your homes thermostat... who is in kontrol?

[Mike Mercury]

A utility company locked thousands of customers out of their smart thermostats in Colorado

Xcel customers saved money by allowing the remote control option, but there’s a catch

Thousands of Colorado residents found themselves locked out of their smart thermostats during sweltering temperatures last week in an effort to prevent power demand from overwhelming the grid.

About 22,000 Xcel customers lost control of their smart thermostats for hours on August 30th, Denver7 News reports. That led to backlash on social media as some people said the temperatures inside their homes reached as high as 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor temperatures climbed into the 90s that day across parts of Colorado as much of the western US grappled with sweltering heat.

All of the customers affected had enrolled in an energy-saving program, called AC Rewards, that’s meant to ease the strain on the power grid during heatwaves. Xcel can adjust those customers’ smart thermostats when demand gets so high that there might not be enough supply to meet it. Xcel offers a one-time $100 credit on electricity bills upon signing up, and $25 a year afterward for participation.

When the utility adjusts a customer’s thermostat, the customer typically has the option to opt-out. But, “On rare occasions, system emergencies may cause a control event that cannot be overridden,” the company says on its website.

Last week was the first time Xcel barred customers from overriding their adjustments in the six years since the program started, according to Denver7. High temperatures, soaring power demand for air conditioners, and an unexpected outage all contributed to last week’s energy emergency, Xcel vice president Emmett Romine told Denver7. Xcel did not immediately respond to a press inquiry from The Verge.




https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/67532514_10156672670537061_8701276164540334080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=E9GwYJyKzxcAX-nBNtk&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=00_AT-GDNyed_Sz3omX0Za31g79eZ3HjIlDx1lVopjnm6hPaQ&oe=633D1BB0

[Steve_R]

This is the critical part of what you posted: All of the customers affected had enrolled in an energy-saving program... Those customers who voluntarily enrolled knew this could happen, but they happily took the $100 the utility company gave them to enroll, then they bitch when the inevitable happens. Stupid people are stupid.

[bsmith]

This is the critical part of what you posted: Those customers who voluntarily enrolled knew this could happen, but they happily took the $100 the utility company gave them to enroll, then they bitch when the inevitable happens. Stupid people are stupid.

I have a Nest and signed up with the utility for the rebates.
It didn't take long to realize that it was a mistake.
Eveytime they do an "Energy Rush Hour", I override it and lose the rebates. :lol:

FWIW, our local provider says that "you always have control" in their literature, and it wouldn't shock me if the one in Colorado made the same claims.

[sublime1996525]

I am. Didn't fall for that crap.

[Onebadcad]

Moved into my current home in DEC 2020.
Was cold as hell the first week, for FL that is like below 45 degrees.
Damn heat would not come on, so I look at upstairs air handler, it had an FPL box next to it that was brown-out shit,,, previous owner signed up for it.
I call FPL and told them to come get their shit, as I would not continue in program.
They advised would take 10 days, I ripped it out after the phone call.
Problem solved!!

[6spdC6]

My thermostat, I paid for it and it did not come from no power company. If I was forced into a outside controllable thermostat, jumper wires are easy to hook up.

Got to be self sufficient up here in the boonies. Have Propane hot air heat in the winter and a decent air system for the summer months. Used the AC for about a week this year. That was 2 days more than last year, it was unusually hot this year. Have a whole house propane generator.

[Mike Mercury]

Have a whole house propane generator.

:thumbs:

[Steve_R]

FWIW, our local provider says that "you always have control" in their literature, and it wouldn't shock me if the one in Colorado made the same claims.

Only for idiots that didn't read everything. When the utility adjusts a customer’s thermostat, the customer typically has the option to opt-out. But, “On rare occasions, system emergencies may cause a control event that cannot be overridden,” the company says on its website.

Last week was the first time Xcel barred customers from overriding their adjustments in the six years since the program started, according to Denver7. High temperatures, soaring power demand for air conditioners, and an unexpected outage all contributed to last week’s energy emergency...

The utility company made it crystal clear that in the event of an "energy emergency" (which the utility declares BTW) they will take control and you CAN'T override it - but you can whine about something you signed up for and got paid for.

