WHAT IS SmartAC?
SmartAC gives your air conditioner the intelligence it needs to conserve energy when demand is at its highest. PG&E will install one of two distinct SmartAC technologies at no additional charge. When energy resources approach capacity PG&E can activate these via wireless signal and temporarily reduce the power your air conditioner requires.

WHAT ARE THE SmartAC TECHNOLOGIES?
PG&E offers participants two distinct choices of SmartAC technologies: a SmartAC Programmable Communicating Thermostat or a SmartAC Switch.

A SmartAC programmable communicating thermostat is installed inside the home and will operate both the furnace and air conditioner. It can be programmed to fit your lifestyle by choosing different temperatures and settings for weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You can also program the SmartAC programmable communicating thermostat over the internet. If you go on vacation and forget to adjust your system, you simply log on and adjust your thermostat remotely! During peak demand periods in the summer, the SmartAC Thermostat will receive a radio signal from PG&E, which will incrementally adjust the temperature upward by no more than 4 degrees.

The SmartAC Switch is installed on or near the outside components of your air conditioning unit. Installation does not typically require an appointment. During peak demand periods, the SmartAC Switch will receive a radio signal from PG&E and cycle the AC off for brief periods (approximately 15 minutes out of each half hour) while your fan continues to run helping to keep you comfortable.

WHY IS SmartAC USED?
On hot summer days, when hundreds of thousands of air conditioners are used, demand for electricity is at its highest and resources approach capacity. By reducing the power air conditioners require we decrease overall need to generate more power.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
When the energy situation becomes critical, PG&E will send a signal to activate the SmartAC device(s) installed in the territory. This reduces the power required by air conditioners helping reduce the overall drain on the power system. If you choose the SmartAC switch option, your air conditioner will be cycled about ½ of what it would normally run. This is typically about 15 minutes out of every 30 minutes. During this time, the fan will continue to operate as it normally would so you should remain comfortable. If you choose the thermostat option, when SmartAC is activated, the thermostat's setting will be incrementally increased no more than 4 degrees. Events will last no more than six hours and at the end of the event, your A/C operations and thermostat settings will be returned to normal.

WHEN WILL IT BE USED?
If needed, SmartAC will be operated during system peak periods between 10am and 6pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays and weekends) on those hot summer days when the energy situation becomes critical. Events will last no longer than six hours.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
You must be a residential or small commercial customer (<200Kw) with central air conditioning. If you do rent, you must have written permission of the landlord/owner in order to participate. Residential customers must live in a single family home or detached condominium. You must not be on life support, or be a medical baseline customer. If you enroll, you must remain on the program for 12 months.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ME?
Not a penny. The equipment and installation are provided to you at no additional charge, and there is no maintenance cost for as long as you remain in the program. You will receive an appreciation check of $25 for every air conditioner that has a SmartAC device installed. The check should reach you within 4 to 6 weeks after installation.

WHAT EQUIPMENT CAN USE SmartAC?
The SmartAC program is for central air conditioners only. Customer must have standard central A/C or heat-pump to participate in the program and all A/C's at the site much receive a SmartAC device. Evaporative Coolers (Swamp Coolers), and window units are not eligible for the program.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
You help your community conserve energy when it really counts-and earn a cash reward of $25 or more.

The reduction in energy consumption provided by the SmartAC devices effectively lowers the demand for energy when resources approach capacity. This helps reduces the need to produce additional power and also:

• Helps reduce air pollution and smog. Peak periods often occur on the hottest days when the air quality is the poorest. Because we reduce demand, power plants can be used less.
• Helps maintain system stability - by reducing the pressure on power plants during critical peak demand periods power outages and interruption of service will be less likely
• Helps reduce purchases from other sources of expensive peak period electricity - thus helping to keep power costs down.

WHAT IF I BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE?
Most participants don't notice when the when SmartAC is activated - in a recent survey, only 6% reported a change in temperature during activation. If you do become uncomfortable during an event, you can opt-out for the day by going online to manage your SmartAC device or by calling our toll free number (866-908-4916). Your A/C operations and thermostat settings will be returned to their pre-event condition.