[In case anyone thinks I'm making this up, I also attached a screenshot of the email between me and Matt]
I brought to OC's attention that users weren't happy about no longer getting points when OC automatically shuts off devices during an #OhmHour. I provided them with screenshots of the posts that were made in the forums. I've copied and pasted them below for reference. Here's the response from the co-founder of OhmConnect, Matt Duesterberg:
"Thanks Vince.
One of the biggest areas of change is that we are trying to put more value into the #OhmHours and align the points that we provide our users to the money that we get from the CAISO market. Unfortunately, even if we turn off a device, a user may actually not reduce their energy. Take the following example:
Bob has a baseline of 2 kWh
Bob is currently using 5 kWh
Bob has his thermostat shut off to reduce his energy consumption by 2 kWh
Bob uses 3 kWh but has a baseline of 2 kWh and therefore does not earn any value for reducing
There is an issue where we incorrectly indicated that the 50 points have been turned off. That was an incorrect statement and is currently not the case. In fact, we have given out over 30,000 points in just the past week for device turnoffs. We apologize about the confusion. We are considering turning off the 50 points for device turnoffs, but there will be points available in other ways and we will socialize this on the boards beforehand.
Sorry about the confusion there and thanks for giving us a heads up. Please relay this message onto the other members of the community if you can."
=============================================================================================================================================================
SD Chip
Gary Fruchey wrote..."After complaining about the lack of notification and auto shut-off, I've been informed that points for auto shut-off are no longer being given and that confirmation points are on the way out as well. Additionally they cannot notify everyone of an Ohmhour so they don't bother after a certain amount of time. I don't see any incentive for remaining in the program." I responded...."I agree Gary...removing all incentive to participate in an event is totally backwards. Changing the program at their whim is also discouraging.. I thought this programs main incentive was to have clean air. If we don't get the notifications....how can we make that happen OC?
" Anyone else have anything to add?
June 3rd, 12:55 PM
6 replies
Kate from OhmConnect
The main incentive for users, we hope, is earning points through reducing energy. My intention is to imply that we reserve the right to change our point system. We may still give out points for automatic shut off. However, we see that users with smart devices already earn more, so the encouragement may be for naught.
June 3rd, 1:52 PM
SD Chip
But what if you purposely obtained smart devices taking into consideration that the 50pts would reduce the payback period?? The most I have been receiving for reductions in energy usage average about 19 points. Would take ALOT of OH's to help pay for these devices.
June 3rd, 2:02 PM
Gary Fruchey
But if I can't be notified, I have no incentive at all. My devices haven't been turned off 4 of the last 5 Ohmhours. There hasn't been a chance for me to earn the 10 to 20 points that I might have earned without the incentive. Turning the AC off for an hour to earn a dime, isn't much of an incentive during triple digit temperatures.
June 3rd, 2:13 PM
Joe S
Kate, I am now "earning" about 15 cents per OhmHour if there are no other incentives. I want transparency as to how the funds are being distributed. You are handing out tens of thousands of dollars for referrals, but can't afford more the a few cents for reductions? That is NOT what I signed up for. In fact, what I signed up for was the free JuiceBox which never happened, either. Please explain to us WHY we should stay in the program...explain the facts about the Ohm Hour earnings and how they are distributed.
June 3rd, 2:31 PM
Danny ter Haar
Kate: Ohmconnect has really gone mad imo. If you really want to start people aware of power savings you should encourage to pay people when they automate switching off their load. If you want to save money, you should get rid of the $20 incentive program _NOW_.
June 3rd, 4:16 PM
Big-Saver
I believe we need to get it to the attention of Matt and Curtis ...I do not think, they are realizing the backlash on these unpopular measures ...Now apart form the 10-20 max points I can earn per OH only other points seems to be 10points for visiting this site. For this I had to un-enroll from the PGE smart rate program. I do not think the incentive is worth the time spend on this site.
" Anyone else have anything to add?