Cool Sentry program

[getbent]

I don't believe any threads that mention Cool Sentry have been updated. SMECO called and said techs would be in our area, do we want to participate. Told her I'd have to talk to hubby, bills in his name. Any thoughts, good or bad, on this program? Any hidden costs to have it or opt out? TIA.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

$10 off your elec. bill every summer month is the benefit.

downside is they can cycle your a/c (turn it off) during peak times (i.e. hot summer days when you want A/C the most).

 

[Puddleducker]

I

I don't believe any threads that mention Cool Sentry have been updated. SMECO called and said techs would be in our area, do we want to participate. Told her I'd have to talk to hubby, bills in his name. Any thoughts, good or bad, on this program? Any hidden costs to have it or opt out? TIA.

I signed up in April. They had me hooked up in a few days and I haven't noticed a thing. I get a rebate of $50 times 2 (since I have 2 units) one time per year. They told me that they have only had to use the program a few times a year. No hidden costs. Installation was free. I was told that they would shut the units off if I had a problem or changed my mind. Pretty transparent even through the heat yesterday and today.

 

[MR47930]

Also, they only turn your AC up to 78 during the day when energy use is highest. By the time you get home your house will be whatever temp you want it. I have only noticed it once when I came home from work early.

 

[getbent]

Also, they only turn your AC up to 78 during the day when energy use is highest. By the time you get home your house will be whatever temp you want it. I have only noticed it once when I came home from work early.

That might not be too bad for the first floor but the second floor is already warm with the thermostat set at 73. We need a damper system but couldn't afford that and the new hvac unit.

 

[Agee]

I have it installed, the compressor is only to be cycle during high demand periods and during the normal work day. Weekends and Holidays are not suppose to be cycled. If you notice the outside unit is not running, check the "Sentry" unit installed by the outdoor unit and you should see the small indicator lights, lit. Note: the Sentry unit only cycles the compressor unit , not the air handler unit. So it may appear your AC is on, but your just hearing the air handler.

 

[getbent]

I have it installed, the compressor is only to be cycle during high demand periods and during the normal work day. Weekends and Holidays are not suppose to be cycled. If you notice the outside unit is not running, check the "Sentry" unit installed by the outdoor unit and you should see the small indicator lights, lit. Note: the Sentry unit only cycles the compressor unit , not the air handler unit. So it may appear your AC is on, but your just hearing the air handler.

So outside unit could be off but the fan for inside could be running? Does it shut off like normal or continuously run (the air handler)?

 

[Chris0nllyn]

So outside unit could be off but the fan for inside could be running? Does it shut off like normal or continuously run (the air handler)?

It'll run the whole time your thermostat is calling for cool. It won't shut off until the set temp is reached and the t-stat tells it to turn off.

SMECO just controls when the outdoor condensing unit turns on and off.

It also depends how it's hooked up and which system you have. I believe the newer systems are just a radio thermostat. The older ones mount to the outdoor unit and/or water heater.

 

[Agee]

It'll run the whole time your thermostat is calling for cool. It won't shut off until the set temp is reached and the t-stat tells it to turn off.

SMECO just controls when the outdoor condensing unit turns on and off.

It also depends how it's hooked up and which system you have. I believe the newer systems are just a radio thermostat. The older ones mount to the outdoor unit and/or water heater.

The SMECO control unit outside receives wireless command(s) to cycle the compressor off. Unsure of how robust that wireless controller is beyond cycling the compressor off. ie; controlling your thermostats temperature setting, etc. The technician that installed mine was supposed to leave an information package. I didn't even know it was installed until I happened to be cutting the grass one day...

 

[Concern4Calvert]

The SMECO control unit outside receives wireless command(s) to cycle the compressor off. Unsure of how robust that wireless controller is beyond cycling the compressor off. ie; controlling your thermostats temperature setting, etc. The technician that installed mine was supposed to leave an information package. I didn't even know it was installed until I happened to be cutting the grass one day...

Ours worked great for the first summer. The following year we had some technical issue that required SMECO to dig up our back yard and mess with connections to the grid. Ever since then I believe the thing was accidentally disconnected or something. We don't notice the peak shut-off or any other energy reducing changes. We still receive the credit though.

 

[Agee]

Ours worked great for the first summer. The following year we had some technical issue that required SMECO to dig up our back yard and mess with connections to the grid. Ever since then I believe the thing was accidentally disconnected or something. We don't notice the peak shut-off or any other energy reducing changes. We still receive the credit though.

According to the program person I talked with, the first year the system experienced some "glitches", translation, they had to go back to the drawing board for some re-design.