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SmartCurrents^TM

About the ProgramAbout the Program

Program Details

We're sorry. This program is full and not accepting new enrollments.

We're sorry. The address selected is not eligible for this program because of one or more of these conditions: you must have DTE electric service (natural gas-only customers are not eligible); you can't be on an incompatible rate program; and your account can't be a landlord or collective account. You may need to select another address.

We're sorry. Your account isn't eligible for this program because of one or more of these conditions: you must have DTE electric service (natural gas-only customers are not eligible); you can't be on an incompatible rate program; and your account can't be a landlord or collective account.

Program Eligibility Alert

We're sorry. This account is not eligible for the SmartCurrents program. Please review the program's eligibility details and Terms & Conditions or you can call 1.888.871.0348 for further information.

Take More Control of Your Electricity Bill

SmartCurrents combines the advantages of a free smart thermostat with the Dynamic Peak Pricing rate – lowering your electric rate during most weekday hours and all weekend long. You can save money by reducing electricity use during periods of high demand while helping reduce stress on the grid.

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Program Benefits

A free smart thermostat you can control from your phone

Dynamic Peak Pricing, which costs half the standard rate week nights and all weekend long

Easing strain on the grid, improving reliability

Take More Control of Your Electricity Bill

SmartCurrents combines the advantages of a free smart thermostat with Dynamic Peak Pricing – lower electric costs during most weekday hours and all weekend long. You can save money by reducing electricity use during periods of high demand while helping reduce stress on the grid.

Program benefits include:

A free smart thermostat you can control from your phone

Dynamic Peak Pricing, which costs half the standard rate week nights and all weekend long

Easing strain on the grid, improving reliability

Join Today

How It Works

Your free smart thermostat gives you more control – you can adjust or program your thermostat from your phone.

You can take advantage of lower rate periods with Dynamic Peak Pricing. The cost of electricity varies by time of day, with Off-Peak hours at night and on weekends costing half as much as the standard rate.

See rate details.

You can save money by running your most energy-hungry appliances at times when electricity rates are lower and by reducing your energy use during On-Peak hours.

How It Works

Install your free smart thermostat within 90 days after you are enrolled, or have it professionally installed for free.

Save with Dynamic Peak Pricing by shifting your energy use from On-Peak hours to Off-Peak or Mid-Peak hours.

During Critical Peak Events, your thermostat will automatically help you save on costs by adjusting the temperature by four degrees.

Maximize Program Benefits

After enrolling in SmartCurrents, you will receive a free ecobee3 lite smart thermostat – a $169 value – and the Dynamic Peak Pricing rate. Fulfilling program requirements and maximizing benefits is easy:

Install your free smart thermostat within 90 days after you enroll, or have it professionally installed for free. Learn more.

Stay on Dynamic Peak Pricing (DPP) for at least one year and get the full rate benefits.

During Critical Peak Events, your thermostat will automatically help you save on costs by adjusting the temperature by four degrees. You can always adjust your thermostat during events. Learn more.

Save with Your Free

Smart Thermostat

Take Advantage of Dynamic Peak Pricing

Your electricity use is measured in kilowatts and you are charged a kilowatt hour (kWh) rate. You can save money and energy in the program by knowing and taking advantage of lower rate periods.

As shown below, the price you pay for electricity with Dynamic Peak Pricing varies by time of day.
Off-Peak and Mid-Peak are your lowest and most common rates. You can save by shifting energy use from On-Peak hours to Off-Peak or Mid-Peak. The more you can shift your weekday energy use away from On-Peak hours, the more you'll save.

Off-Peak Rate

4.8 cents per kWh

M - F: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Monday-Friday 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Weekends and holidays

All weekends and holidays

Mid-Peak Rate

9.2 cents per kWh

M - F: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On-Peak Rate

16.6 cents per kWh

Monday - Friday

Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Critical Peak

Critical Peak Rate

95.0 cents per kWh

Rare weekdays*

3 p.m to 7 p.m.

* Critical Peak Rate: Occurs no more than 14 weekdays per year from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For comparison with Dynamic Peak Pricing, the DTE standard electric rate is approximately 9.2 cents per kWh.

