PSE&G's Cool Customer Program

“Save energy…save money…
and help the environment at the same time.”

An easy, voluntary way to manage your home energy use in the summer…and all year round.

Overview of the Cool Customer Program
Benefits
How does it work?
Program Features
Incentives for residential participants
Frequently Asked Questions
Terms & Conditions

Overview of the Cool Customer Program

PSE&G’s Cool Customer Program is a way for our electric customers to help us minimize the impact of high energy demand on the electric system which maintains the reliability of the system and reduces the likelihood of blackouts due to high energy usage. At the same time, it will help customers conserve energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Once you enroll, PSE&G will install a new state-of-the-art programmable thermostat with a large touch-screen digital display (a $250 value) at no charge to you.  If summer energy demand in our service area is extremely high, PSE&G may cycle your air conditioning compressor on and off to limit demand on the electric system.  In return, you will receive credit on your electric bill of up to $50.

To sign up or for more information, call 1-888-504-4028 or enroll online .

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Benefits

• Participants receive program incentives whether we initiate cycling events or not.
• FREE installation of a state-of-the-art programmable Honeywell UtilityPRO™ thermostat. 
• Thermostat can be programmed to match your personal or business schedule. 
• Reduce your energy use and save money. For example, using your programmable thermostat to raise the temperature in your home during the summer from 74º F to 77º (just 3º!) could lower your cooling bill by more than 10% without sacrificing comfort! The thermostat can also be programmed in the winter to save on heating costs.
• Reduce the likelihood of blackouts.
• Reduce energy demand to promote a cleaner environment.

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How does it work?

An experienced PSE&G technician or representative will install a new programmable thermostat in your home, or a cycling switch on your central air conditioning compressor. If summer energy demand in our service area is extremely high, a signal is sent to the thermostat or switch to cycle your central air conditioner on and off at 15 minute intervals. This helps to minimize the impact of high energy demand on the electric system, which maintains the reliability of the electric system and reduces the likelihood of blackouts due to high energy usage. (During cycling, the indoor fan continues to circulate air throughout the home.) Participants also help to preserve the environment by reducing the demand on the electric system.

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Program Features

• Participation in the Cool Customer Program is voluntary. You can cancel your participation at any time.
• If you elect to have a cycling switch installed on your central air conditioning compressor outside your home, an appointment is usually not necessary.
• If you choose to have a programmable thermostat installed, an appointment to access your home is required.
• An experienced PSE&G technician or representative will install the new thermostat or cycling switch free of charge at a convenient time for you. The PSE&G technician will also program the thermostat to fit your personal schedule and comfort level to save energy and money…all year round.
• The UtilityPRO programmable thermostat (from Honeywell) features a large, easy-to-read backlit touch screen. The thermostat uses the best thermostat technology in North America.

To sign up or for more information, call 1-888-504-4028 or enroll online .

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Incentives for residential customers

If you already participate in the Cool Customer Program and wish to continue participation, or you are signing up as a new participant, you will receive the following incentives:

Programmable thermostat – residential customers will receive:

• a FREE state-of –the-art digital display programmable thermostat with large touch screen, installed at no extra charge (a $300 value) that can be programmed to fit your personal schedule and comfort level to save energy and money; plus
• a one-time $50 credit on your electric bill.

-or-

Cycling switch – residential customers will receive: 

• a $4.00 credit on your electric bill for each of the summer months you participate, June-September (a total of $16), plus
• $1.00 per cycling event.

To sign up or for more information, call 1-888-504-4028 or enroll online.

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FAQs

Who installs the thermostat or switch?
An experienced PSE&G technician or representative will install the new thermostat or cycling switch free of charge at a convenient time for you.

When will cycling events occur and how long do they last?
PSE&G will make every effort to limit cycling events to weekdays generally between the hours of 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, but such events could occur on any day at any time and for longer durations as may be required under certain limited circumstances in the event of system emergencies.

How long does a cycling event occur?
The overall length of a cycling event can be up to six hours. This does not mean your central air conditioner will be off for six hours. During any given hour of a cycling event, your air conditioner will only be cycled for a total 30 minutes. This is typically done in three 10-minute, or two 15-minute, intervals during the hour. That means your air conditioner will operate 50% of the time during a cycling event. During cycling, your indoor fan will continue to circulate air throughout your home.

How many times will I be cycled?
Since 2005, PSE&G has only initiated a total of eight cycling events. However, per program rules, PSE&G can initiate up to 20 cycling events per year in response to local and regional emergencies, and periods of abnormally high energy prices.

*Note that in 2010 – one of the hottest summers in New Jersey history – there was only one cycling event!

How hot will my home get during the cycling event?
The answer to this question varies based on several factors such as outside temperature and the home’s “tightness” level (insulation, window and door age and outside air infiltration rates, etc.). In general, the inside temperature can rise 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit during cycling.

To sign up or for more information, call 1-888-504-4028 or enroll online.