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| What is the load cycling program? - Participating customers receive a special programmable thermostat, at no charge, that allows central air conditioning units to be cycled off for two to four hours up to 25 times per year.
Why is Springs Utilities offering this program? - To better understand our growing air conditioning load.
- Cycling of air conditioners helps us use our power plants more efficiently.
- Cycling may defer the need to build new power plants, which leads to lower electric rates and lower environmental impacts.
What benefits will I receive by participating in the program? - Free installation of a digital programmable thermostat worth approximately $300. If you remain in the program through May 31, 2008, the thermostat is yours to keep.
- A one-time $25 credit on your utility bill after the thermostat is successfully installed.
- The ability to access and adjust your temperature setting via the internet.
Who can participate in the program? - Springs Utilities residential (E1R rate) and small commercial (E1C rate) electric customers with central air conditioning systems.
- Residence and commercial property must be owner occupied.
- Window or wall air conditioners and evaporative coolers are not eligible.
- Customers must be current on their account for the past 90 days and remain current to participate in the program.
What if I have more than one central air conditioning system? - If you have more than one central air conditioner, you may receive more than one thermostat. However, the supply is limited and will be considered on a case by case basis. The one-time incentive to participate in the program will still be $25.
What is the minimum sign-up time to participate in the Load Cycling Pilot Program? - Up to a three-year commitment is required to participate in LCPP, which is scheduled to run through December 31, 2008.
Is there a penalty for withdrawing from the Load Cycling Pilot Program and what is it? - Yes. If you wish to leave the program prior to fulfilling the commitment, Springs Utilities will contact the contractor that installed the thermostat, who will make an appointment with you to remove both the thermostat and the communications module.
- You will no longer be able to access the thermostat over the Internet.
- The contractor will reinstall your old thermostat that was left with you at your premise upon the initial installation.
- If you no longer have the original thermostat, you will be responsible for providing one to the contractor for installation.
Can Colorado Springs Utilities employees participate in the program? - Yes, however employee participation will be limited to 50 and employees will still need to meet the eligibility requirements of the program.
Is there a limit to the number of participants that can join the program? - Yes. 500 cumulative participants.
What if I have more than one central air conditioning system? - The central air conditioner serving the largest portion of the home or in use the most will receive the special thermostat.
- Other central air conditioners may be included, if there is sufficient use during summer weekdays, and if sufficient thermostats are available. The supply is limited and will be considered on a case by case basis.
- However, the one-time incentive to participate in the program will still be $25.
- Installation of the programmable digital thermostats and communication modules will begin in June.
Will someone need to be present when the programmable thermostat is installed? - Yes, an adult must be present during the installation and to certify acceptance.
- Carrier Corporation will contact you to arrange an appointment on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Installation should take less than two hours.
What do I need to do regarding the programmable thermostat if I sell my home? - Nothing, although Springs Utilities would appreciate it if you would mention this program to the new owners.
- The new owners will be informed of the program once they start their new service.
Is the Carrier programmable thermostat better than the one I am currently using? - The Carrier programmable thermostat that is being provided and installed for free in this program is a top of the line thermostat.
- If you have recently purchased a new programmable thermostat, the thermostat being installed as part of this program will be at least equivalent in quality and most features. In addition, this thermostat has a feature that most programmable thermostats do not have. It provides you with the ability to control temperature settings remotely via the Internet.
Does this thermostat replace the one I already have? - Yes. However, your old thermostat will also remain with you. We highly encourage you to keep your old thermostat in the event you decide to withdraw from the program prior to May 31, 2008, as the contractor will use your old thermostat to replace the programmable one installed as part of the program.
Besides the thermostat, what other equipment is installed with the program installation? - A box about the size of a laptop computer with a short antenna will be mounted near your furnace or in the attic by the air handler. This is the communications box that enables you and Colorado Springs Utilities to communicate with your central air conditioning system by radio signal.
Will this program damage my air conditioner? - No, absolutely not. Colorado Springs Utilities will adjust your central air conditioner through the thermostat. This is a totally safe process for your equipment.
