A RISK FREE PROGRAM WITH A LOAD OF GOOD REWARDS
11. How often will the program be activated?
12. Will CoolSentry be monitoring my energy use?
13. How does the CoolSentry device work?
14. Exactly how does CoolSentry cut power off to my air conditioner compressor?
POWER BEHIND THE PROGRAM
15. Are there other programs like this?
16. What’s the catch? Is there a cost?
17. Who is behind the CoolSentry program?
ALREADY A CUSTOMER? HERE'S SOME MORE FOR YOU TO KNOW
18. I'm having a new air conditioner installed, what should I do?
19. How long after I sign-up before my CoolSentry device is installed?
20. How do I know if my CoolSentry device is activated?
21. If the device fails or is damaged, will my air conditioner stop working?
22. My device has a label that says there will be a 3 to 7 minute delay after a power interruption. What does this mean?
23. My air conditioner is not operating properly. What should I do? Is there someone I can call to make sure that it's not related to CoolSentry?
24. What if my air conditioning company's service technician recommends that I have my device disconnected or removed?
COOLSENTRY - GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
1. What is peak electric demand?
Demand is the amount of electricity needed at any given time.
Electric usage changes every minute due to various reasons such as change in
weather as well as change in demand for electricity by residential, business,
commercial and industrial customers. Peak electric demand is reached when the
combined demand for electricity is at its highest point. Generally a peak is
reached on weekdays between 1 pm and 6 pm.
2. How can I help save the environment and
help keep electric costs low?
Each customer that uses electricity contributes to the load on
the electric system. Everyone can help lower the electric demand and delay the
need to build additional power plants by reducing air conditioning usage during
peak demand periods and by participating in energy efficiency programs. This
helps preserve the environment while keeping electric costs low.
3. Why do we need CoolSentry?
Energy use in southwest Connecticut has grown dramatically
and continues to do so. This program will be activated only during severe
power emergencies, and is a simple and effective way to help reduce
energy demand.
4. What is the benefit to my community?
CoolSentry enables your community to more efficiently use the existing electric infrastructure and reduce peak demand.
5. What is the CoolSentry device and how does it help?
The CoolSentry device is a wireless receiver connected to your outdoor central A/C units. During a severe summertime power emergency, a signal is sent to activate all the devices in the area, which temporarily turns the central A/C units on and off until the power emergency is resolved.
6. Does that mean my business will get hot?
You should notice little, if any, difference of indoor air temperature. Programs similar to CoolSentry, in other areas of the country, have been in existence since the early 1980s and customers rarely, if ever, notice any difference in their indoor air temperature.
7. How do I sign up for CoolSentry?
You can sign up online or by calling 1.800.717.6697.
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WE DO THE INSTALLATION. YOU REAP THE REWARDS
8. How will the CoolSentry device be installed?
Within three to four weeks of signing up, a licensed
service professional will install the device. It typically takes about
30 minutes and you don’t need to be present for the installation.
Just be sure our technician has access to your outdoor A/C units.
9. Who will install the CoolSentry device?
We have contracted expert HVAC technicians that specialize in the installation of these demand-saving switches and maintain all of the necessary licenses, permits and insurance. We are dedicated to providing high quality installations and exceptional customer service.
10. How do I get paid?
Residential CoolSentry participants receive a $50 thank-you bonus check just for signing up. Plus you'll get $50 at the end of the year for a total incentive of $100. Thank-you checks are issued in the fall.
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A RISK FREE PROGRAM WITH A LOAD OF GOOD REWARDS
11. How often will the CoolSentry device be activated
Emergency activation is rare—only twice in the
last two years. The last one occurred on August 2, 2006. During activation, there is only a minor change of indoor temperature. Most participants never even notice the change.
12. Will CoolSentry be monitoring my energy use?
No. The device is essentially a receiver and has no
way to report how you use energy. It does not transmit or monitor your
energy use in any way. CoolSentry also will not affect
your normal A/C usage. It is simply an emergency response device that
is only activated during an emergency.
