Connecting MHA's Phase II Residential Demand Response Pilot Comes to a Close

SmartMark, along with its partners, study the impact of smart home technology and demand response on Murfreesboro Housing Authority residents

August 29, 2025 – SmartMark Communication's wraps up the Connecting MHA Residential Demand Response Through Connecting MHA pilot program after one year of monthly demand response events, called Smart Energy Days. The pilot utilized the free fiber Murfreesboro Housing Authority (MHA) residents received through a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Connected Communities grant in 2023.

The pilot program installed smart thermostats and water heaters in participants homes and provided access to a free app where they could control the devices. The pilot team, which included representatives from MHA, TVA, Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and ACE IoT, worked collaboratively to call up to three Smart Energy Days per month. Each event lasted three hours in addition to pre-cooling or pre-heating. Participants received $15 Visa gift cards each month they participated.

SmartMark's goal was to educate customers on the new technology and demand response program in hopes they would save energy, money and increase customer satisfaction.

Learn more about the pilot here.