What are #OhmHours? #OhmHours are specific times of the day you can earn money by saving energy. These occur when people use more energy than expected and and the grid is on the verge of turning on "dirty" energy sources. To prevent this, OhmConnect users save energy to prevent that power plant from turning on. The award price per kWh saved during an #OhmHour will change from event to event and from location to location.
When are #Ohmhours? #OhmHours occur randomly and are almost impossible to predict. They're random because they're caused when people use more energy than is expected. We try to give you as much notice as possible --sometimes a day in advance--but sometimes OhmConnect isn't notified until just before the start of the event. If you are a Silver+ user you have 15 minutes into the start of the hour to opt out; otherwise, you risk losing points if you use more energy than your forecast.
Why should I join a team? You may choose to join or create a team for a few reasons: 1. Team members can pool earnings and donate to an entity of choice. 2. Teams can earn badges, which can be redeemed for rewards3. Teams encourage participation. And of course, the more people engaged, the greater energy savings we see.
Why does my Dashboard show "TBD"? It takes us between 24-48 hours to update your data after you participate in an #OhmHour. If it's been longer and you're still seeing "TBD," we may be having a problem pulling your data.
When can I cash out? You can cash out at any time, provided you have at least 1000 points in your account.
How do I verify my email address? When trying to cash out, you may be asked to verify your email address. OhmConnect uses two-factor authentication to provide you with extra security. This means that you need to verify both your system email address, as well as your PayPal email address, if it differs. To resend a verification email to either of your email addresses, navigate to Settings >> User Profile >> System Email >> "Edit" >> "Resend Verification."
How can I earn more points? OhmConnect users with a status of Silver+ earn points through OhmHours. All users, however, can earn points by referring eligible users. Find your referral link and access easy share widgets now.
What if I have solar? Users who have solar can still participate! If you normally generate 3kWh of electricity and use 2kWh of electricity, your "normal" baseline is -1kWh. However, if you reduce your usage from 2kWh to 1kWh during an #OhmHour, we can still pay you for your reduction of 1kWh. The way it works is that you actually consume -2kWh when you used to consume -1kWh and we can pay you for that 1kWh saved.
How is my data used and secured? All personal information is encrypted through robust AES 256 bit CBC encryption algorithms and stored on physically isolated servers. Security is top of mind and we use the strongest security protocols at every junction. Your utility company and the energy market (CAISO) will cross-check and verify the data so that you can be rewarded for participating in #OhmHour events. OhmConnect does not sell your data to third parties, nor does it share your data with any parties besides your utility and the energy market.
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