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Electric - Peak Rewards Program

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1. Why Wadsworth Peak Rewards? Why now?

As more and more residents acquire large refrigerators, freezers, central air conditioners, and other energy-hungry appliances, the demand for energy increases, straining existing supply. Peak Rewards offers leading-edge technology to residents and businesses as part of a voluntary program designed to manage energy during periods of highest demand, reduce the need to build costly power plants, and avert unanticipated energy shortages and power interruptions before they occur.

2. How does Wadsworth Peak Rewards work?

When you enroll, we'll connect an indoor Peak Rewards web-programmable thermostat or an outdoor switch near your central air conditioning unit. On selected days from June through September (Peak Savings Days), we'll automatically cycle participating central air conditioners to help balance the region's demand for electricity. These events are known as "conservation periods".

3. What is "cycling"?

When a conservation period is called, your device will receive a signal through your broadband connection that will put your cooling unit's compressor into a "conservation mode". Your compressor will operate half the time it did during the hour prior to the conservation period. The fan will continue to circulate air throughout your facility even though the compressor has reduced operating time.

4. What choices are available to me when I join Wadsworth Peak Rewards?

To enroll in Peak Rewards, you'll be invited to select the technological device we will install for your participation. Choose installation of either an indoor web-programmable thermostat or an outdoor switch.

5. Will Wadsworth Peak Rewards affect my comfort level?

Depending on the specific characteristics of your facility, you may or may not notice when a conservation period is occurring. Variables such as insulation, shaded windows, the addition of ceiling fans, and the amount of foot traffic can also affect the temperature. During a conservation period, the temperature in a typical facility may increase 1 to 3 degrees.

6. How will I receive my installation credit and annual bill credit?

Your $25 installation credit will be applied to your electric bill the following month after the control device is installed. Your $40 annual participation credits will be split into 4 monthly credits, $10 per month June to September. Your monthly bill credits will be applied in the next billing cycle for the previous month of participation.

Credit will only be applied if the account is marked as participating on the last day of the bill period. You will receive full credit for the full month of participation in the program as long as your account is marked as participating on the last day of the month (June to September).

Additional devices are also eligible for monthly participation bill credits. Qualifying pool pumps earn a $1 per month bill credit (June to September). Participating hot water heaters earn $1.50 per month bill credit (June to September).

7. Will I receive all of the bill credits in the same calendar year?

In order to receive the entire available credits in a calendar year, your device must be installed prior to your June bill. Although the City of Wadsworth cannot guarantee installation, if you enroll and schedule your appointment prior to March 30, you are most likely to have the device installed prior to your June bill (even if you receive your bill early in June).

8. Are there any hidden costs or fees with this program?

No. Participation is totally voluntary and you do not pay to participate.

9. How often will the program be activated?

The number of conservation periods depends on many factors, including weather, peak electricity demand, and energy costs. Peak Rewards is only activated during times of high electricity demand, emergency conditions, or system testing. In a typical year, one can expect 5 to 7 events.

10. When and for how long will a conservation period last?

Conservation periods typically occur on hot weekday afternoons and can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. If an emergency event is called for reliability reasons, it will last until the situation is resolved; therefore the City of Wadsworth cannot state how long a conservation period of this type may last.

11. What causes "times of peak electricity demand"?

Times of peak electricity demand occur when everyone uses a lot of electricity at the same time, creating stresses on a limited energy supply. The frequency of critical peak demand periods has increased as the population and the use of electric appliances has grown.

Peak Rewards is just one way the City of Wadsworth is managing the rising demand for electricity, to avert power outages while keeping electricity rates low, deferring the construction of high cost power plants, and helping the environment by reducing emissions produced on hot, humid days.

12. How will I know when a Wadsworth Peak Rewards conservation period is occurring?

Check your web-programmable thermostat. When a conservation period occurs, the LED will glow red and the display will read "Event in Progress" at the top of the screen. The center of the control arrows will maintain a steady light for the duration of the period.

If you have an outdoor switch, you will need to go outside to inspect the device. A red LED will appear in the window of the outdoor switch throughout the conservation period.

13. Can an emergency event (otherwise known as "Priority Peak Day") occur outside of the months of the cooling season?

Yes. This could occur, and in that event you would be required to participate per the program rules and the customer agreement.

14. Am I permitted to "opt out" of a conservation period?

All customers are permitted to override 1 non-Priority control period during the cooling season. If a participant chooses to override a second event during the season, they would forgo their monthly bill credit for that month. Participants who wish to override a control period will need to call our Peak Rewards Service Center at 330-335-2861.

15. Are there penalties for withdrawing from Peak Rewards?

If a customer withdraws from the Peak Rewards program, they will forgo any future monthly participation bill credits. At this time, the City of Wadsworth does not plan to remove the web-programmable thermostat or outdoor switch in the event of withdrawal. If you are interested in leaving Peak Rewards, please call us at 330-335-2861.

16. How does Wadsworth Peak Rewards benefit my community?

The City of Wadsworth electric customers use more electricity during the summer season than at other times of the year. As the area grows and more new and existing customers install central air conditioners, demand for electricity reaches higher and higher peaks in the summer, putting a strain on the power system.

Participating in Peak Rewards helps all of us to avoid paying for the construction of new power plants built primarily to operate only during times of very high electricity demand for a handful of hours per year.

17. How does Wadsworth Peak Rewards keep energy rates low?

Peak period energy is our most expensive. During the "peak demand" times of summer, Peak Rewards works to reduce electricity usage by "cycling" central air conditioners throughout the region, averting power outages. This reduces the need to build costly, new electrical infrastructure that can drive up rates, and reduces the amount of fossil fuel bought and burned to generate power to satisfy demand.

