# Link your Reliant account to join Degrees of Difference > What is the Degrees of Difference program The Degrees of Difference program is a free energy management tool offered by Reliant Energy Its designed to hel Source: https://support.renewhome.com/en_us/link-your-reliant-account-to-join-degrees-of-difference-ByRQ7NPQlx Last updated: 2026-09-16T13:56:45.729Z # What is the Degrees of Difference program? The [Degrees of Difference program](https://www.reliant.com/en/residential/electricity/energy-management/degrees-of-difference-rewards) is a free energy management tool offered by Reliant Energy. It's designed to help reduce electricity usage, especially during periods of high electricity demand. Once enrolled, your compatible Nest thermostat will automatically participate during an event to help reduce your electricity use. Events can be called at any time of the year. During these events, your thermostat will automatically adjust by up to 4°F for a maximum of 4 hours. You’re always in control and have the ability to override adjustments on your device or in the app at any time. This program is [powered by Renew Home](/en_us/learn-about-nest-renew-HJauIeBzye), which supports a seamless experience integrated with your compatible Nest thermostat. ## What do you need to participate? To participate in the Degrees of Difference program with Renew Home, you need to be a Reliant electricity account holder with an active electricity Smart Meter at your service address and have the following: * A [compatible Nest thermostat](https://support.renewhome.com/en_us/what-do-you-need-to-participate-in-nest-renew-rkhwgPHMke), with an active Google Home or Google Nest account.  * Your compatible Nest thermostat must be installed, connected to working Wi-Fi, and you must have completed the enrollment process. * If you need help setting up your Nest thermostat, visit [Google Nest Help](https://support.google.com/googlenest/thermostats#topic=9361772). ## How do you sign up? Follow these steps to enroll in Degrees of Difference by linking your Reliant account. For a new Nest thermostat The option to link your Reliant account to enroll in Degrees of Difference will be presented when you first set up your Nest thermostat in the Google Home or Google Nest app. _This option is only available for compatible Nest thermostats in eligible regions_. 1. After hardware installation, select **Next** on the screen that says ‘See how your thermostat helps you save.’ 2. Select **OK** on the screen that describes ‘Energy Shifts help you save.’ 3. Select **Continue** on the next screen regarding ‘Link your energy account to save more on your bill.’ 4. Select your energy provider by choosing **Reliant Energy** from the Energy provider dropdown. Select **Continue**. 5. Select **Link account** on the program summary screen for Reliant. 6. You’ll be asked to fill in your Reliant credentials to connect your account. This is the same information you use to log in to your Reliant account online. Select **Log in**. 7. On the ‘Sign up for Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats’ screen, select **Confirm sign-up** after reviewing and accepting the [Reliant Degrees of Difference Smart Thermostat Program Terms and Conditions](https://www.reliant.com/content/dam/reliant/en/shared/disclaimer/residential/electricity/energy-management/vpp-degrees-of-difference/VPP%202.0%20-%20Reliant%20Degrees%20of%20Difference%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20FINAL%2020250602_EN.pdf).  8. You’re all set for now. Tap **Close** in the upper left corner. You’ll receive an email once Reliant has processed your request. ## How does it work? **Events** Your compatible Nest thermostat will automatically participate during an event to help reduce your electricity used. Events can be called at any time during the year.  During an event, a gold gear icon will appear on the display of your Nest thermostat and in the Google Home app to let you know an event is taking place.