Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) on Thursday introduced a winter demand response program through a partnership with participating smart thermostat manufacturers.

The Smart Therm Program by the Los Angeles-based Sempra Energy utility, is designed to conserve gas during the most severe cold weather events. Residential customers agree to have their smart thermostats be remotely adjusted by up to 4 degrees when a cold weather event. Participants may receive $50 and an additional $25 for remaining in the program through April 1.

When a cold weather event is called on a non-holiday weekday, participants are notified via smartphone or email that their thermostats will be automatically adjusted for a four-hour period. Customers who enroll in the program can manually adjust their thermostat at any time.

SoCal’s Dand Rendler, director of customer programs and assistance, said the utility is aiming to enroll 50,000 participants this winter. SoCalGas also recently launched a similar voluntary demand response alert system designed to encourage customers to reduce gas use during peak usage periods.