Our family is highly connected, which means at any given moment, we have at least 3 tech devices connected and running (and that’s probably a pretty significant underestimation). When you factor in the appliances I run simultaneously (washer and dryer, dishwasher, etc.) and the AC that is keeping us from melting, that energy adds up, and the result is a bill that was consistently high over the summer. The start of the school year comes with a new set of rules, including disconnecting from devices to study and focus on academic growth. There are so many reasons to disconnect, not the least of which includes the financial and environmental savings. OhmConnect recognizes the value in disconnecting, so much so that they want to pay you to do so!

What is OhmConnect?

I first learned about OhmConnect through our partners at Mommy Nearest. The free service, available to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric customers, helps you use energy when it is the cleanest, and pays you to save when it is “dirty.” Once a week, you will receive a notification to save energy for one hour. If you are successful, you will receive a cash incentive.

Signing up is easy and takes just a few minutes. Simply input your contact information and connect your utility account. After the information is confirmed by OhmConnect, you will be eligible to participate in the #OhmHour which is how you earn cash for saving energy.

How Do I Earn Cash Back from OhmConnect?

I remember when blackouts, particularly during the summer, were frequent. Our summers here in California are warm, and once the work day ends and everyone is home, the grid becomes stressed with families running laundry, turning up their AC, and relaxing over TV or video games. When the grid is stressed, dirty, inefficient power plants turn on and this is when you can save energy if you unplug.

California pays OhmConnect for energy saved from their community. Those savings are passed to OhmConnect members as cash back. Once per week, you will receive a notification to save energy for one hour. If you are successful (determined by OhmConnect using your Utility account), you will receive cash. On your dashboard, you can opt in to text and/or email notifications regarding upcoming #OhmHour time slots. This service is completely free and you can opt out at any time.

Tips for Saving Energy During Peak Hours

Once you have received a notification regarding the next #OhmHour, you can reduce the energy you use by turning off lights, unplugging unused electronics, adjust the heating or AC temperature in your home. Connect a smart device, and OhmConnect will automatically switch them off for you.

Turn off the lights in rooms that are not being used. During this time, you can use candles or even dine al fresco.
Unplug any chargers and electronics that use energy even when turned off. This includes computers, TVs, phone chargers, and small electric appliances in the kitchen or bathroom.
Avoid running major appliances such as your dishwasher, washer and dryer, vacuum cleaner, or any power tools during peak hours.
Turn off pool or hot-tub heaters and cleaners.
Adjust the temperature on your AC up or on your heater down. You can also connect a smart thermostat and enable OhmConnect to do this for your during peak hours.
Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer, particularly on hot days.

Creative Ways to Disconnect and Spend More Time Together as a Family

Once you have committed to unplugging and reducing your energy usage, you might be wondering what to do during that time. Without devices, it takes a bit of creativity. Our first #OhmHour started at 6 pm on a Friday. So while it was still light, we decided to grab a bite to eat outside and then take a walk around our lake. Honestly, the hour went by so quickly that we did not even notice that we were saving energy. Our next #OhmHour took place that same night between 8 pm and 9 pm. My kids typically go to bed around 8:30, so we used my phone’s light to read a story before bedtime.

During the week, unplugging and refraining from appliance usage is more of a challenge. Everything from dinner and dishes to homework requires a bit of extra planning. I’ve realized that in order to avoid energy usage during our particular area’s peak times, I need to make dinner earlier and encourage my kids to start homework earlier (so that they maximize the amount of natural light coming into our home).

OhmConnect has a dual purpose…to help you save energy and disconnect in order to enjoy more time with your family. Here are some of my favorite ways to unplug with my kids.

Spend 30-60 minutes playing at the park (this could be the time when you practice playing softball with your daughter or kicking the soccer ball around with your son)
Take a 30 minute walk as a family
Play a board game outside
Get ice cream together as a family
Take a family bike ride
Go swimming as a family (if it is warm enough)
Read a story together

Do you want to help save energy, earn money, and spend more time with your family? Join OhmConnect today. And, if you sign up here, you will receive $10 for enrolling and an additional $10 when you connect a smart device.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.