Employees who are residential customers of FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities – The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison – can save energy and earn a rebate up to $75 through Sept. 30 with the purchase of an ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat.

In addition to providing energy savings, the devices offer environmental benefits and convenience while giving customers added insight into their home energy use.

A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings in one’s home for optimal performance. With remote features, users can regulate the temperature and comfort settings for their home based on their schedule.

Nearly half of a home’s energy costs can come from heating and cooling, totaling more than $900 per year. Smart thermostats give customers more control over their home’s temperature settings and may help save money during these difficult times.

“Hot summer weather, coupled with more time at home during the COVID-19 health emergency, can increase electricity use, resulting in higher electric bills,” said Nicole Williams, manager, Energy Efficiency Residential Program Implementation. “Smart thermostat technology can be helpful in saving money by automatically adjusting temperature settings to keep you comfortable when you are home and switching to energy-saving settings when you are away.”

The $75 rebates are available for both online and in-store purchases. For more details on the program or to submit a rebate, visit www.energysaveOhio.com.