For comparison with Dynamic Peak Pricing, the DTE standard electric rate is 9.2 cents per kWh.

SmartCurrents participants have saved an average of 10%.

For more information, please call 888.871.0348 or email us.

Am I Eligible?

You may be eligible for the program if you are a DTE electric customer and have in-home Wi-Fi and central air conditioning.

Own multiple homes? Each home must be enrolled separately.

Rent? You may need your landlord's permission to install the SmartCurrents thermostat.

If you are already on or add a separately metered electric service, tariff or rate program, or if you participate in another DTE billing program like BudgetWise Billing, you are not eligible for SmartCurrents at this time.

See Program Eligibility and Commitments below for a complete program eligibility list and please review the program's Terms & Conditions.

Join Today

Saving With SmartCurrents

Save in All Seasons

In the summer, adjust or program your smart thermostat to start cooling your home before On-Peak hours begin. To save year-round, please see Setting a Schedule.

Take Action and Save

Use energy-hungry appliances, like your washing machine and dishwasher, during Off-Peak hours when electricity rates are lower. See more savings tips.

Make a Habit of Savings

SmartCurrents participants have saved an average of 10% on their electric bill, helped in part by shifting their usage patterns to lower-priced morning, night and weekend times.

Saving With SmartCurrents

SmartCurrents participants have saved an average of 10% on their electric bill, helped in part by shifting some of their energy use to lower-priced morning, night and weekend hours. Here are some savings tips that have proven effective for program participants:

Set a Schedule

Set a schedule on your thermostat to do some of the saving for you. Get tips on setting a schedule.

Shift to Off-Peak Hours

Shift activities, like doing laundry and running the dishwasher, to Off-Peak hours and on the weekend, when electricity rates are lower.

Manage Your Savings

Ensure you receive Critical Peak Event notifications by updating your alert preferences. Monitor your home energy use with the free DTE Insight App.

There are always more ways to save.

Get personalized energy savings tips and visit our 3D Interactive Energy Efficient Home to discover more ways to save money and energy.

Our Commitment

SmartCurrents is designed to help you save money and ease demand on the grid. The program contributes to our commitment to sustaining and improving grid reliability in times of high energy demand, like during a heat wave.

SmartCurrents also reflects our commitment to promoting home energy efficiency and savings. You can save money and energy in the program by knowing the lower rate periods and shifting your energy use to take advantage of them.

Already Have a Smart Thermostat?

You may want to check out the benefits of our Smart Savers program and see if you have a qualifying smart thermostat.

Program Eligibility and Commitments

You may be eligible for the program if you are a DTE electric customer and have in-home Wi-Fi and central air conditioning. Owners of multiple homes must enroll each home separately, and renters may need their landlord's permission to install the SmartCurrents thermostat.

At this time you are not eligible for SmartCurrents if you are already on or add a separately metered electric service, tariff or rate program, or if you participate in Smart Savers, Senior Citizen Credit, Peak Time Savings or BudgetWise Billing.

For more details, please review the program's Terms & Conditions.

After you are enrolled in SmartCurrents, you will need to:

Install your free smart thermostat within 90 days of your enrollment, or have it professionally installed for free.

Stay on Dynamic Peak Pricing (DPP) for one year and get the full rate benefits.

Otherwise, you need only maintain the same eligibility requirements you met when you enrolled: you are a DTE electric customer and have in-home Wi-Fi and central air conditioning. Owners of multiple homes must enroll each home separately, and renters may need their landlord's permission to install the SmartCurrents thermostat.

You are not eligible for SmartCurrents if you are already on or add a separately metered electric service, tariff or rate program, or if you participate in Smart Savers, Senior Citizen Credit, Peak Time Savings or BudgetWise Billing.

For more details, please review the program's Terms & Conditions.

Before you move to a new residence, please contact the SmartCurrents hotline: 888.871.0348.

Let us know when you will be moving. You do not have to uninstall your SmartCurrents thermostat.

If you haven't installed your SmartCurrents thermostat, please request a return envelope for it. You must return the thermostat even if you intend to re-enroll in SmartCurrents after you move into your new residence.

