22,000 Colorado Households Lose Control of Their Home Thermostats During Heat Wave as Power Company Locks Out Air Conditioning Use

[PorkChopSandwiches]

September 1, 2022 | Sundance | 396 Comments

Comrades, a heatwave hit the Colorado region Tuesday with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.

Indoor temperatures began climbing, and when formerly free-range residents attempted to adjust their air conditioning, they discovered they were locked out from control in their own home as the power company took over.

(Denver ABC7) – […] when thousands of Xcel customers in Colorado tried adjusting their thermostats Tuesday, they learned they had no control over the temperatures in their own homes.

“I mean, it was 90 out, and it was right during the peak period,” Talarico said. “It was hot.” That’s when he saw a message on the thermostat stating the temperature was locked due to an “energy emergency.”

Xcel confirmed to Contact Denver7 that 22,000 customers who had signed up for the Colorado AC Rewards program were locked out of their smart thermostats for hours on Tuesday.

Comrade Citizens, it is important that we support the needs of the energy collective. All good thinking citizens put the needs of the state ahead of their selfish desires.

As the national energy emergency now begins to unfold, the officials in charge of energy resource equity remind everyone how critical it is to remain compliant with all ministerial energy objectives. Compliance is expected from all correct thinking citizens.

As long as you remain compliant, there is no reason for concern. Do not attempt to adjust your household allocation of energy. Energy advisors will be made available for enhanced personal education to explain the benefits of our Green New Deal. Your cooperation is appreciated Comrades. Please report any non-compliant energy consumers to your local energy enforcement agency.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

And if you sign up for this program, you get a one-time $20 credit on one of your electric bills :tup:

Xcel has stopped asking if we wanted to sign up because we kept telling them fuck no.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

$20 :lol:
Yesterday it was 113, but I still leave my thermostat at 78. It seems fine for the most part

[Pony]

:rofl:

Currently 72 in my place, it'll shut off at 70.

[lost in melb.]

I don't like this one bit, but I guess it's better than losing power altogether - which I'm guessing would have been the result if they hadn't done that??

More information needed. And yes, I would never sign up for that trash. Lol.

[Godfather]

Damn, I'd never heard of thermostats controlled by the electric company before.. this is fucked.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

And if you sign up for this program, you get a one-time $20 credit on one of your electric bills :tup:

Xcel has stopped asking if we wanted to sign up because we kept telling them fuck no.

It appears they have "upgraded" the offer since when they first unveiled this fantabulous feature. So, you get a one-time $100 enrollment credit and then one annual $25 credit as long as you are enrolled.. You need to have a wi-fi enabled smart thermostat to be eligible.

https://i.imgur.com/AjhLAh3.png

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Jaclyn Allen - ABC Denver 7


https://i.imgur.com/eubhrMrh.jpg

DENVER — During the dog days of summer, it's important to keep your home cool. But when thousands of Xcel customers in Colorado tried adjusting their thermostats Tuesday, they learned they had no control over the temperatures in their own homes.

Temperatures climbed into the 90s Tuesday, which is why Tony Talarico tried to crank up the air conditioning in his partner's Arvada home.

"I mean, it was 90 out, and it was right during the peak period," Talarico said. "It was hot."

That's when he saw a message on the thermostat stating the temperature was locked due to an "energy emergency."

"Normally, when we see a message like that, we're able to override it," Talarico said. "In this case, we weren't. So, our thermostat was locked in at 78 or 79."

On social media, dozens of Xcel customers complained of similar experiences — some reporting home temperatures as high as 88 degrees.

Xcel confirmed to Contact Denver7 that 22,000 customers who had signed up for the Colorado AC Rewards program were locked out of their smart thermostats for hours on Tuesday.

"It's a voluntary program. Let's remember that this is something that customers choose to be a part of based on the incentives," said Emmett Romine, vice president of customer solutions and innovation at Xcel.

Customers receive a $100 credit for enrolling in the program and $25 annually, but Romine said customers also agree to give up some control to save energy and money and make the system more reliable.

"So, it helps everybody for people to participate in these programs. It is a bit uncomfortable for a short period of time, but it's very, very helpful," said Romine.

This is the first time in the program's six year span that customers could not override their smart thermostats, Romine said. He said the "energy emergency" was due to an unexpected outage in Pueblo combined with hot weather and heavy air conditioner usage.

But Talarico said he had no idea that he could be locked out of the thermostat. While he has solar panels and a smart thermostat to save energy, he says he did not sign up to have this much control taken away.

"To me, an emergency means there is, you know, life, limb, or, you know, some other danger out there — some, you know, massive wildfires," Talarico said. "Even if it's a once-in-a-blue-moon situation, it just doesn't sit right with us to not be able to control our own thermostat in our house."