Smarter Homes, Even Stronger Grid: How Reliant is Powering the Future of Energy in Texas

In Texas, we know a thing or two about extremes – whether it’s the summer heat, the size of our state or the anticipated growth of our energy needs. With electricity demand expected to more than double by 2031, the question isn’t just how we generate more power. It also needs to be about how we get smarter about using it. Research shows that nearly a quarter of Texas homes sit empty during peak hours, presenting a major opportunity to optimize energy use without burdening consumers.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Smarter Home Bundle, a new offer from Reliant and Vivint, both NRG companies, designed to help Texas homeowners better manage their energy consumption.

A New Chapter in Energy Innovation

For decades, the energy industry’s answer to rising demand was simple: increase supply by building more power plants. But today, we have new tools and innovative technologies in our toolbox to empower customers and help us be smarter about how to meet growing demand. Smart thermostats, connected devices and real-time data are transforming how we interact with the energy we all use. And when deployed at scale, these tools can do more than make life convenient – they can add power to the grid.

The Smarter Home Bundle is Reliant’s latest step in that direction. This free add-on to Reliant electricity plans includes a Vivint smart thermostat and video doorbell camera, both professionally installed through a white-glove service. The smart thermostat is pre-enrolled in Reliant’s demand response program called Degrees of Difference, which allows us to make small, temporary adjustments to home temperatures during peak demand periods. Customers remain in control and can override changes at any time, but when thousands of homes participate, the collective impact is powerful. This is one of the ways we are working toward NRG’s commitment of creating a 1 gigawatt virtual power plant (VPP) by 2035. A residential VPP is a network of in-home devices – like smart thermostats and home batteries – that work together to balance supply and demand. We can be smarter about these connected devices and call on them during peak demand periods to release stored energy or adjust consumption to ease strain on the grid.

The Power of Insight

More data gives us a better picture of how to serve our customers. We know most customers aren’t home all day and we know they want to reduce their energy usage and save money. Through continued adoption of smart thermostats, there is a significant opportunity to be smarter with our resources without placing a burden on the consumer to take action.

And it’s not just about the grid. It’s about giving customers what they want. Our research at NRG shows that 70% of people are looking for an “all-in-one” smart home management solution. With the Smarter Home Bundle, they get exactly that. Through the Vivint app, customers can control their thermostat and track energy usage and insights, check their video doorbell, monitor solar performance, schedule EV charging – all from one place.

Making Smart Simple

For some Texans, incorporating technology like this can be intimidating. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of the process with free professional installation and ongoing support. We’re not just handing customers tech – we’re delivering a seamless experience that makes it easier for all homeowners to adopt and become engaged users.

Why It Matters

While the Smarter Home Bundle is rooted in convenience, it’s also about reliability. Every smart thermostat installed is a step toward a more flexible, responsive grid. Every connected home is a building block in a stronger energy system. And every customer can be part of a movement that’s reshaping how Texas powers its future.

At Reliant, we’re proud to serve more than a million Texans. We know their needs and their expectations. Texans want solutions that are simple, reliable and forward-thinking. And we’re excited to keep delivering solutions that are as unique and diverse as our customers in the great Lone Star State.