Resideo Grid Services, a leader in demand response aggregation and program management, has integrated Trane smart thermostats into its utility demand response programs. The collaboration brings Trane’s connected HVAC systems into Resideo’s edge distributed energy resource management system (edge-DERMS), broadening participation for Trane device owners, increasing dispatchable load for utilities and showcasing how manufacturers and aggregators can work together to deliver greater comfort, efficiency and grid support. The integration represents a strategic collaboration between Resideo and Trane, marking an important step forward in advancing energy flexibility through connected HVAC systems. 

Building Capacity in ERCOT 

The program is now active in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market, where extreme weather continues to drive record-breaking electricity demand. By enrolling Trane smart thermostats in Resideo’s platform, participating households can contribute to grid reliability. Devices will be validated against performance benchmarks to confirm their ability to deliver the same capacity reduction as other devices Resideo aggregates across its portfolio. 

“This integration is an important learning opportunity for both Resideo and Trane demonstrating how industry collaboration and common standards can simplify participation for manufacturers and utilities alike,” said Michael Siemann, PhD, Director of Technology at Resideo Grid Services and HCA Energy Management Task Force Chair.  

Expanding the Value of HVAC Systems 

Through this collaboration, Resideo Grid Services is extending support to advanced variable-speed HVAC systems. Unlike single-stage systems, variable-speed equipment can adjust heating and cooling output in smaller increments, enabling more precise load shaping and greater overall energy reduction. For utilities, this provides new capacity resources. For homeowners, it helps to ensure energy savings and comfort are balanced even during grid events. 

“This program gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how Trane’s connected HVAC systems can support both homeowners and the grid,” said Paul Parish, GM, Digital, Residential HVAC, Trane Technologies. “By participating alongside Resideo, we expect to gain valuable insights into how advanced equipment performs in real-world energy programs and how we can deliver greater value to our customers and utility partners.” 

A Milestone for Interoperability 

The initiative also represents the first live deployment of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA) Energy Management Specification 1.0, which enables secure, cloud-to-cloud interoperability between brands, leading to energy usage insights and cost savings.   

“The HCA Energy Management Specification is designed to give consumers more choice and utilities more flexibility,” said Yoon Ho Choi, President of the Home Connectivity Alliance. “This integration illustrates how collaboration between manufacturers and aggregators can turn standards into tangible grid benefits.” 

Looking Ahead 

Resideo Grid Services currently manages more than 2,400 demand response events annually, dispatching hundreds of megawatts of capacity across utility programs in North America. With the addition of Trane smart thermostats, the company continues to expand the diversity of devices and systems available for participation, giving utilities more ways to reduce load during times of peak demand. 

Following successful validation in ERCOT, Resideo Grid Services and Trane will look to expand into additional utility programs in 2026, creating new opportunities for utilities to achieve greater load reduction and for households to participate in energy management with the devices they use every day.