If you wish to re-enroll in SmartCurrents at your new residence, please use the same online enrollment process. We'll send a SmartCurrents thermostat to your new address if you're eligible.

The minimum commitment for the Dynamic Peak Pricing (DPP) rate is 12 months, and DPP is required for participation in SmartCurrents. If after 12 months you wish to be removed from the program, you can do so through your online account or call the SmartCurrents hotline: 888.871.0348.

You may also opt out of the thermostat control portion of SmartCurrents and remain on DPP at any time by calling the hotline. Please note that doing so may lead to higher bills. SmartCurrents participants who saved an average of 10% on their electric bill allowed automatic thermostat adjustments during Critical Peak Events.

The minimum commitment for the Dynamic Peak Pricing (DPP) rate is 12 months, and DPP is required for participation in SmartCurrents. If after 12 months you wish to be removed from the program, you can do so through your online account or by calling the SmartCurrents hotline: 888.871.0348. You will receive instructions for returning your free smart thermostat.

If you have not yet fulfilled your 12-month commitment for the Dynamic Peak Pricing rate, you may ask to be removed from Dynamic Peak Pricing during the program cancellation process. Your request will be reviewed and you will be contacted regarding your request.

You may opt out of the thermostat control portion of SmartCurrents and remain on DPP at any time by calling the hotline. Please note that doing so may lead to higher bills. SmartCurrents participants who saved an average of 10% on their electric bill allowed automatic thermostat adjustments during Critical Peak Events.

Critical Peak Events

A Critical Peak Event is announced when extraordinary situations or energy demand strain the grid and costs are at their highest, like during a heat wave. Your actions to save money and energy during Critical Peak events helps give the grid a break, improving reliability in times of high energy demand.

SmartCurrents participants will be notified up to 24 hours or at least six hours (9 a.m.) before a Critical Peak Event is announced. You select two channels for alerts, choosing from among automated phone call, text message or email to ensure you can prepare for these events. Events will only occur on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (four hours) and are limited to a maximum of 14 events (56 hours) per calendar year.

On the Dynamic Peak Pricing rate, the cost of electricity rises during Critical Peak events to 95 cents per kWh to encourage customers to reduce electricity use in their household. DTE will automatically adjust your temperature setting by four degrees when the event begins to help reduce your usage. If needed, you can override the thermostat adjustment.

A Critical Peak Event is announced when extraordinary situations or energy demand strain the grid and costs are at their highest, like during a heat wave. Your actions to save money and energy during Critical Peak events help give the grid a break, improving reliability in times of high energy demand.

SmartCurrents participants will be notified up to 24 hours or at least six hours (9 a.m.) before a Critical Peak Event is announced. You select two channels for alerts, choosing from among automated phone call, text message or email to ensure you can prepare for these events. Events will only occur on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (four hours) and are limited to a maximum of 14 events (56 hours) per calendar year. Be sure to keep your alert preferences up to date.

In the summer, adjust your thermostat to pre-cool your home prior to the event. Run the dishwasher or do laundry before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m., or wait until the weekend. Unplug or shift your use of entertainment and computer components and nonessential appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers. Charge devices before the event, and help keep cool by closing blinds or curtains on the sunny side of your home.

Dynamic Peak Pricing

With the Dynamic Peak Pricing (DPP) rate, the cost of your electricity will vary by time of day. As shown on the DPP rate chart, you can save money by shifting your electricity use to lower rate periods – nights and all-day Saturday and Sunday – that are about half the cost of the standard residential electric rate during those times.

Customers on this plan have saved an average of 10% on electric supply costs, depending on their usage patterns. As part of the agreement when you enroll, you must remain on the new Dynamic Peak Pricing rate for 12 months.

Since the cost of your electricity will vary by time of day, consider how you might take advantage of lower Mid-Peak and Off-Peak rates. Can you run your dishwasher and clothes washer at night, or on the weekend? Are you able to reduce your electricity use during all or part of weekday On-Peak hours (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)?

