Smeco?

[Chasey_Lane]

Do you have their Cool Sentry restrictor?

Will this restrictor work w/ any thermostat? I thought it had to be a CS one.

 

[kwillia]

I have the CS system that was standard with the house. We have our own programmable thermostats that we intend to switch out, just haven't gotten around to it. I hate the CS system, and their thermostats are crap!

You don't have to use their thermostats...

The SMECO CoolSentry DCU
A programmable thermostat can help you save money — 10% off your annual heating/cooling bills. But in the event you already have one, or our installation technicians discover that incompatible equipment or poor signal strength in your area makes you ineligible for one, we can install a Digital Cycling Unit (DCU) on your outdoor central A/C unit.

The SMECO CoolSentry DCU is a device that is connected near your exterior air conditioning unit. It receives a wireless signal from SMECO to place your air conditioning compressor into a conservation mode during selected summer days. This helps manage electricity demand during times of peak usage.

Benefits:

Operates automatically
You do not have to be home for installation if your air conditioner is easily and safely accessible


Vince, I've been ignoring their mailings wanting me to sign up. Last week I received written notification from them that they will be in the area and unless I send them written notification declining CoolSentry DCU, they will automatically do it without me being home.

 

[Vince]

They only have to come in the house if I want their thermostat. They can put the restrictor on by my central air units without me being home. They get "permission" to do so by me not notifying them in writing that I don't want them to do so.
Do you have their Cool Sentry restrictor?

Don't think that's quite legal. You have to notify someone that you want their product. Not that you don't want it. They put it on my units and they will hear from a lawyer.

 

[ICit]

And where would they make the change? On the meter? And how would they do that without killing power to the entire house? They can't put something on my outside units without my permission.

they can do anything from the transformer to the meter base :shrug: (change out trans. or meter... looks like they are changing out lots of them)

they just cant come into your house with out your permission. Or anything that will bind you into a contract with out your permission.

 

[kwillia]

Don't think that's quite legal. You have to notify someone that you want their product. Not that you don't want it. They put it on my units and they will hear from a lawyer.

they can do anything from the transformer to the meter base :shrug: (change out trans. or meter... looks like they are changing out lots of them)

they just cant come into your house with out your permission. Or anything that will bind you into a contract with out your permission.

Their recent mailing is written in such a way that my non-response will be considered acceptence on my part into the CS DCU program and I will automatically be signed up and start seeing the "rebates" on my bill once they've installed it.

 

[ICit]

Don't think that's quite legal. You have to notify someone that you want their product. Not that you don't want it. They put it on my units and they will hear from a lawyer.

 

[ICit]

Their recent mailing is written in such a way that my non-response will be considered acceptence on my part into the CS DCU program and I will automatically be signed up and start seeing the "rebates" on my bill once they've installed it.

now.. I do think that SOME people should have it! Such as.. my neighbor on "housing". ..... she runs that AC to where the windows are moist inside!! ... AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT!

She need it! I would like to sign her up... to save us "The TAXPAYERS" money!

 

[Vince]

Their recent mailing is written in such a way that my non-response will be considered acceptence on my part into the CS DCU program and I will automatically be signed up and start seeing the "rebates" on my bill once they've installed it.

Or you can just call this number and tell them you don't want it. 866-921-9474

 

[nicole_M]

You don't have to use their thermostats...

The SMECO CoolSentry DCU
A programmable thermostat can help you save money — 10% off your annual heating/cooling bills. But in the event you already have one, or our installation technicians discover that incompatible equipment or poor signal strength in your area makes you ineligible for one, we can install a Digital Cycling Unit (DCU) on your outdoor central A/C unit.

The SMECO CoolSentry DCU is a device that is connected near your exterior air conditioning unit. It receives a wireless signal from SMECO to place your air conditioning compressor into a conservation mode during selected summer days. This helps manage electricity demand during times of peak usage.

Benefits:

Operates automatically
You do not have to be home for installation if your air conditioner is easily and safely accessible


Vince, I've been ignoring their mailings wanting me to sign up. Last week I received written notification from them that they will be in the area and unless I send them written notification declining CoolSentry DCU, they will automatically do it without me being home.

