Power Savers IL FAQ
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What is the Power Savers program?
- Power Savers is a voluntary demand response program enabling you to reduce your electricity use during periods of high demand for electricity, while helping the environment and reliability of the electricity grid.
- Participants agree to brief, limited events which adjust their thermostats during peak electric demand periods. Temperature adjustments can occur any time of year, but are more likely to occur on particularly hot summer afternoons, or cold winter evenings.
- Residential electricity customers in Illinois who have installed a qualifying connected thermostat controlling their central air conditioning system or electric heating system are eligible.
The program:
- Supports Illinois’ energy initiatives.
- Protects our environment by lowering emissions.
- Helps reduce the cost of peak energy in our region.
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How will I know if I’m eligible to enroll?
To be eligible to enroll, you must:
- Be a resident of Illinois with an electric utility account.
- Use an eligible internet-connected smart thermostat for electric heating and/or cooling
- Allow Power Savers to make brief, small thermostat adjustments on days of high energy demand
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Which thermostats qualify for the program?
Below is the current list of qualifying thermostats.
Provider Approved Thermostats Alarm.com Trane ComfortLink Control; RCS Z-Wave Communicating Thermostat; GoControl Z-wave Thermostat; Alarm.com Smart Thermostat; 2GIG Z-Wave Plus™ Battery Powered Thermostat; Trane Z-Wave Thermostat; Linear Thermostat Emerson Sensi™ Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat -
Where can I find the Terms and Conditions for the program?
You can find the program terms and conditions for all thermostat providers below:
Provider Terms and Conditions Alarm.com Terms and Conditions Emerson Terms & Conditions -
How do I sign up for the Power Savers program?
Confirm your eligibility for the program by answering these three questions:
- Are a resident of Illinois with an electric utility account?
- Do you use an eligible, internet-connected thermostat to control your central air conditioning or electric heating system?
- Will you allow the program to make brief, small thermostat adjustments on high energy demand days or in the event of a system emergency?
If you answered yes to these three questions, please choose whether you have a thermostat to enroll in the Power Savers IL program or if you would like to purchase a new, qualifying thermostat.
- If you have an existing thermostat, please select your thermostat among the eligible models. Then, click the Enroll Now button to go to your thermostat’s enrollment site, where you will follow a series of simple steps to enroll.
- If you don’t have an existing eligible thermostat, please choose a model, purchase and install it. Once you have installed and activated, come back to enroll your new thermostat in the program.
Once your eligibility is confirmed by Power Savers, you will be enrolled in the program. You will receive notification on your enrollment status via email using the address provided in your account registration.
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How will I know that a temperature adjustment is in progress?
Depending on your thermostat provider, notifications will appear on the thermostat or in your web/mobile application.
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How will my thermostat be adjusted?
- At the start of an adjustment event, your thermostat will be automatically adjusted up to 4 degrees above the current temperature setting.
- The event will typically last less than four hours on non-holiday weekday afternoons. Once the event is over, your thermostat will return to its normal setting.
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Will participating in the program compromise my comfort?
Only on event days, your thermostat will be adjusted by 4 degrees or less. Your participation is voluntary and you will retain control of your thermostat. You can easily opt out of an event for any reason.
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Am I allowed to opt out of thermostat adjustment events?
Yes. During an event, you can opt out from your thermostat, mobile device or web app.
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What should I do if I no longer want to participate in the program?
Send an email to powersavers-il@energyhub.net, requesting to end your participation in the program. Once you have been taken off the program, your thermostat(s) will no longer be controlled and you will not receive the annual participation incentive.
