Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why does Georgia Power have this program?
A. Power Credit is one way that Georgia Power meets the electric needs of its customers. By shifting air conditioner use during critical peak demand periods, customers can help delay the building of expensive new power plants. This helps keep Georgia Power's prices low for everyone.

Q. Can I really make a difference by participating?
A. Yes, you can! By participating in Power Credit, you and thousands of others will allow Georgia Power to meet the demand for electricity. This delays the need to build additional power plants, which saves everyone money by keeping electric prices low. And low prices help attract new industry and jobs to Georgia.

Q. How does it work?
A. Air conditioners cycle, meaning that they run for a certain amount of time (on), and then shut down (off). This on-off "cycling" is what maintains the temperature at a certain level. Our switch, when active, will shorten the (on) time. For example, if your air conditioner normally cycles 15 minutes in the "on" part of the cycle, the switch will allow it to operate for 5 minutes. This will only take place for a few hours in the day and will only be used a few days a year during the summer. The inside temperature might rise slightly during this time. The air conditioner will compensate for this later, after the load-control switch is turned off. Since the running of the air conditioner is being shifted to later in the day, it takes some demand off the system during the peak hours of energy demand.

Q. What's in it for me?
A. Georgia Power is paying $20 to single-family residential customers for signing up for this program. Additionally, there will be a one time annual credit on the customer's bill if the switch is activated during the year. The amount of this credit will depend on the number of times the switch is activated during a summer. There will be a $2 credit for each activation that takes place during the summer. Example: If the switch were activated 10 times in the summer of 2002, the customer would receive a credit of $20 after the summer.

Q. Does the program decrease my electric bill?
A. It is unlikely there is any bill savings with this program even though there are kWh reductions during the switch activation period. Experience has shown that direct load control or air conditioner (heat pump) cycling programs simply shift energy usage from on-peak periods (noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays during the summer) to off-peak periods, so ultimately there is no energy savings or bill savings.

Q. Does the equipment damage my A/C compressor?
A. The equipment does not damage the air conditioner or heat pump compressor. The equipment is connected to the low voltage wire that runs between the compressor and the thermostat. When the switch is activated and the thermostat signals the compressor to run, the switch will interrupt this signal so the compressor only runs approximately 5 minutes out of every 15 minutes of run time.

Q. Is there a contract? How long do I have to participate in this program?
A. There is no formal contract, but because of the investment being made to install the switches, we are requiring that customers participate for at least 12 months.

Q. How often will the switch be activated? Can it be activated anytime?
A. The switch will only be activated during the weekday hours between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the summer months of May through September. The switch will not be activated on any summer weekday that is a holiday. The activation period can be 2 to 4 hours (most likely will be 3 hours) with an expected number of activation events in a typical year to be 10. The actual cycling of the air conditioner is done based on your air conditioner's run time. For instance, let's assume your air conditioner typically runs for 10 minutes each 15 minutes (clock time) during hot afternoons. The cycling strategy that Georgia Power is implementing is known as a 65% cycling strategy. This means for the 10 minutes that your air conditioner would have run (during the 15 minutes of clock time), the switch will only let the signal from the thermostat to the air conditioner compressor through for 3.5 minutes (blocks the signal for 6.5 minutes or 65% of the normal run time) of run time.

Q. Will I experience any discomfort during the switch activation?
A. Since the compressor is operating some during the activated period, the temperature in the home should not rise more than a couple of degrees (if any). This slight rise in temperature should not generate any (or at least a minimal amount) of discomfort.

Q. How will I know when the switch is activated? Can I shut it off or override it?
A. The switch box has an LED light display window on the front that when showing RED will indicate that the switch is in an interruption activation mode. The switch can not be shut off (or overridden) at the home.

Q. When will I get the credit?
A. The initial $20 signup credit will be placed on your bill after the equipment is installed (this could take a couple of months due to billing cycles). The credit for activating the switch will be done one time after the summer and will likely appear on the November month's bill.

Q. Who do I call when I have questions or problems?
A. We are using GoodCents to install the equipment and to provide service call support. The number to call is 1-800-843-4916.

Q. Is there anything that I need to do with my thermostat as a result of this program or switch?
A. No. The operation of your thermostat should not be impacted by the installation of the switch nor should activation of the switch have any impact on your internal controls or settings of your thermostat. However, we recommend that customers set their thermostats to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter.

Q. Do I have to sign up for the program again each year?
A. No. Once the switch is installed on your air conditioner compressor, you will automatically continue on the program each year unless the program is discontinued or you request to not participate any longer.

Q. Is there anything that I should do if I need normal service or maintenance on my air conditioner or heat pump? Do I need to communicate anything to the HVAC maintenance person regarding the switch?
A. There is nothing special that needs to be done from an air conditioner maintenance perspective due to having the switch connected to the low voltage wire from the thermostat to the compressor. You should make the HVAC maintenance person aware that you are on the program and to make sure that he does not inadvertently disconnect the switch. In the event the switch is disconnected, the switch will self-reset after a 5 to 10 minute delay.”

Q. Is there anything that I need to do when leaving for an extended period (vacation, etc.) of time?
A. Not as a result of being a part of this program, but we recommend that you set your thermostat to a higher set point since no one will be home for an extended period of time and therefore, comfort will not be a consideration.

Q. What if I am entertaining guests on the weekends, holidays or in the evening?
A. The switch will not be activated on the weekends or on holidays. The switch could be activated in the evening before 7 p.m., but most likely the hours of interruption will be between 2 and 6 p.m. (when we normally see our system peak). Additionally, it is expected that the activation of the switch will most likely not be noticeable.

Q. How long will it take to have the equipment installed? Will I need to be at home during the installation?
A. It should take less than one hour to install the equipment and even though it is preferred that you be home, it is not necessary, unless there is a locked fence or animal in the yard.

Q. What should I do if I have to replace my air conditioner or heat pump, and I am on this program?
A. Make sure the HVAC technician knows about the switch and that you are participating in this Georgia Power program. Ask the technician to make sure that the switch is connected to the low voltage wire between the thermostat and the air conditioner compressor. If there are any questions, please call GoodCents (equipment installer and service provider) at 1-800-843-4916.

Q. What happens if I move and sell my home?
A. Please notify the person who buys your house about the switch and that you were participating in this program. If the new owner has questions, they can call GoodCents (equipment installer and service provider) at 1-800-843-4916.

Q. Are there any problems associated with this switch and having a programmable thermostat?
A. The switch will not impact any operations you have with setting either a standard thermostat or a programmable thermostat.

Q. Can I participate if I live in an apartment or rental property?
A. No. Due to the economics of the program, we are not allowing renters to participate in the program at this time.

Q. Will I be able to participate in this program if I only have a window air conditioner?
A. No. The benefits associated with this program are based on whole house cooling.

Q. What if I have more than one central air conditioning unit?
A. All units at your home will be equipped with a switch. The benefits associated with this program are based on whole house cooling.

Q. Do I get additional credits for having more than one central air conditioning unit?
A. No, credits are paid on a per home basis.

Q. Are condominiums and townhomes eligible?
A. Yes, typical condominiums and townhome structures produce some economic benefits to the company's system through peak load shifting.