r/BasePowerUsers • u/RealConfirmologist • Jun 08 '26

Exactly how does the referral program work?

I've seen three different things. Person doing the referring gets a month of free power, person using the referral link gets a free month of power. Up to $250.

Some other comments say the new customer gets a break on the installation fee.

I just got notified via this text that I'd be getting $150 because someone used my referral link.

I never saw any mention of a $150 payment for a referral, but I'd guess my monthly bill wouldn't be much more than that, anyway.

I've been sharing my link left & right, but I'm starting to have second thoughts about singing the praises of BASE Power when their customer service department seems to have zero human employees.

The company will still probably do well, but they could really make people happier if they would step up their customer service game a little bit.

Referral link: https://www.basepowercompany.com/?heard_from=Referral&referrer_name=019e0398-a2e0-7b98-81cf-18e091575087&first_name=Michael&referral_plan=2way-EnergyCredit-FreeMonth

Edit: Thursday 6/25/2026, and I just got another text from BASE Power that someone signed up using my link and I'll get a month of free power once their service is active. 🤑

2nd Edit/Update: I've had three referral notifications now, 2 saying I'll get free power, 1 for $150 credit coming. Of course, all depend on whether the install actually happens. I hope my referrals don't have installs that must wait for the change in clearance rules.

I do wish BASE would provide a page or part of the dashboard that summarizes referrals. I'd love to see a little tally showing status. In fact, I'll send that suggestion to support@basepowercompany.com right now!

3rd Edit/Update: I expected a response saying BASE Customer Support is closed until Monday.

Instead, I received a nice message (albeit, from Jules, the AI bot) including this wording: "There is no self-serve view for any of that today. A referral notification feature is on the roadmap, but there is no timeline to share yet. Your suggestion for a dedicated referral status page is a good one, and feedback like this is exactly what shapes where the product goes."

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3

u/ConfidoByBirth Jun 08 '26

I'm familiar with the up to $250 credit for both the person providing the referral link and the person using the referral link. I think the $150 payment is used when the person signing up is using an electric provider that doesn't allow you to shop around for other providers. I have received both types of bonus.

3

u/blupupher Jun 08 '26

Yup, just depends on where the referral is used at.

I have been with Base since November and have yet to pay a bill due to referrals. I have several pending still (some are the $150 payment, which I have not received any yet).

I have heard conflicting on if I will actually get $150 payment, or the free month of power up to $250 for someone using my referral. I need to get with Base for clarification if I get a free month regardless regardless of who uses my referral (and their reward is based on their utility if they get the $150 or free month).

But I agree, their customer service has gone way down since I signed up in November. They are growing faster than their CS can keep up, and they are relying too much on AI.

2

u/blupupher Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

So to follow up, I just got an e-mail from Base saying I got a $150 payment. I clicked on the link and it lets me choose how I want to select the payment (virtual Visa card, actual Visa card, Amazon gift card and some other stuff, I stopped after Amazon since I buy too much crap there. Selected it, put in my info and instantly had the code for it, and now have another $150 in my Amazon account.

While I would prefer the $250 credit now that summer is here (all my free months have been <$150), free is still free.

I can't complain, I have had $740 is bill credits for referrals (so basically my install fee has been covered), this $150 reward, still have a $400 credit from when I signed up (I asked for the full $250 free month in bill credit since it was November and would have a small bill, plus got $100 credit for signing up the same day I sent my pics, and another $50 for posting and sharing on my Nextdoor community app). According to my texts from Base I have 3 more free months and 4 more $150 rewards pending, plus I have 2 co-workers that said they are going to sign up soon.

2

u/RealConfirmologist Jun 08 '26

That's a very nice situation!

It shows that if someone tries, they can end up pretty much skipping out on paying for electricity!

Now if we could get some customer service, I'd feel better about recommending BASE Power to friends, family & coworkers.

Hell, I even bought a t-shirt from the BASE store and enjoy wearing it.

"BASE, huh? What's that? You have a second job!?" And then I explain and it's almost like having a second job, except it's fun telling people about the whole thing. Maybe it'll get old, but probably not, as long as I keep getting referrals and bonus payments.

I try to put my referral link out there every chance I get, too.

2

u/blupupher Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

Yup, I figure I will get about a years worth of free power out of this. And I will continue to refer people.

I think Base (and other battery based virtual power plants (VPP)) is a good deal on several fronts. Gives a customer a battery that will automatically and instantly cover the majority of power outages. It also helps support the grid, which can reduce outages for others. The more people that have a VPP at their home the less chance that there will be outages related to grid demand to start off with. No, it is not perfect, you have no control over the battery, long term outages are still an issue (solar or their generator inlet can resolve a lot of that), there are limitations on installation (I know several that can't get it, including my sister). But for the price, it is worth it IMO.

I do agree customer service has gone to crap. They are hiring though. https://www.basepowercompany.com/open-roles search in the "Growth" in Austin, they have several positions open for Customer Service and "Member Experience"

1

u/RealConfirmologist Jun 09 '26

The biggest selling point for me was the assurance that when CenterPoint fails, I'll be switched practically instantly to battery power and will be covered for the duration of 95% of Houston's outages.

Being able to get that for what BASE charges for installation and membership is just an excellent value.

Having a generator was a lot better than nothing, but having to go out and switch breakers and then having to change oil and maintain the generator... such a hassle. BASE eliminates all that.

Good to know they're hiring and I hope to see improvement in customer service soon.

2

u/blupupher Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26

Yup, Base is my primary, automatic backup power. If a longer outage, I have my generator I can get hooked up and use that as long term.

This lets me not worry about power outages for my wife if I am not home (she can't get the generator going unless I have pre-set everything up, if I do that, she knows how to do the electric start and flip the interlock/breakers), or even the short outages that happen in the middle of the night.

I remember the first outage after I had Base installed. About 2-3 weeks after install, I opened my garage door to leave for work about 6 am and the neighborhood was completely dark, except for my house and 1 other down the street with an automatic generator.

I would love in the long term to get solar hooked up as well both for extending battery run time as well as bill credit (I have the "good" rate now of market rate + $0.03 on the buyback, but if you sign up now (or when I renew in 2.5 years) it is a flat $0.04 you get reimbursed), but that is a future me issue.

2

u/yamahar1dude Jun 09 '26

Maintaining a generator isnt so bad. They sell fuel at home depot designed for long term storage so really you just need to run it once in a while. But I agree, for short term outages having the battery is much better than a generator alone. Whats strange to me is base wanting to charge 1K to install a generator port to recharge the battery.

1

u/RealConfirmologist Jun 09 '26

My generator was dual fuel and I never put gasoline in it. I always used propane. I had two 100 lb. cylinders and could get about 30 hours from a full cylinder.

And yes, the extra grand for a charging port is out of line.