off during peak hours while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
Using “away” settings wisely
If you’re out of the house during the day, your thermostat can reduce energy use when no one’s home, then automatically return to your comfort settings just before you walk back in—ideally outside of peak pricing hours.
Smart learning and automations
Devices like Nest and Ecobee learn your routines over time and can optimize based on real-time data. Pair that with Rhythm’s off-peak schedule, and you get a thermostat that knows when to run harder and when to back off.
Integrating with smart home systems
If you use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, you can connect your thermostat with other devices for even more efficiency. For example, blinds can close automatically during hot afternoons, reducing indoor heat gain and minimizing AC use during peak hours.
PowerShift in Action: A Day in the Life
Here’s how a typical PowerShift weekday could look with a smart thermostat:
6:00 a.m. – Your system gently warms or cools the house while prices are still low.
9:00 a.m. – Everyone’s off to work or school. The thermostat enters “eco” mode.
2 p.m. (or so) - Pre-cool or pre-heat your home so it’s good and comfy by the time peak pricing begins.
6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Peak pricing kicks in. The system holds steady or turns off temporarily while your pre-programmed settings keep your home comfortable.
10:00 p.m. and beyond – Off-peak pricing returns. The thermostat resumes normal programming, without the need for constant manual changes.
All of this can happen automatically, based on a schedule you set once. And you don't have to stop with your AC to save with PowerShift. There are a lot of ways to save.
Saving Without Sacrifice
The best part? You don’t have to change how you live—just when your home does the heavy lifting. With smart thermostats and PowerShift working together, you can:
Reduce peak electricity usage
Cut monthly costs without noticing a difference
Support a cleaner, more reliable grid
Because Rhythm’s plans are 100% renewable, your smart choices alleviate pressure on the grid and do well for the environment. A win-win.
Why Rhythm Built PowerShift
We designed PowerShift to put our customers in control. It rewards those who are already thinking about how and when they use electricity, especially those with smart thermostats, EVs, or energy-conscious habits.
Traditional fixed-rate plans don’t give you this kind of flexibility. They assume you’ll use the same amount of energy at 3 a.m. as you will at 5 p.m. and charge you the same either way.
That’s not how the grid works. So we built a plan that reflects reality. PowerShift matches your rate to the actual cost of electricity, and gives you the chance to lower your bill just by making smarter use of the tech you already own.
Next Steps: Get the Most from Your Smart Thermostat
If you already have a smart thermostat:
Log in to your app and update your schedule to align with PowerShift hours.
Use eco or away modes during peak times.
Set reminders to revisit your settings seasonally.
If you don’t have one yet:
Consider models from Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, or others. Many qualify for utility rebates.
Installation is typically DIY-friendly and pays off quickly under PowerShift.
The Smartest Pair in the House
Pairing your smart thermostat with Rhythm’s PowerShift plan is one of the easiest ways to take control of your energy usage. You’ll save money without feeling the difference, and help build a more resilient Texas grid in the process.
Let your thermostat do the work. Let PowerShift do the saving.
