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The use of radio-controlled switches
saves you $1.50 every month on your electric bill whether
we activate them or not! The switch turns off power to select
heating and water heater systems, and is part of a statewide
electric cooperative effort to keep rates stable by reducing
peak demand.
Why
we control
Demand is a measure of how much power is being used
at a given time. Turning off the power to a water heater,
for example, reduces demand. The purpose of load management
is to prevent HWE from exceeding a preset maximum amount of
power being consumed by all member loads combined -- this
maximum is called a peak. You
probably know that electric rates are determined by the total
amount of power delivered, but they can also be affected by
usage of all member loads combined at the time of the peak.
If a new peak is set, HWE is assigned a new demand charge
on our bills from our power plant. Though not right away,
the member's bill is affected by this demand charge: that's
because eventually, if HWE has to pay more for power, it's
inevitable someday that we'll have to adjust rates to cover
increased costs.
The
good news
Because of the fact that peak demand can influence electric
rates, load management was devised to prevent us from
reaching or exceeding the peak. An additional benefit of load
management is reduced construction costs (e.g., new substations)
for the utility, and therefore, reduced costs for the consumer.
Since the amount of equipment and electric cable required
is determined by how much power is delivered, by reducing
the amount of power, the utility can conserve the need for
additional construction to service a particular area.
How
we reduce demand
Our principal method of reducing demand a few days each year
is the radio-controlled switch. Radio signals to the
switch turn off the equipment when a new peak demand is possible,
such as on very cold (wind chills below zero), or very hot
days. Switches are activated for two to six hours in the morning
or evening or sometimes both. Most water heaters are capable
of holding their heat for extended periods of time, so there's
little or no inconvenience to the consumer. The program has
resulted in significant savings to Hancock-Wood and its consumers,
and thousands of our members receive the $1.50 savings every
month! Plus, installation of the switch is free.
How
incentives work
Switches can be installed for free in three different ways:
- Water heaters: Just contact
us to sign up, and we'll schedule a technician to install
the switch for free. You'll then see a $1.50 credit on your
bill every month whether we activate it or not. Most of
our switches are on electric water heaters.
- AC systems: Allow HWE
to install a radio-controlled switch to manage your air
conditioning, and receive a monthly (June - Sept.) $1.50
credit whether it’s activated or not. This part of
HWE’s program to help control the demand for electricity,
also helps stabilize its price.
- Geothermal systems: Geothermal
systems extract heat from the earth in the winter and move
it indoors. When it is extremely cold, the geothermal unit
still produces heat but needs assistance from resistance
strips to keep the temperature stable. We install switches
on the resistance heat to cut the power during peak demand
periods; the compressor will continue to be operational.
In other words, OREC will use the switch occasionally (not
for hours at a time) to shut off their emergency heat, which
is used when it is extremely cold. If your system is installed
properly, experience has shown well insulated homes remain
comfortable during control periods, and you probably will
not notice any change. What's more, members qualify for
rebates if they allow switches to be installed on newly-installed
geothermal systems.
How
radio signals are sent
Buckeye
Power computers in Columbus monitor usage around the state
at select substations (HWE and its fellow Ohio cooperatives
own Buckeye Power's generating plants). If a potential peak
demand is forecast, a signal is sent from a satellite dish
in Columbus to a satellite orbiting Earth. The satellite relays
the signal back to Earth where a satellite dish at HWE receives
the data. The information triggers our radio equipment to
broadcast signals from a tower at HWE. The switches in members'
homes are activated by the signals. As long as the switches
receive the signal, the circuit remains open and no power
flows to the water heater or geothermal unit. When the signals
cease, the switch stops operating, and the equipment comes
back on. It's that simple.
Is
my radio-controlled switch working?
Sometimes we hear from members wanting to know if their switch
has been activated, and it depends on its shape:
- If your radio-controlled switch is square-shaped
(click to display pix), it has a small window on the box.
The red light means that Buckeye Power is controlling the
load and their water heater has been turned off. Any other
time the green light should always be on to indicate that
Buckeye Power is not controlling, your switch is not in
use and it is functioning properly. (Note: if your home
power goes out for any reason, when power is restored the
red light will remain on for 5-10 minutes by default.)
- If your radio-controlled switch is circular-shaped, there is no way to tell if Buckeye Power is controlling
load because you have one of the older model switches. Older
switches operate in the same efficient way as the new model,
but we are in the process of replacing all circular-shaped
switches, and we'll eventually contact you about doing so.
To
start saving $1.50/mo. on your bill
To install your free switch and start saving $1.50/mo. on
your electric bill:
- Email us by clicking here,
or by using the Contact
Us form.
- We’ll then contact you to set up a date/time for
an HWE service rep to visit your home and install the free
switch. Even if you already installed the switch on your
new tank on your own (in a tank replacement scenario), we
must still visit your home and test the switch.
- The HWE service rep will then fill out the proper form
in person, and then submit it for processing.
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