13. How will the CoolSentry device work?
During periods of peak energy use in the summer months, a radio signal is sent to your CoolSentry device to activate it. It will interrupt
the flow of electricity to the compressor on your air conditioner or
heat pump for up to 15 minutes each half-hour. Only electricity to the
compressor is interrupted. The indoor fan will continue to run if your
thermostat is calling for cooling. This is what reduces the demand for
energy, and helps keep down the cost of electricity.
14. Exactly how does CoolSentry cut power off
to my air conditioner compressor?
The CoolSentry device is connected to the low voltage
wire (24 volts) that goes from your thermostat to your air conditioner's
compressor. The device turns off the compressor just as if you had moved
your thermostat setting to a high enough temperature to turn your air
conditioner off for a few minutes yourself. That's the simple part of
the device. Your device is also a radio that receives the control signal
from us and a microcomputer that does the control.
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POWER BEHIND THE PROGRAM
15. Are there other programs like this?
Yes. There are hundreds of electric utilities nationwide
running similar programs, with over six million devices in use.
16. What’s the catch? Is there a cost?
CoolSentry is available with no cost to participate.
There is no charge for installation of the CoolSentry device. In fact,
in the long term, the CoolSentry program will help lower costs associated
with supplying electricity to the region. If you are not satisfied, you will be removed from the program at no cost, upon request.
17. Who is behind the CoolSentry program?
CoolSentry was developed by Comverge Inc., the nation’s
leader in demand response systems, and is being offered under contract
with ISO New England, the operator of New England’s bulk electricity
system. It is ISO-NE’s responsibility to help ensure the reliability
of the power system. The CoolSentry program helps meet this objective
by reducing the need for electricity during a power emergency, when
demand far exceeds supply.
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ALREADY A CUSTOMER? HERE'S SOME MORE FOR YOU TO KNOW
18. I'm having a new air conditioner installed, what should I do?
Call us toll-free at 1.800.717.6697 to let us know.
We will arrange to have a CoolSentry device installed on your new air
conditioner.
19. How long after I sign-up before my CoolSentry
device is installed?
Generally within three to four weeks. During certain
times of the year when large numbers of customers are signing up for
the program, there could be a longer wait for installation.
20. How do I know if my CoolSentry device is
activated?
The CoolSentry device has a window on the front of it.
A light (either red or yellow) will appear in the window when the device
has been activated. The light will be on during the few minutes that
electricity is being interrupted to the compressor. When the light goes
out, electricity is restored to the compressor, and cooling continues.
This process will repeat every thirty minutes during the period of activation.
A green light may be on, off or momentarily flash, indicates that the
switch is testing itself.
21. If the device fails or is damaged, will
my air conditioner stop working?
The CoolSentry device is an extremely reliable piece
of equipment with a failure rate of well below 1%. It is designed to
allow your cooling to continue to work in the unlikely event of a failure.
The device fails in a positive mode, which means your cooling will continue
to operate normally even in the unlikely event the switch does fail.
22. My device has a label that says there will
be a 3 to 7 minute delay after a power interruption. What does this
mean?
This is one of the safety features of the device. After
a power interruption (outage) to the air conditioning unit or heat pump,
the compressor is not allowed to operate for 3 to 7 minutes to prevent
short cycling, which could damage the compressor.
23. My air conditioner is not operating properly.
What should I do? Is there someone I can call to make sure that it's
not related to CoolSentry?
First, you should check your circuit breaker or fuses
to make sure that's not the problem. Next, double check the thermostat
to be sure it's set properly. If all of that is okay, you can call toll-free
1.800.717.6697 anytime. We can help you determine the problem over the
phone. If there is a problem with the device, we will send a technician
to your home right away to make any necessary corrections.
24. What if my air conditioning company's service
technician recommends that I have my device disconnected or removed?
While we have attempted to educate air conditioning
contractors about the switch, they may, on occasion, recommend it be
removed or disconnected. Please have your service technician call us
at 1.800.717.6697 before allowing them to proceed with disconnection
or removal. We have worked with the equipment manufacturers during the
design of this device and program, and you can be assured the CoolSentry
device will not harm your air conditioner in any way, and it will not
affect your equipment's warranty.
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