Pros and cons of energy-saving planning

The Power Saving Plan is a utility-sponsored demand response plan that can help Reduce electricity consumption During peak demand periods. These procedures are typically directed at central air conditioners (ACs) and heat pumps, as cooling equipment spikes in summer energy demand. In exchange for incentives such as bills or kickbacks, participating homeowners allow utilities to temporarily adjust or circulate their HVAC system on hot days.

But it’s not that simple. I recently received an email from Leah, an HVAC professional in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

“I want to take a look at an article about driving smart thermostats and the convergence of utilities trying to control air conditioning usage to save energy.”

He noted that there is an increasing push for smart thermostats and that under the banner of energy conservation, utilities see it as more control over the use of air conditioners.

Let’s discuss power saving plans in detail, including their pros and cons and everything else you need to know.

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How Power Saving Programs Control Your AC

Most residential energy saving plans temporarily reduce air conditioning in participating homes during peak hours (usually summer afternoons). In most cases, utilities Install control equipment On the compressor of the outdoor AC unit. During peak events, the utility’s radio signal will cycle the compressor off at set intervals. Traditional programs like Xcel Energy’s Saver’s Switch use this method.

Another way to use the utility is to control the thermostat. You are asking you to register your Wi-Fi smart thermostat as your popular playback plan. In demand response events, utility or program operators remotely raise the thermostat set point for several hours. This will cause the AC to run less. Most of these programs allow you to override changes through a thermostat or application; however, emergency events may temporarily disable this option.

Benefits of joining energy saving plans

The power saving program offers some benefits for participating consumers and the wider community. First, there are bill savings and incentives. Participants will receive direct financial rewards, ranging from annual bill credit to $40 to expected admission bonus of $25 to $100.

These programs also result in reduced collective demand during peak periods, helping to prevent grid overload and power outages. By coordinating energy reductions in thousands of homes, utilities can avoid launching expensive peak factories or buying high-priced electricity on the open market.

Reducing peak demand can also help avoid starting older, more contaminated fossil fuel generators. This means that at already high health risks, fewer emissions on hottest days and lower air pollution.

Disadvantages and risks of energy-saving planning

Despite the benefits, residential energy saving plans bring some potential shortcomings and concerns raised by customers and experts.

“In New Mexico where I live and work, our power company PNM offers a ‘Power Saker’ program. Customers have the option to install the box onto the condenser, which destroys the signal between the furnace and the condenser during peak consumption hours, effectively shutting it off,” he said. Leah told me.

“This is not great for condensers, and we often get calls from customers who don’t fully understand what they’re registering and are confused when the AC stops working. Now there is a thermostat that pushes access to Wi-Fi-Fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-

Understandably, a lot People are uncomfortable As utilities take over their cooling systems, especially in extremely high heat. Use Xcel Energy in Colorado for the 2022 event. In the case of energy emergency, 22,000 smart thermostat users are temporarily locked in the adjustment AC. Many people have never experienced a recurrence-free event before, and understandably frustrated. Although rare, these events have attracted effective attention to control and consent.

There are also technical issues. Frequent cycles of AC compressors can lead to increased wear. Each start presses the compressor motor mechanism and repeats the switching cycle for a short period of time, which shortens the unit’s life, although it depends on the frequency of the system and event.

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Smart Thermostat and Utility Control: What to Know

Some people participate in the constant temperature adjustment program without realizing it. This leads to Chaos and depression When their air conditioners are unexpectedly restricted. Often, this is because smart thermostats come with default selection settings or fuzzy motivational language, which can be confusing.

In 2021, in Texas, many residents saw their smart thermostat rise above 78°F during the ERCOT protection alert. They later found that they had unconsciously agreed to let the utility perform temperature regulation.

Privacy and security issues of smart thermostats

These programs also raise important data privacy issues. Wi-Fi enabled thermostats collect and transmit sensitive information, including occupancy mode, temperature preferences, and when the house is uninhabited.

Cybersecurity It’s another problem. Like any device connected to the Internet, smart thermostats can be vulnerable to hackers or malicious remote commands. So far, no major disruption has affected AC demand programs, but privacy advocates say the risks are real and growing.

If you are considering a savings program, do 7 things

Whether you are considering signing up or already enrolled, these steps will help you stay in control, protect your comfort and avoid unnecessary surprises:

1) Read beautiful prints and carefully select

Read the term fully before joining any power saving or thermostat program. Make sure you understand the extent of utility control, whether changes can be covered, and how often adjustments may be made. Always choose Manual Register in the Smart Home App settings instead of having IT recruit you to automatically register.

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2) Select a thermostat with clear coverage option

Use a Wi-Fi thermostat that makes it easy to overwrite changes during demand response events. Many models allow you to exit temporarily or permanently through the app or device itself. Learn how to do this before a peak event occurs so you won’t be caught off guard.

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3) Understand energy events

Turn on the alert for utility to receive notifications about peak demand events via email, text, or app. Check your utility website for a schedule or forecast and opt out early if needed. Keeping knowledge allows you to control the behavior of your system more.

4) Protect your smart device

Use strong passwords for thermostats and home Wi-Fi. If available, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

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5) Update software

Keep the thermostat software updated to protect it from potential security risks or remote interference.

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6) Know how to opt out or disconnect

If the program doesn’t work for you, learn how to remove the thermostat from it. Utilities usually provide exit instructions through their website or application. You may also need to adjust the settings or factory settings thermostat.

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7) Monitor comfort and performance

Please pay close attention to your AC performance in demand activities. If you notice abnormal behaviors, such as frequent short bikes or your home becomes uncomfortable, it may be time to rethink your involvement.

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Kurt’s key points

Saving saving plans can help reduce grid stress and provide small economic incentives, but they have tradeoffs. Customers may reduce comfort, wear and get out of control of the equipment, sometimes unaware that they have chosen. There are also effective concerns about data privacy and security. These programs require clearer communication and better assurance if they will be widely accepted.

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Is the promise of energy saving worth giving up privacy and control over home temperature? By writing to us, let us know cyberguy.com/contact

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