Another Utility wants to control your temperature

PG&E pays customers $25 to use SmartAC switch

As summer approaches, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is encouraging customers to enroll in SmartAC, a program that allows the utility to adjust participants' central air conditioning systems in times of local emergencies or periods of peak usage.

PG&E will pay customers $25 for each air conditioner they enroll in SmartAC, which is open to residential and small business customers.

Participants can choose between a switch, which is installed near or outside of the air conditioning unit, or a new thermostat. Both are provided for free and are controlled remotely by PG&E through radio signals. Through the switch, PG&E would radio an air conditioner to cycle half as much as it would normally. Or it would direct the thermostat to raise the temperature by no more than 4 degrees, Sundays and holidays excepted.

Customers who have the thermostat also can control their heaters and air conditioners remotely through the site www.pge-smartac.com, where customers also can enroll. By enrolling, customers promise to remain in the program for 12 months.

Except during Stage III emergencies, participants can opt out of SmartAC temporarily by calling PG&E.

Stockton residents have been using Smart AC since February 2007. PG&E began signing up customers in the East Bay about nine months ago and has enrolled 11,000 residents so far, a spokesman said. The utility hopes to enroll 400,000 customers by the summer of 2011.