18. How does Wadsworth Peak Rewards help the environment?

Reducing the use of fossil fuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing electricity demand during a conservation period, Peak Rewards also reduces emissions by averting the need for production of additional electricity. When load is highest and supplies are strained, the least efficient power plants must be brought into operation to meet demand or outages become likely.

Lower efficiency electricity production also generally equates with higher emissions. The Peak Rewards approach reduces the urgency in building additional power lines and power stations, thereby preserving our natural environment.

19. What is an outdoor switch?

An outdoor switch is a device that is connected near your exterior air conditioning unit. It receives a signal over your broadband connection to cycle your air conditioning compressor (not the whole A/C system), to run half the time it did during the hour prior to the conservation period. The indoor fan will continue to circulate air throughout your facility even though the compressor has reduced operating time.

20. Do I need to be available when the outdoor switch is installed?

The outdoor switch will be installed near your outside air conditioning unit, so it is not necessary for you to be available at that time as long as the technician can get to the unit without interference from such obstacles as a locked fence or a dog. Just be sure your outdoor air conditioning unit and electrical safety box are accessible to our technicians.

21. What is a web-programmable thermostat?

A Peak Rewards web-programmable thermostat is a digital thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature settings of your facility according to a preset schedule that you choose. This can be done either manually or remotely through an Internet connection.

This differs from other programmable thermostats you can buy and install, in that it allows you to remotely adjust your temperature settings from any computer or smartphone virtually anywhere in the world. During times of peak electricity demand, your Peak Rewards web-programmable thermostat will receive a signal through your broadband connection to initiate a conservation period.

22. What is a web-programmable thermostat?

A Peak Rewards web-programmable thermostat is a digital thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature settings of your facility according to a preset schedule that you choose. This can be done either manually or remotely through an Internet connection.

This differs from other programmable thermostats you can buy and install, in that it allows you to remotely adjust your temperature settings from any computer or smartphone virtually anywhere in the world. During times of peak electricity demand, your Peak Rewards web-programmable thermostat will receive a signal through your broadband connection to initiate a conservation period.

23. If my thermostat is Internet accessible, how do I know a hacker or The City of Wadsworth won't change the settings on me?

Internet access to your Peak Rewards thermostat is through a web page, with a secure password you select and only you know. All that the City of Wadsworth can do with your password is reset it if you forget it and verify you are the customer on the account. You are the only one with control over this feature, and access is shielded behind security measures designed to protect the confidential customer information of all of our customers.

24. Why would I want Internet access?

Once you access the Internet web page, you can change your thermostat settings no matter where you are, at any time of day. This feature may be particularly useful if you suddenly find you are going to be away for an extended period and want to change your settings, or you are going to return earlier than planned.

25. Do I need to be at my facility when the programmable thermostat is installed?

Yes. Our technicians will custom install the thermostat inside your facility. You must first call to schedule an appointment, then be available to allow our technician entry to your facility to perform the installation.

26. How long will the installation take?

Installation of the new thermostat and removal of your old thermostat will take approximately an hour. However, our technician will spend as much time as needed, helping you program your new thermostat, and answering any questions you may have about its operation or the Peak Rewards program.

27. When will the thermostat be installed?

Generally, installation takes place within one month of your enrollment, though you can schedule an installation any time that is most convenient for you, including Saturdays.

28. What if there's a problem?

If you have a question about your energy device installation or about the program, just call us toll-free at 1-866-224-8287, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for prompt customer service and technical assistance. If there is an issue after 6 p.m., an after-hours technician is available for emergency calls.

29. How can my programmable thermostat save 10% annually on my cooling and heating costs?

The energy saving benefits of programmable thermostats have been explored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). According to the DOE, depending on usage patterns and how effectively you program the thermostat, it is possible to save as much as 10% on cooling and heating costs, assuming winter set backs and summer set forwards when the facility is empty.

30. I have a medical condition. Am I able to participate?

Yes, only you can decide what's appropriate for you. However, we want to make sure you are aware that the temperature inside the facility may increase during a conservation period, and you should take that into consideration before enrolling.

31. What businesses and equipment qualify for the Wadsworth Peak Rewards program?

To qualify for Peak Rewards, you should be a business with a central air conditioning unit and be a City of Wadsworth electric customer. Hot water heaters are also eligible for enrollment. Since conservation periods are initiated by sending a broadband signal to the Peak Saver device, customers must have a broadband connection to participate. If you have any questions about whether or not your business qualifies, please contact us prior to enrollment at 1-866-224-8287.

The following equipment does not qualify for Peak Rewards and are therefore unable to receive an energy saving device:

• Geothermal heat pumps (also known as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps)
• Evaporative coolers (also known as swamp, desert, or air coolers)
• Chillers
• Thermostats controlled by alarm or automation systems

If you have any questions about whether or not your business qualifies, please contact us prior to enrollment at 1-866-224-8287.

32. How long will the installation take?

Installation of the new thermostat and removal of your old thermostat will take approximately an hour. However, our technician will spend as much time as needed, helping you program your new thermostat, and answering any questions you may have about its operation or the Peak Rewards program.

33. I have an air conditioning system/heat pump that was installed some time ago. Is it too old to participate in this program?

Our technician will assess the condition of your unit(s) when he arrives onsite for device installation. If there are problems that can be repaired or remedied, and that allow you to participate, the technician will explain the situation and your options, and you will be able to participate once the system repairs are completed by your HVAC contractor. (Our technicians are not allowed to make repairs for you.)

If there are fundamental or major problems with your system, which may include you having one of a few particular brands/models of systems that are inherently incompatible with the Peak Rewards equipment, you will also be notified of the situation, and what options, if any, exist for you to participate.