Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
MANASSAS, Va. — The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is encouraging customers to participate in its Load Management Program. Customers who sign up by Dec. 31, 2009, may win one of several programmable thermostats.
To help hold down costs, NOVEC initiated the Load Management Program in 1979. Ken Blaylock, manager of the Co-op’s substations and telecommunications department, says the energy-saving program has saved the Co-op and its customers more than $40 million dollars over the last 30 years. Blaylock says the more customers who participate in the Load Management Program, the more money they all will save.
“Load management technology helps us reduce peak electricity demand on the coldest and hottest days of the year,” explains Blaylock. “This reduces the amount of electricity NOVEC must provide during peak demand times, and reduces the cost the Cooperative must pay for wholesale power all year round. By shaving just 10 percent of electricity use on these days, we estimate that NOVEC’s 142,500 customers would collectively save $4.7 million a year.”
“To encourage more customers to join the 34,000 customers who already participate in the Load Management program, we’re running a contest,” says Gil Jaramillo, manager of Business Development and Energy Services. “A customer who signs up for the program by the end of December will have a chance to win one of six high-quality Honeywell programmable thermostats.”
How NOVEC’s Load Management Program Works
Under the program, NOVEC installs on a customer’s electric water heater a switch the Co-op can use remotely to turn off the heater for approximately two hours on days when power use soars. An insulated water heater will hold most of its heat during this short period. If a customer participates in the air conditioner program, NOVEC will install a switch it can use to turn off the compressor for 10 minutes out of every half-hour during peak use periods.
Customer Benefits
- Lower Electric Bills
Savings from lower wholesale power charges are passed on to all NOVEC customers on bills and through CashBack rebates.
- Electric Water Heater Repair
If a participating homeowner’s electric water heater malfunctions, NOVEC will make a free diagnostic service call. NOVEC will replace, free of charge, malfunctioning thermostats, elements, reset buttons, and fuses. (Leaking water heaters and pipes are not covered since they are plumbing issues. However, NOVEC Solutions, a NOVEC-owned company, will provide a new energy-efficient water heater at a competitive price.) - First-Call Response for Air Conditioner Problems
If a participating homeowner’s air conditioner is not working, NOVEC will send a service representative to the home to help diagnose the problem, free of charge. The homeowner avoids paying for an unnecessary service visit.
- Assistance 24-7
For water heater repair or air conditioner evaluation, customers may call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