The more action you can take to reduce your energy use and shift as much use to Off-Peak or Mid-Peak hours, the more likely you will save with Dynamic Peak Pricing.

You can save money and energy in the program by knowing and taking advantage of lower rate periods (Mid-Peak and Off-Peak hours) all weekend hours and weekdays, all hours except from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Pre-cool your home. During summer months, take advantage of Off-Peak and Mid-Peak hours by programming your smart thermostat to run your air conditioner before 3 p.m. and then allow the temperature to rise during On-Peak hours. Close blinds and drapes, especially on sunny days.

In the winter, consider lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees during On-Peak hours, when sleeping and when no one is home.

Shift activities, like doing laundry and running the dishwasher, to Off-Peak hours and on the weekend. The more electricity usage you shift to Off-Peak and Mid-Peak hours, the more money you can save.

Stop Power Vampires. Use power strips to power down TVs, gaming equipment and computer components, and unplug chargers, toasters and coffeemakers. Electronic appliances and devices continue to draw energy even when they are plugged in but not being used.

Keep your notification preferences up to date to ensure you receive Critical Peak Event alerts before the event will happen.

Use the free DTE Insight App to monitor and manage your home energy use. Pair the Insight App with DTE's Energy Bridge – a hub for managing your home energy use from a smart device, whether you're home or away.

Off-Peak hours also apply on these holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Your Smart Thermostat

The free ecobee3 lite smart thermostat you receive is ENERGY STAR® certified and has excellent ratings from independent reviewers for its features and performance.

To help reduce your energy usage during a Critical Peak Event, your thermostat will automatically adjust your temperature setting by four degrees during the event. You may override the thermostat adjustment, if needed.

You become the owner of the smart thermostat on the fifth anniversary of your enrollment in SmartCurrents. DTE maintains ownership of the thermostat until then.

You should receive your smart thermostat less than 14 days after your enrollment in SmartCurrents is complete. If you don't receive your thermostat in 14 days, please call the SmartCurrents hotline: 888.871.0348.

Most program participants can install the thermostat in less than an hour. You can also ask DTE to provide a professional technician to install your thermostat for you at no cost.

To schedule a free professional installation or ask questions about installing your thermostat, please call 888.871.0348. The hotline will also provide updated public health guidance and how it may impact professional installations.

You are responsible for any loss or damage to the thermostat.

No. You must install the DTE-supplied SmartCurrents thermostat in order to participate in SmartCurrents. If you already own a smart thermostat and do not wish to use the SmartCurrents thermostat, the DTE Smart Savers program may be a better option for you.

To review specific information about the thermostat and its compatibility with your furnace, please visit the ecobee website.

For more information, please call 888.871.0348 or email us.

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SmartCurrents^TM

Program Eligibility Alert

Take More Control of Your Electricity Bill

Take More Control of Your Electricity Bill

How It Works

How It Works

Maximize Program Benefits

Take Advantage of Dynamic Peak Pricing

Am I Eligible?

Saving With SmartCurrents

Save in All Seasons

Take Action and Save

Make a Habit of Savings

Saving With SmartCurrents

Set a Schedule

Shift to Off-Peak Hours

Manage Your Savings

There are always more ways to save.

Our Commitment

Already Have a Smart Thermostat?

Program Eligibility and Commitments

Critical Peak Events

Dynamic Peak Pricing

Your Smart Thermostat

We're sorry. Account Error.

We're sorry. Technical Error.

SmartCurrentsTM

Program Eligibility Alert

Take More Control of Your Electricity Bill

Take More Control of Your Electricity Bill

How It Works

How It Works

Maximize Program Benefits

Take Advantage of Dynamic Peak Pricing

Am I Eligible?

Saving With SmartCurrents

Save in All Seasons

Take Action and Save

Make a Habit of Savings

Saving With SmartCurrents

Set a Schedule

Shift to Off-Peak Hours

Manage Your Savings

There are always more ways to save.

Our Commitment

Already Have a Smart Thermostat?

Program Eligibility and Commitments

Critical Peak Events

Dynamic Peak Pricing

Your Smart Thermostat

SmartCurrents^TM