[Footnote 11](#first-foot-note-1) Your Nest thermostat will automatically adjust by no more than 4°F and will return to its original set temperature after the event is done. Events can be called year-round, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time, and there can be more than one per day. Remember, you're always in control and can opt out of an event by simply adjusting your thermostat. Events are more likely to occur during the summer and winter months when electricity demand is typically higher. In the event of an energy emergency, Reliant may choose to call a critical event, which could occur at any time throughout the day. **Rewards** A Degrees of Difference program year runs from November 1st to October 31st. Your participation will be measured based on eligible event hours, rounded to the nearest minute. Provided you have participated in at least 50% of total demand response event hours, and at least one Degrees of Difference event, you will receive a $40 bill credit within two billing cycles of the program year end date. For full details on the program, including eligibility and reward requirements, refer to the [Reliant Degrees of Difference Smart Thermostat Program Terms and Conditions](https://www.reliant.com/content/dam/reliant/en/shared/disclaimer/residential/electricity/energy-management/vpp-degrees-of-difference/VPP%202.0%20-%20Reliant%20Degrees%20of%20Difference%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20FINAL%2020250602_EN.pdf) or contact Reliant support by calling them at **1-866-222-7100**. ## Helpful tips * **Energy Shift:** Users in Degrees of Difference will receive a type of energy shift called a Rewards shift. During a Rewards shift, you’ll see a gold gear icon on the display of your Nest thermostat and in the Google Home app to let you know an event is taking place. There are also two other types of energy shifts typically available to Nest Renew users, called ‘Standard savings’ and ‘Time-of-use savings.’ During a ‘Standard savings’ or ‘Time-of-use savings’ shift, you will see a green leaf icon on the display of your Nest thermostat. You can [learn more about those energy shifts here](/en_us/what-is-energy-shift-HkiGLBSf1e). * **You’re always in control:** Remember, you’re always in control and can opt out of an event at any time by changing the temperature on your thermostat or directly in the app. Your Nest thermostat will also keep the temperatures you set and return to your regular schedule after the event.  * **How to unenroll:** You can opt out of any event as described above. If you’d like to unenroll from the Degrees of Difference program, [click here to learn more](https://support.renewhome.com/en_us/unenroll-from-degrees-of-difference-with-reliant-ryCWf_yEex). If you’d like to unenroll from Nest Renew, [click here to learn more](https://support.renewhome.com/en_us/unenroll-from-nest-renew-rkXpdXrzJx). [Jump to reference 11](#first-foot-note-1-0) If you have the Nest Thermostat (review this guide to [determine the model of your Nest thermostat](https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9246551?hl=en-CA)), you may also see ‘Rush Hour’ beside the gold gear icon during an event. If you are familiar with a [program called](/en_us/learn-about-rush-hour-rewards-ry5GZAjdxx) [Rush Hour Rewards](/en_us/learn-about-rush-hour-rewards-ry5GZAjdxx), you’ll recognize ‘Rush Hour’ is also displayed during a Rush Hour Rewards event. If you see ‘Rush Hour’ on your thermostat and didn’t sign up for Rush Hour Rewards, you are participating in a Rewards shift as part of the Degrees of Difference program. * * * [Terms & Conditions](#first-foot-note-5-0)Nest Renew is powered by Renew Home in partnership with Google Nest. Refer to [Google Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms), [Nest Additional Terms of Service](https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/9327735?hl=en) and [Google Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy). [Terms & Conditions](#first-foot-note-6-0)Rush Hour Rewards is powered by Renew Home in partnership with Google Nest. Refer to [Rush Hour Rewards Terms of Service](https://support.renewhome.com/en_us/categories/rush-hour-rewards-terms-and-conditions-Bkf48Bqpxl) and [Google Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy). [Terms & Conditions](#first-foot-note-7-0)Additional features and offerings, such as Energy Provider linking, are provided by Renew Home. Refer to [Renew Home Terms of Service](https://legal.renewhome.com/terms-of-service) and [Renew Home Privacy Policy](https://legal.renewhome.com/privacy-policy). [Terms & Conditions](#first-foot-note-8-0)Degrees of Difference program is offered by Reliant Energy and is subject to its [Program Terms and Conditions](https://www.reliant.com/content/dam/reliant/en/shared/disclaimer/residential/electricity/energy-management/vpp-degrees-of-difference/VPP%202.0%20-%20Reliant%20Degrees%20of%20Difference%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20FINAL%2020250602_EN.pdf).