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FAQ
General
Eligibility
Incentives and Costs
Miscellaneous
General
What is EnergyWise?
EnergyWise is a new, voluntary residential program created to temporarily reduce power consumption during periods of peak energy demand. It was designed based on similar successful programs that have been used in other parts of the country for many years, but the local program has been customized for the energy usage patterns in our area.
What is peak electric demand?
Demand is the amount of electricity needed at any given time. Power usage fluctuates due to weather conditions and industrial, commercial and residential electricity usage. When electricity demand is at its highest, it’s called peak demand. In our area, peak demand is most likely to occur during extreme hot weather during the summer.
How does the EnergyWise program work?
When you enroll in EnergyWise, Progress Energy will arrange (at no cost to you) for an approved contractor to install smart, proven technology outside your home that communicates with your central air conditioning system.
This technology allows us to temporarily reduce energy consumption during times of unusually high energy demand by cycling power off and on to your air conditioner’s compressor. (The fan continues to operate normally.) When activated, the cycles occur at 10- to 15-minute intervals for up to four hours, typically between 1 and 7 pm. The process is automatic and requires no effort from you.
If Progress Energy turns my air conditioner off when it's hot, won't it impact my comfort?
EnergyWise is designed to cycle the air conditioner’s compressor off and on at 10-15 minute intervals, not to turn it completely off. Your system’s fan will continue to operate normally. An average home can generally expect at least a one degree temperature rise per hour during a cycling event. An event will not last more than four hours a day. Depending on the energy efficiency of the home, some customers may experience a more significant temperature rise.
For your convenience, EnergyWise will not be activated on weekends or holidays, except in the event of a system emergency. PLUS, you may choose up to two days per summer season to override the cycling of your air conditioner.
How often will my air conditioner by cycled?
When electricity demand is unusually high, EnergyWise cycles your air conditioner’s compressor off and on, usually only a few days during the summer season (May through September). The program is typically activated on hot summer days for up to four hours between the hours of 1 and 7 p.m. at 10-15 minute intervals.
How often EnergyWise is activated depends on how extreme the summer weather is that year. Progress Energy will not cycle for more than a total of 60 hours per summer season nor for more than a four-hour period at one time.
EnergyWise will not be activated on weekends or holidays except in the event of a system emergency.
Will cycling my air conditioner cause a problem with my air conditioning unit?
No. Progress Energy has invested in proven technology that has been safely used for programs like EnergyWise for over 20 years. Our program uses the latest switch technology that will not allow your air conditioner to short cycle causing a problem with your unit.
Won't interrupting my air conditioner cause it to run longer once it comes back on and increase my electric bill?
No, you should not see an increase in your electric bill. Progress Energy is only changing the time of day your air conditioner runs. Your air conditioner should run for the same number of overall minutes in a day, so your bill should be the same whether a cycle occurs or not.
Why does Progress Energy have this program?
EnergyWise plays an important role when a period of high electric demand places an unusual burden on the area’s power supply. The program helps ensure the reliability of the electricity system by spreading out energy usage over a period of time. Also, by reducing the need for peak-time power that is often generated by fossil fueled power plants, EnergyWise helps lessen greenhouse gas emissions and allows us all to use the available power more efficiently. It’s an easy way you and your family can make a real difference.
Can I really make a difference by participating?
Yes. EnergyWise is an excellent example of how each of us can help create a cleaner, more reliable energy future for us all. Its success depends on the participation of many individual families, but when combined, the impact is great.
On very hot summer days, electric demand can become so high that the electric supply can be stretched to its limits. Lowering the use of residential air conditioning helps lessen this high demand. The cumulative reduction from many EnergyWise participants will help lower overall electric usage.
Additionally EnergyWise helps lessen greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for peak-time power that is often generated by fossil fuel plants.
Eligibility
Who can enroll in the EnergyWise program?
Your home will need to have electric central air conditioning or a heat pump with a centrally ducted system in good working order. The home must be owner-occupied and it must be located in an area that can receive the EnergyWise paging signal.
Can I participate if I am renting or if I am a landlord?
Enrollment is currently limited to persons who own and occupy their home.
Can my business participate too?
At this time only residential customers are eligible for the program.
I currently do not live in an area that can receive the signal. When will EnergyWise be available in my area?
