CPS Energy Manager is saving me money (Howe: new home, price)

[datacity]

Originally Posted by AFMike

You must have central AC and Electric water heater to qualify and they will put a new box on the side of your house for each item (AC, Water heater, Pool pump).

Believe it or not, all I have is central A/C on electric, but the CPS subcontractor said I could still have the installation done. Compared to other CPS households, I would be closer to the bottom in terms of impact since I have no electric water heaters, pool pumps, or furnaces.

The sub said CPS has plans to do thousands of these over the next few years. The smart meter alone costs CPS $1000+ installed. For now, our place is not one of them. Now if CPS offered me a Nest thermostat, that might be different.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by datacity

The sub said CPS has plans to do thousands of these over the next few years. The smart meter alone costs CPS $1000+ installed. For now, our place is not one of them. Now if CPS offered me a Nest thermostat, that might be different.

FWIW, the long term plan that all electric utilities have for smart meters is to charge for electricity in varying amounts, depending on the wholesale price. If you use more per kWh during peak demand times, when CPS pays more, your rate for that usage will be higher than for usage that occurs overnight, when demand and wholesale rates are lowest.

Once that happens, electric bills will be a real crapshoot for consumers. You could have a $20 bill one month and a $200 bill the next even though you used nearly the same amount of electricity in each month.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by datacity

This could happen on summer days where they would turn up your thermostat by a few degrees for short periods of time, not large enough to make it an issue for you, but in aggregate it can make a significant difference. Note that even if your thermostat temperature is changed by CPS, you can manually change it back if you are at home so you can over ride it.

To me, 4 degrees is a lot. I think the program is great for people who aren't home during the day, but not for me

[Zone Read]

I've never had it go up 4 degrees. I was told the maximum time it shuts off to be 10 minutes at the most. I was also told that if it does shut off, you can manually set the temperature and it will override. As for it hurting the compressor, AC units cycle on and off normally to maintain a set temperature. There is a built in delay from the time it turns off to the time it turns on again go avoid damaging the compressor.

I'm loving this thing.

[AFMike]

Originally Posted by Zone Read

I've never had it go up 4 degrees. I was told the maximum time it shuts off to be 10 minutes at the most.

That was the old peak energy saver program, here is the faq from the new one:

Normal Conservation Event: A normal conservation event is instituted when your electric provider needs to reduce area- or system-wide energy consumption to avoid exceeding a defined peak demand level. Exceeding a peak demand level requires your electric provider to generate or purchase additional electric supply at higher than normal cost, which is often greater than what they are charging you for the electricity. That higher cost must eventually be passed on to customers. Instituting a conservation event to avoid exceeding the peak demand level therefore saves both you and your electric provider energy and higher rates.

If you feel that your immediate situation warrants it, you can opt out of a normal conservation event through your online program or by changing the target temperature at your thermostat.

Remember, though, that the goal of a normal conservation event is to avoid your electric provider having to purchase or generate additional energy at higher-than-normal cost, thus saving you money down the line. And keep in mind that the temperature of your home will not increase or decrease beyond the minimum or maximum target temperature, which is usually only four degrees below your normal heating temperature and four degrees above your normal cooling temperature at the time the conservation event starts. When that level is reached, your HVAC will maintain the maximum or minimum temperature until your electric provider ends the conservation event, at which time your system will revert to your preferred target temperature and the water heater and pool pump will return to their normal on/off state.

[Steel Man]

I received a letter and e-mail from CPS on their Energy Manager Program. I went on line to find more info and it said that is is best where at least 1,200 kilowatt hours of electricity is consumed each month and I do not.

[pobre]

What I like the most is the remote access. We were just out of town for 5 days, and had set both thermostats to "vacation" when we left. I was able to turn both A/C units back on remotely about 1 1/2 hours before we came home, so the house would be cool...beats coming home to a sauna!

[datacity]

Originally Posted by AFMike

And keep in mind that the temperature of your home will not increase or decrease beyond the minimum or maximum target temperature, which is usually only four degrees below your normal heating temperature and four degrees above your normal cooling temperature at the time the conservation event starts.

My concern (which I discussed with the subcontractor for CPS) is that we often can keep our A/C temp at 78 during summer along with some ceiling fans and it still be comfortable as we have good window tinting and most of our living areas do not face the afternoon sun.

However, 82 would not be comfortable under any case and if I over ride any conservation event, then it defeats the purpose. I guess if you normally keep your house at 68-72, this would be great for you.

[Labamigo]

I believe we already pay more for electricity during peak hours. It's just not broken down on your bill.

[pobre]

Originally Posted by Labamigo

I believe we already pay more for electricity during peak hours. It's just not broken down on your bill.

Not unless you have a smart meter that can track the time of day you are using energy. Now, prices do fluctuate during the year, from month to month.