How do I program the thermostat in my home? - There are easy to follow instructions inside the retractable door of the thermostat.
- You may also refer to the manual that comes with the thermostat.
- At the time of install, a qualified technician from Carrier Corporation will also program the thermostat for you and show you how to use it.
How do I change the temperature through the Internet? - You log into a special web site that provides easy to follow instructions and screens.
- You will receive a Password and PIN that will enable you to login to this Carrier Corporation web site about 10 days after installation.
- Access to this web site will allow you to monitor your thermostat settings, change the set point, or change the programming. Some participants find it is easier to use the web to change settings that to operate the thermostat manually.
- You have two options for programming the thermostat via the internet. 1) The Step-by-Step option or 2) The All-in-One option, which shows each day of the week on one screen. This option requires that Java software be loaded onto your PC. You may download it free via the internet.
When will Springs Utilities adjust my thermostat? - Springs Utilities will periodically adjust your thermostat upwards between two and four degrees during high demand periods, usually from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May through October.
How does adjusting my thermostat help Springs Utilities? - On very hot summer days, electric demand can become so high that Springs Utilities electric supply could be stretched to its limits.
- If a generation plant has a forced outage, this can make matters worse. On a critical day, Springs Utilities institutes a number of measures to deal with high electric demand.
- Lowering the use of residential central air conditioning through this program will be one of our strategies in dealing with these so called, critical days.
How will I know that my air conditioning use has been adjusted? - The digital screen on the thermostat will state that a curtailment event is in progress.
- The thermostat screen will also display an amount of time which will be counting backwards so that you will know how much time is left before your thermostat returns to its pre-set temperature.
How much will the temperature setting on my thermostat change when the programmable thermostat cycles my air conditioner? - The indoor temperature may increase between two and four degrees.
How long will the temperature change on my thermostat typically last? - Springs Utilities estimates that each curtailment event will last between two to four hours.
Will I notice any temperature change? - Probably not. However, during curtailment periods, temperatures may rise indoors a few degrees.
- Air conditioning equipment cycles on and off normally. So the cycling program simply curtails the operation of the air conditioner for longer cycles.
- Millions of homes in the U.S. participate in cycling programs and experience high levels of customer satisfaction.
How does the curtailment event affect my thermostat settings on Hold? - The thermostat will continue to be on hold. However, the curtailment event will temporarily replace the customer’s settings during the event. Overriding the thermostat will disable Springs Utilities temperature settings for the curtailment event for that particular thermostat.
Will the new thermostat be able to adjust my heating also? - Yes, however Springs Utilities is conducting this pilot for the cooling season only and no adjustment to your thermostat will be made between November and April each year.
Will my electric bill decrease if I participate in this program? - You may notice a very negligible difference in your electric bill. However, by participating in this program you will also receive a one-time credit of $25 on your utility bill.
What should I do if my central air conditioner is not working? - Look at the thermostat and see if the information window says curtailment. If so, Springs Utilities is temporarily interrupting your air conditioner operation and all is normal.
- If the thermostat does not indicate a curtailment event in progress and there is no text and/or there are no numbers showing in the thermostat window, please call Springs Utilities at 448-4800. We will ask our contractor to contact you and make sure the thermostat is working properly.
- If your thermostat has text and/or numbers in the thermostat window and if you adjust the thermostat to a temperature that is six to eight degrees higher than the room temperature and the air conditioner is still not working, the chances are that the problem is not with the thermostat but with the air conditioner. We can refer you to a qualified air conditioner service repair company through our Home Vantage Service Referral program or you may choose to select your own contractor.
Who should I call with questions or problems? - Please call Springs Utilities at 448-4800 at any time. If it is a question about the program in general, we will call you back during normal business hours.
- If it is question about an apparent problem with the air conditioning or heating system, we will have a contractor contact you within 24 hours to resolve the situation.
What happens if the programmable thermostat fails? - Please contact Springs Utilities at 448-4800 and we will contact the contractor that installed the thermostat to arrange for the repair or replacement of the thermostat.
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