Fezmid Posted June 16, 2009 Posted June 16, 2009 Xcel Energy is offering us the ability to install a "Saver Switch" on our AC, which allows them to shutoff the AC for 15-20 minute periods and offers us a discount for signing up. http://www.xcelenergy.com/Residential/Prog...versSwitch.aspx http://coloradoenergynews.com/2009/06/xcel...-120-megawatts/ We'd get $6/month from June-September. Just wondering if there are any negative effects that anyone has noticed. I can't imagine I'd actually notice... And while $24 isn't a ton of money, if I can't tell the difference, might as well keep it in my pocket, no?
Chilly Posted June 16, 2009 Posted June 16, 2009 CPS here offers something similar, but I'll be damned if I let the electric company control my AC.
Mr Info Posted June 16, 2009 Posted June 16, 2009 Xcel Energy is offering us the ability to install a "Saver Switch" on our AC, which allows them to shutoff the AC for 15-20 minute periods and offers us a discount for signing up. http://www.xcelenergy.com/Residential/Prog...versSwitch.aspx http://coloradoenergynews.com/2009/06/xcel...-120-megawatts/ We'd get $6/month from June-September. Just wondering if there are any negative effects that anyone has noticed. I can't imagine I'd actually notice... And while $24 isn't a ton of money, if I can't tell the difference, might as well keep it in my pocket, no? Would someone use this if they did not have a programmable thermostat? When we know are not going to be in the house in the summer (work, vacation, etc.), we set the thermostat quite a bit higher so the A/C does not come on very often. When we arrive home, it's back to a normal setting. I expect that programming it very carefully saves us more than $6/month.
Fezmid Posted June 17, 2009 Author Posted June 17, 2009 Would someone use this if they did not have a programmable thermostat? When we know are not going to be in the house in the summer (work, vacation, etc.), we set the thermostat quite a bit higher so the A/C does not come on very often. When we arrive home, it's back to a normal setting. I expect that programming it very carefully saves us more than $6/month. You use it with your thermostat -- and I do the same thing when we're at work/sleeping/vacation, so the $6/month would be in addition to the savings I get from my thermostat. Still not sure I want to risk getting really hot though....
Live&DieBillsFootball Posted June 17, 2009 Posted June 17, 2009 I had a similar device with Florida Power when I lived in FL. I never once noticed it and the savings were too good to pass up. I might be mistaken but I thought that having the device gives them the power to cut back your a/c only IF necessary. I think they only do it if they really have peak problems. Also, your central a/c is not running 24/7, so unless you have all of your windows open or crappy insulation, your a/c is cycling itself off and on as needed anyways.
Fezmid Posted June 17, 2009 Author Posted June 17, 2009 I had a similar device with Florida Power when I lived in FL. I never once noticed it and the savings were too good to pass up. I might be mistaken but I thought that having the device gives them the power to cut back your a/c only IF necessary. I think they only do it if they really have peak problems. Also, your central a/c is not running 24/7, so unless you have all of your windows open or crappy insulation, your a/c is cycling itself off and on as needed anyways. The brochure says that they generally only do it 15-20 times during the summer, and the times are usually between noon and 7pm. Since I'm at work from noon-5pm (or later), I didn't think it would effect me if I went ahead with it, so I'm glad to hear that you didn't notice it at all. I'm definitely tempted to try it out.
stuckincincy Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 The brochure says that they generally only do it 15-20 times during the summer, and the times are usually between noon and 7pm. Since I'm at work from noon-5pm (or later), I didn't think it would effect me if I went ahead with it, so I'm glad to hear that you didn't notice it at all. I'm definitely tempted to try it out. I recently got a mailing from my power company. It said pretty much the same - 15 or so times, during peak grid demands. A couple of points: - There was a check box if there would be someone in the household that had a medical condition that required constant temp control. I assume for liability reasons, if that is checked, they would find a reason to not install. - They offered a $25 credit for signing up, and $35 if you agreed to "a few more minutes" - not specified further. - No shut-down on weekends and holidays. - You can pick *one* day per year to avoid a compressor shut-off...you have to notify them 24 hr. in advance. - They said that "manufacturers test these shut-off devices with their equipment". Which means that the power company does not. This makes me skeptical - seems you would have to get in touch with the manufacturer to see if this is so. Conspiracy Theory: Greenies hack the system and shut off the A/C for lengthy times.
BuffaloBill Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Xcel Energy is offering us the ability to install a "Saver Switch" on our AC, which allows them to shutoff the AC for 15-20 minute periods and offers us a discount for signing up. http://www.xcelenergy.com/Residential/Prog...versSwitch.aspx http://coloradoenergynews.com/2009/06/xcel...-120-megawatts/ We'd get $6/month from June-September. Just wondering if there are any negative effects that anyone has noticed. I can't imagine I'd actually notice... And while $24 isn't a ton of money, if I can't tell the difference, might as well keep it in my pocket, no? My wife would gun down anyone who turns off her AC. Lawyer bills and visits to the pen will cost uch more than the savings.
stuckincincy Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 My wife would gun down anyone who turns off her AC. Lawyer bills and visits to the pen will cost uch more than the savings. That's an honest opinion, I'd say.
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 ...but I'll be damned if I let the electric company control my AC. Exactly! WTF! They know they can't provide all the power that people need, so they have crap like this. Just provide cutomers with reliable power and stop all the bullcrap.
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 On another note... 6 bucks a month? I was gonna say, if it was worth more... Go with it on your central air and then have a portable or window unit power up when they shut your cental air down. Would that work?
Fezmid Posted June 23, 2009 Author Posted June 23, 2009 On another note... 6 bucks a month? I was gonna say, if it was worth more... Go with it on your central air and then have a portable or window unit power up when they shut your cental air down. Would that work? Well if they only shut it down for 15 minutes.... Is anyone really going to notice? What, the house is goinj to heat up 1 degree in that 15 minutes? That said, if I was really that confident, I would've done it already.... So.......
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Well if they only shut it down for 15 minutes.... Is anyone really going to notice? What, the house is goinj to heat up 1 degree in that 15 minutes? That said, if I was really that confident, I would've done it already.... So....... I would! I must be going through menopause!
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Oh... My luck, they would crap my sump pump out for 6 measily bucks!
Fezmid Posted June 23, 2009 Author Posted June 23, 2009 Oh... My luck, they would crap my sump pump out for 6 measily bucks! How would they touch the sump pump... They don't shut power off to your whole house, just your condenser!
ExiledInIllinois Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 How would they touch the sump pump... They don't shut power off to your whole house, just your condenser! Just joking... But, it would be my luck something would go wrong.
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