Tierra Resource Consultants validates NRG's integrated energy and smart home platform as proven path to household affordability, with savings reaching up to $300¹ annually in certain regions
HOUSTON, TX— May 18, 2026 — An independent year-long analysis of 50,000 U.S. households found that smart home technology reduces energy bills by an average of $210 per year, delivering consistent savings across climate zones and usage patterns.
The study, conducted by Tierra Resource Consultants using real-world thermostat data from Vivint households across five major U.S. climate zones, confirms that the widely used technology already in over a million American homes delivers real, sustained savings on household energy bills.
"American families shouldn't have to choose between a comfortable home and an affordable one. For most households, heating and cooling represent the single largest and most controllable line on their energy bill—yet most never act on it," said Brad Bentley, president of NRG Consumer. "This study measured real homes and found real savings—without asking customers to change how they live. It demonstrates what a more connected approach can deliver, and it’s why we’re so focused on making smart energy technologies available to more customers across North America.”
Tierra Resource Consultants analyzed thermostat performance data from 50,000 Vivint Smart Comfort households over a full year, measuring performance against standard thermostats at a 72°F baseline average temperature setting. Key findings:
$210 average annual savings per household on heating and cooling costs, weighted across U.S. climate zones
Up to $300 in annual savings for households in certain higher-demand regions
4x better energy performance compared to standalone programmable thermostats
13% average reduction in HVAC runtime, including a nearly 16% reduction in cooling and 12% reduction in heating
NRG serves approximately eight million customers across North America as both an electricity supplier and smart home technology. That integrated approach—operating on both sides of the meter—allows NRG to optimize energy consumption at the household level in ways standalone utilities or technology companies cannot replicate independently.
Enrollment in Smart Comfort can also build virtual power plant (VPP) capacity, enabling connected homes to reduce or redirect energy use during periods of high demand. NRG operates nearly 200 megawatts of enrolled capacity – one of the nation’s largest residential VPP programs -- with a target of one gigawatt by 2035 in Texas. The same technology that cuts a household's energy bill today builds the grid capacity that keeps bills lower tomorrow.
Tierra Resource Consultants conducted an independent analysis of 50,000 Vivint households across five major U.S. climate zones, comparing energy consumption against households using standard non-adaptive thermostat functionality over a full year. The study compared energy consumption by Smart Comfort users against households using a baseline condition in which users set thermostats, for heating and cooling, at an average year-round temperature of 72°F, which is consistent with ASHRAE and DOE comfort standards and the methodology used by leading thermostat manufacturers for published savings comparisons. Results reflect real household performance data.
NRG is a leading provider of electricity, natural gas, and smart home solutions to eight million customers across North America. The company operates a customer-first platform supported by a diversified supply strategy and the safe, reliable operation of approximately 25 GW of power generation. NRG plays a meaningful role in competitive energy markets and our innovative team is creating the flexible and affordable solutions that households and large businesses need today and in the future.
¹ Estimated energy savings are based on an independent, year‑long study of homes using Vivint’s Smart Comfort system. Energy savings are estimates, not guaranteed, and vary by climate, home characteristics, usage, and user behavior. Most customers will save less. Click here for more information.
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