[CurtP]

I have a Nest and signed up with the utility for the rebates.
It didn't take long to realize that it was a mistake.
Eveytime they do an "Energy Rush Hour", I override it and lose the rebates. :lol:
Replace it with a Ecobee, but leave the Nest connected to your network for them to "control" :D

[DJ_Critterus]

I don't like people I know inside my home, much less some big brother-esque corporation. They can keep their $100 and stay the hell out of my home

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81gKhw7t4cL._AC_SS450_.jpg

[Mike Mercury]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1334/1243/products/DD556204.jpg?v=1578610489

[Aerovette]

I am. No one controls my thermostat except me and if it was ever hijacked, one or 2 small wires will resolve the issue very quickly.

[LisaJohn]

We got a new thermostat with the new hvac. We did not get the “Wi-Fi” model.

[Tikiman]

I am in control of two of them. My wife, who cannot sleep unless the room is cold enough to hang meat, controls the upstairs thermostat.

[GTOguy]

This is the critical part of what you posted: Those customers who voluntarily enrolled knew this could happen, but they happily took the $100 the utility company gave them to enroll, then they bitch when the inevitable happens. Stupid people are stupid.
As much as I hate to agree with anything Steve_R has to say, this is absolutely correct. Most people will jump at the chance for instant gratification or cheap bling instead of looking at the big picture and choosing more wisely.

I control my own, and run the AC at 80 and the heat at 66. Today is going to be 113 to 115.

Last month was nowhere near as hot, and my electric bill was $620. In CA, land of fruits and nuts, I pay 49 cents per KWH for electricity, and we just hit the one week mark of requested 'no charging of EV's'. Has anybody seen Yadkin???

[Frankie the Fink]

Same here, wife can't sleep unless her bedroom is suitable for polar bears.

The difference between a post-menopausal woman and a terroist is that you can negotiate with a terrorist.

[DJ_Critterus]

I am. No one controls my thermostat except me and if it was ever hijacked, one or 2 small wires will resolve the issue very quickly.

Do you use the engine stand or the engine hoist for that wiring job?

[Mike Mercury]

The difference between a post-menopausal women and a terroist is that you can negotiate with a terrorist.

:rofl: :funnier: :rofl:

[Aerovette]

Do you use the engine stand or the engine hoist for that wiring job?

The wiring is small enough that I can usually just use a sawhorse...or two.

[Mick]

As much as I hate to agree with anything Steve_R has to say, this is absolutely correct. Most people will jump at the chance for instant gratification or cheap bling instead of looking at the big picture and choosing more wisely.

I control my own, and run the AC at 80 and the heat at 66. Today is going to be 113 to 115.

Last month was nowhere near as hot, and my electric bill was $620. In CA, land of fruits and nuts, I pay 49 cents per KWH for electricity, and we just hit the one week mark of requested 'no charging of EV's'. Has anybody seen Yadkin???

Slightly more aggressive than me. The AC is set at 77 this year, was 78 in the past but my wife asked me to set it a little lower for sleeping. I only turn the system on when the temperature outside gets above about 85. I find 83-84 degrees to be comfortable. This was one of the hottest summers I can remember, and I doubt I ran the AC more than maybe 25-30 days.

Winter I set it to 66, but usually turn the system off when my wife leaves for work. I turn it back on about an hour before she gets home, saves a few bucks on the gas bill. :shrug:

[MadInNc]

Have 2 ecobee thermostats. They informed my electric company who continue to spam me. NFW am I ever giving the idiots control. For the ~$100 per thermo it’s not work it and the demand on equipment would tax it I fear as lower unit is over 20 yrs old. Keep it 74 down and 77 upstairs. All balanced and fine w me.

Same crap happened in Texas as in Colorado wher ~20k people were locked out when it was 110f.

Greta would be happy

[Mike Mercury]

Greta would be happy

https://i.imgflip.com/3bjlls.jpg

[ThePirate]

Replace it with a Ecobee, but leave the Nest connected to your network for them to "control" :D


Got an AC guy coming out the afternoon. 6 month old Carrier with Ecobee thermostat. Stat has gone off the rails. House set at 72 for sleeping was 82 yesterday. Set at 78 for the day and got 72 *. It has become possessed and does its own thing regardless of the setting. Some times it gets it correct. What ever happened to the set to heat and set to cool stats? The "smart" thermostats usually are not.