I got the same notice. I suppose I need to look into the program and see for myself. My electric bills have been very reasonable lately - little over $200/month.

My largest bill was January of 2010 when it was $794.00. We have electric baseboard heat BTW, but do have central AC.

 

[drivingdaisy]

Fiance and I fight enough about controlling the thermostat, I wouldn't want a third party involved.

I'm home during many summer days and wouldn't want to not be able to set the thermostat at what was most comfortable for me while I was there.

 

[Vince]

I got the same notice. I suppose I need to look into the program and see for myself. My electric bills have been very reasonable lately - little over $200/month.

My largest bill was January of 2010 when it was $794.00. We have electric baseboard heat BTW, but do have central AC.

Have your bill averaged so you know exactly what you're paying every month.

 

[nicole_M]

Have your bill averaged so you know exactly what you're paying every month.

252.70 Aug '10
138.41 Sept '10
110.25 Oct '10
147.52 Nov '10
297.63 Dec '10
350.56 Jan '11
419.53 Feb '11
249.84 Mar '11
203.38 Apr '11
190.35 May '11
228.53 June '11
244.42 July '11

$2833.12 divided by 12 = a $236.09 average. My bills are reasonable IMO. House built in '92 with no upgrade to the heating system [yet] but the previous owners did install the central AC system. Unit is undersized though.

 

[UNA]

Wirelessly posted

Yes...If no one is home set it up a few degrees. It will save you money and the people who are not there will never know.

How does that save money? Ultimately the system has to work longer (staying on) to efficiently cool the house to the lower temp. Wouldn't that be more energy/money? I have no idea if I'm right or wrong, just curious.

I've had SMECO people tell me it saves money as long as you're not going up or down more than 2 or 3 degrees.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Wirelessly posted



I've had SMECO people tell me it saves money as long as you're not going up or down more than 2 or 3 degrees.

I set my thermostat 72-74 downstairs and when SMECO has taken over my system, I've come home to the house being a sweltering 79 degrees.

 

[kwillia]

I set my thermostat 72-74 downstairs and when SMECO has taken over my system, I've come home to the house being a sweltering 79 degrees.

This seals the deal... I'm going to say NO to Cool Sentry.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

This seals the deal... I'm going to say NO to Cool Sentry.

There really is no benefit to switching, especially with other options available. My last bill was pretty average and under $200 (what it typically runs each month). Yesterday in the mail I received my new bill and it is for $247. Coincidentally, I came home several times to a constant "red light" which meant SMECO had control over my system. Where is my savings?
Granted, it was hot last month and $247 isn't bad for cooling a house that is over 3K in square feet.

 

[kwillia]

Granted, it was hot last month and $247 isn't bad for cooling a house that is over 3K in square feet.

That sounds about right... my bill runs higher but I have two central air units, 4 fridges and an older model drop freezer as well as a number of other things in abnormal multitude that would push my usage up beyond the norm.

I don't want to give them control of my comfort. If I want to swelter in order to reduce my electric bill, I'll adjust the thermostat myself.

 

[ICit]

That sounds about right... my bill runs higher but I have two central air units, 4 fridges and an older model drop freezer as well as a number of other things in abnormal multitude that would push my usage up beyond the norm.

I don't want to give them control of my comfort. If I want to swelter in order to reduce my electric bill, I'll adjust the thermostat myself.

 

[sanchezf]

That sounds about right... my bill runs higher but I have two central air units, 4 fridges and an older model drop freezer as well as a number of other things in abnormal multitude that would push my usage up beyond the norm.

I don't want to give them control of my comfort. If I want to swelter in order to reduce my electric bill, I'll adjust the thermostat myself.

I have all of those things too plus a husband that pushes my usage up.

 

[GWguy]

My a/c is undersized as it is, and I have the thermostat set to 78-80* (downstairs is 73*, comfortable. Last month's bill was under $200. I'm going to have to review that opt-out info and send it in.