Although the paging system that Progress Energy is using may not provide coverage in your area at this time, we hope to expand signal coverage in the future. Upon request, we will put you on our list of interested customers and will notify you when we expand coverage to your area.
Can I enroll someone else, such as my mother, in the program?
Only the person whose name is listed as the primary customer on the Progress Energy account, or another authorized person on the account, may sign up for the program. If you are authorized on the account you may arrange the enrollment.
I'm the owner of an apartment building; can I enroll?
Currently, multi-family dwellings where the residents do not own the property are not eligible. Therefore apartments are not eligible at this time, but may be included in the program in the future.
I have two central air conditioning units; can I enroll just one of them?
No. To participate in EnergyWise, all air conditioning units at the home must be enrolled.
I have a room air conditioner, can I participate in the program?
Room air conditioners do not qualify for participation. The technology only works on central air conditioning systems.
Incentives and Costs
Will it cost me anything to particpate?
No. Participation is completely free and there are no installation or maintenance charges.
What do I get for participating?
After installation of the EnergyWise technology at your home, you will receive your first $25 credit on your Progress Energy bill. You will receive an additional $25 bill credit after each year you participate.
When will I see the $25 credit on my Progress Energy bill?
You will receive your first credit on your bill within one to two billing cycles after your installation date – and again every year on your anniversary date after 12 consecutive months on the program.
Do I get more money if I sign up more than one air conditioner?
You will receive one $25 bill credit for enrolling in the air conditioning program for your home. The incentive is not based on how many air conditioners you have. If your home has more than one air conditioning system, all must be enrolled in the program to receive the bill credit.
I have heard of similar programs that have the option to enroll other appliances - not just air conditioning. Can I enroll my water heater and get more credit?
In our area, Progress Energy's peak energy demand occurs on summer afternoons and is generally driven by air conditioning. Since the purpose of the program is to reduce peak load, only air conditioning systems offer the necessary cost efficiencies to be included.
How does the EnergyWise program relate to EZ$64 program that used to be available from Progress Energy?
The EZ$64 program that was discontinued in 1998 was also used to help manage peak power demand. EnergyWise uses smart new technology that makes the program much more convenient for our customers. It allows Progress Energy to carefully manage the cycles and provides participants with the option to override up to two cycles per season.
Will EnergyWise save me money on my electricity bill?
The EnergyWise program works by shifting energy consumption from periods of highest demand to a different time of the day. You should not see a change in your regular energy bill, but you will see a $25 credit within two months after successful installation. You’ll get another credit again after 12 months of continuous participation and every year you participate.
Most importantly, EnergyWise will help keep the cost of power lower in the future by helping to reduce the need for new peaking power plants.
Miscellaneous
What do I do if there is a time when I want to avoid or stop the cycling of my air conditioning?
You may select up to two days per summer season to override the cycling of your air conditioner. You can do this by 1) calling ahead to request a day that you already know that cycling your air conditioner would be inconvenient or 2) calling during the actual cycling event to allow the compressor to run normally. Remember, the cycles only affect the air conditioner’s compressor; the fan will continue to run normally. Call us at 1.866.541.8886 to request an override.
How many times may I request an override?
You may select up to two days per summer season (May – September) to override a cycling event. If you make more than two requests in one season you will be removed from the program and you will forfeit future annual bill credits.
If my enrollment in EnergyWise is cancelled, can I re-enroll?
You may re-enroll at any time if your participation has been cancelled. However, you will need to remain on the program for 12 continuous months before you qualify for the annual bill credit.
How long after I sign up will my switch be installed?
Generally, your switch will be installed within 30 to 45 days after you enroll.
Do I need to be home for the air conditioner switch installation?
No. You do not need to be home for the switch on your air conditioner to be installed. However, if your air conditioner is not easily accessible, we will call you to set up an appointment for the installation.
If I have a new central air conditioner or heat pump installed at my house, what should I do?
After your new equipment is installed, please call us at 1.866.541.8886. We will arrange to have your switch reinstalled so that it operates on your new air conditioner or heat pump. There is no charge for this service.
What happens if I want to discontinue my participation in the program?
You may withdraw from the program at any time without penalty. Simply call 1.866.541.8886 to speak with an EnergyWise representative.
Who do I call when I have questions or problems?
All questions can be directed to the EnergyWise call center at 1-866-541-8886.
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