PSEG To Activate Smart Saver Program, Control Thermostats

LONG ISLAND, NY — With a heat wave currently affecting the area, PSEG Long Island announced that it will be activating its Smart Savers Thermostat Program today. The program allows PSEG-LI to remotely control the thermostats of residents who have signed up for the program, allowing the utility to better control electricity usage during peak times.

PSEG said it expects to have enough electric capacity to meet customer demand for the high temperatures and high humidity. While there are no capacity concerns, PSEG is planning to activate thermostat program to reduce loading on the system, which helps create future savings for customers, it said.

“Customers with smart thermostats who choose to enroll in this program are helping everyone in the service area by allowing us to reduce the peak demand on some of the hottest days,” said Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewable energy for PSEG-Long Island. “This saves them money today and it will help generate savings for customers in the future.”

PSEG Long Island must purchase power in advance, basing the amount on load forecasts and state-mandated capacity requirements that incorporate peak-usage levels from previous years. By reducing peak usage this year, the company lowers the amount of power that must be purchased in advance for next summer.

Approximately 27,500 customers who have elected to participate in this program may experience on- and off-cycling of their central air conditioning systems, or a small increase in temperature, between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m., PSEG said.

The Smart Savers Thermostat Program allows the utility to control the thermostats of customers with compatible smart thermostats, which can be controlled remotely. The utility makes short-term adjustments to the thermostats during peak hours to help conserve energy.

Those who signed up for the program received $85, and may also receive $25 each year they remain enrolled.

You can click here to get more information about the Smart Savers program and find out how to sign up.