Is anyone signing up for the PEPCO Energy Wise Rewards program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow, i hope this does not become mandatory. Why on earth would you allow pepco to deciede how hot or cold your house can be. trust me when I tell you this in NOT in your benefit and may be an attempt and complying with new legislation.

This is the same as "adjustable arms" for home loans. Why, when you are gauranteed a record low interest rate would you ever agree to adjustable anything.

What happens when you want to switch to another provider? Sell your house? Think people.

The temperature of your house is not at the whim of PEPCO. The way it works is that ONLY during periods of high energy use (like when it's 90 degrees and everyone has their AC running), you agree when you sign up for the program to allow a slight adjustment to your thermostat setting. So, for example, we agreed to a 2 degree difference in our usual daily setting during these high energy use times. It's almost a negligible difference in the comfort level of your home, but do you realize what a difference it would make if enough people did this? And it's only during the warm months when AC is running (April - October). The program does not adjust the temperature (heating) in the winter months.

[Anonymous]

About 10 years ago PEPCO had a program called Energy Watchers, in which they installed a device on the compressor through which they could remotely cycle the unit. We never had any problem with the unit ... we still have it On very hot days our house would be a touch warmer than desired, but never unbearable. I was sorry to see that program end. We will sign up for this new program and the use of the remotely accessible thermometer is a real benefit.

[Anonymous]

http://libeslibation.blogspot.com/2010/05/energy-unwise.html

This article made me laugh as I read it in an Andy Rooney from 60 minutes voice.
I found it randomly when researching. I called and talked to an operator contracted by Pepco. He was not very convincing on me joining the program, so I balked for more research. I think I may just turn down my own thermostat if I'm concerned.

[Anonymous]

I am in Gaithersburg, MD. On Monday 7/25/2011, my A/C has been shut off for a few hours in the afternoon.

It happened again today 7/31/2011. the current temperature is 91F outside and 84F in my house at 4:37PM. at noon it was 80F inside, and I began to check my heat pump and notice the cool is shown as on from my thermostat but compressor was not running. There has been no cool air from inlet at least since then. So it has been at least 4.5 hours' shutoff today.

I regret so much now to sign up pepco's energy wise program.

[Anonymous]

Can you quit the program if you are dissatisfied? What are the terms for length of commitment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in Gaithersburg, MD. On Monday 7/25/2011, my A/C has been shut off for a few hours in the afternoon.

It happened again today 7/31/2011. the current temperature is 91F outside and 84F in my house at 4:37PM. at noon it was 80F inside, and I began to check my heat pump and notice the cool is shown as on from my thermostat but compressor was not running. There has been no cool air from inlet at least since then. So it has been at least 4.5 hours' shutoff today.

I regret so much now to sign up pepco's energy wise program.

Much as I think conservation is a good idea, this is why I can't imagine signing up, especially with how hot it's been this summer. I keep my AC at 76 when I'm home and 80 when I'm out.

[Anonymous]

Cycling Level & Incentives – Choose 50%, 75% or 100% cycling.

50% cycling – Your compressor will run half the time it did during the hour prior to the conservation period. Receive an immediate $40 installation credit, plus $40 in bill credits prorated for each month of the cooling season for June through October.

75% cycling – Your compressor will run 25% of the time it did during the hour prior to the conservation period. Receive an immediate $60 installation credit, plus $60 in bill credits prorated for each month of the cooling season for June through October.

100% cycling – Your compressor will not run at all during the conservation period. Receive an immediate $80 installation credit, plus $80 in bill credits prorated for each month of the cooling season for June through October.


So if you choose the 50% cycling that mean you will receive $40 in bill credits prorated for each month of cooling season..... Does this mean $40 per month or $40 total? Also, they act like they are doing you a huge favor by covering the cost of the thermostat. Why make us go through the trouble to file a reimbursement? Just send someone out and install the damn thing yourselves!

[Anonymous]

We had a similar program in California and we did not suffer when the AC was controlled. It did save money. If you have questions they posted a phone number, 1-866-353-5798

[Anonymous]

This program is terrible (compared to similar programs for other energy companies). I signed up for 100% cycling and Pepco turns off my AC almost every single day that the outside temp is >95C. And they keep it off long past 6 pm allowing my house to go >80C indoors. I was upset with this careless policy (considering we lose power randomly as it is) so I switched to 50% cycling. The next day they shut off my AC once again and called it an emergency event thus not allowing my to opt out. There also is no difference in the loss of AC in my house. Don't sign up for this. Its not worth the $16 credit per month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About 10 years ago PEPCO had a program called Energy Watchers, in which they installed a device on the compressor through which they could remotely cycle the unit. We never had any problem with the unit ... we still have it On very hot days our house would be a touch warmer than desired, but never unbearable. I was sorry to see that program end. We will sign up for this new program and the use of the remotely accessible thermometer is a real benefit.

We had that at our old house, and when it got really hot and they 'cycled' the a/c...it would get quite warm in our house. Once we didn't have to watch our dollars so carefully, we got out of the program.

[Anonymous]

We have had the program for 2 years (at the 50% level) and have had no issues at all. We keep our a/c at 78 normally. Occasionally we notice it goes up to 79 or 80. Maybe it is a bigger difference if you really keep it cool in the summer. It helps so much to reduce the peak demand, I feel good about it...but not quite good enough to do a higher percentage!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had the program for 2 years (at the 50% level) and have had no issues at all. We keep our a/c at 78 normally. Occasionally we notice it goes up to 79 or 80. Maybe it is a bigger difference if you really keep it cool in the summer. It helps so much to reduce the peak demand, I feel good about it...but not quite good enough to do a higher percentage!

But can't you achieve the same so good feeling by Turing the thing down yourself? Yikes.

[Anonymous]

I had the device installed back when it was called Kilowatchers, or something like that. The bill credit was much higher. I did notice a difference when it was cycling but generally I wasn't home at those times. I believe it was limited to certain times of day and there were limitations on how often it could be done. I wouldn't sign up for the program now as I'm home a lot more. That said, I keep my A/C set between 78 and 82% during the day to try to control costs.

[Anonymous]

I had the device installed a month ago and talked with them later via phone and asked if they had control. They assured me they did not. Last night 04/09/2013 my compressor would not come on. It was 82 degrees in my house. Have been on phone last night and early this am. Pepco will not take any responsibility for it and refer you to the Energy Wise Program. They are suppose to send a technician today. After this experience, I am going to opt out. I do not need this hassle in my life.

[Anonymous]

BTW, can any electrician remove this device? Does anyone out there know this. Thanks,