Area Electric Company Hoping More Will Sign Up For Air Conditioner Throttling
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The local electric utility PECO is again promoting a program that allows them to cycle your central air conditioner on and off at intervals during peak usage periods.
More than 97,000 customers have signed on since the program began, not only because of the potential bill reduction but because of the additional $120 credit a participant receives over the course of the summer.
And, Peco says, if you sign up and don't like it, you can easily discontinue your participation in the program.
Spokesman Ben Armstrong says when a customer decides to enroll in the Peco "Smart AC Saver" program, a technician will install a small switch (highlighted in photo) on the side of the home near the air conditioning unit. The automated switch, when activated by Peco, will cycle the unit's condenser on and off during the peak summer usage periods, which they call "events."
"Based on the weather forecast for this summer, we are anticipating anywhere from 13 to 20 events," Armstrong told KYW Newsradio today. "And when an event is going to occur, we'll notify customers on our web site. Customer service representatives and customers can even sign up to receive an e-mail."
Who is not a good candidate for this program?
"Customers that have the need for air conditioning for medical reasons, or the elderly. Talk to one of our customer service representatives," he advises.
Anyone with questions about the program can call 1-888-5-PECO SAVE or go to peco.com for more information.