[CurtP]

Got an AC guy coming out the afternoon. 6 month old Carrier with Ecobee thermostat. Stat has gone off the rails. House set at 72 for sleeping was 82 yesterday. Set at 78 for the day and got 72 *. It has become possessed and does its own thing regardless of the setting. Some times it gets it correct. What ever happened to the set to heat and set to cool stats? The "smart" thermostats usually are not.
It was just the first one that came to mind. Could be any thermostat, even another Nest :shrug:

[Aerovette]

Replace it with a Ecobee, but leave the Nest connected to your network for them to "control" :D

I like this idea. :yesnod:

[ThePirate]

It turns out (hopefully) that the drain line was partially plugged up. The water in the line would back up and trip the "float" shutting the system off. The water would slowly drain out of the line allowing the float to reset and the system started up by itself. It takes the AC system about 1 hour per the repairman to restart itself. He blew out the line and the system has worked since he left. I knew that when the line gets clogged the system will shut off but didn't know about the system restarting itself when the float reset, or that the line can drain itself when the water slowly leaves the line. Live and learn.

[Aerovette]

It turns out (hopefully) that the drain line was partially plugged up. The water in the line would back up and trip the "float" shutting the system off. The water would slowly drain out of the line allowing the float to reset and the system started up by itself. It takes the AC system about 1 hour per the repairman to restart itself. He blew out the line and the system has worked since he left. I knew that when the line gets clogged the system will shut off but didn't know about the system restarting itself when the float reset, or that the line can drain itself when the water slowly leaves the line. Live and learn.

This explains being hotter than the t-stat setting, but not cooler.

Set at 78 for the day and got 72 *

[ThePirate]

This explains being hotter than the t-stat setting, but not cooler.


The problem was when the house got hotter and the float had stopped the cooling. We then set the thermo way down. When the float allowed the AC to resume it got cooler - way cooler. It seems the AC was acting as it should, except for the float, which kept shutting the system down, the house getting hot, and the system restarting when the water slowly left the drain line, and restarting - many times each day. We waited 3 days before getting system looked at. The 2 main problems were the system shutting down and starting up many times a day while we were trying to adjust the thermo up and down. After drain line has been cleared, the AC system is working the way it should.:hurray:

[Aerovette]

Setting the thermostat at 78 and the temperature going to 72 is not a float switch related issue.

Glad it is working though.

[mrvette]

The problem was when the house got hotter and the float had stopped the cooling. We then set the thermo way down. When the float allowed the AC to resume it got cooler - way cooler. It seems the AC was acting as it should, except for the float, which kept shutting the system down, the house getting hot, and the system restarting when the water slowly left the drain line, and restarting - many times each day. We waited 3 days before getting system looked at. The 2 main problems were the system shutting down and starting up many times a day while we were trying to adjust the thermo up and down. After drain line has been cleared, the AC system is working the way it should.:hurray:

Drain line off MY HVAC unit is a 3/4 inch garden hose going into a 1.5 inch trap....and after ten years I had to blow it all out.....poor drain line, was built 50 years ago for a washing machine, NOW it has ice maker, disposal, kitchen sink, washer, and HVAC condensate drip to deal with.....and I have a rubber hose/clamps to the top of the drain line/vent to roof, and so I run a long drain cleaning line down it maybe once a year or so.....:seasix::issues:

[Egnalf]

This explains being hotter than the t-stat setting, but not cooler.

Setting the thermostat at 78 and the temperature going to 72 is not a float switch related issue.

Glad it is working though.

Well, it could be if there is a humidity control loop as in modern/fanct themrostats, or an external humidistat, in which case a call for dehumidification over rides setpoint in some cases. being off a while, humidity creeps in, then unit runs for a good long time to dry things out.


P.S.--jumping R to (Y and G) via a toggle switch lets you be the thermostat and run it manually, regardless of whatever shithead controls they put on there.

[DJ_Critterus]

Well, it could be if there is a humidity control loop as in modern/fanct themrostats, or an external humidistat, in which case a call for dehumidification over rides setpoint in some cases. being off a while, humidity creeps in, then unit runs for a good long time to dry things out.


P.S.--jumping R to (Y and G) via a toggle switch lets you be the thermostat and run it manually, regardless of whatever shithead controls they put on there.

Better explain the wiring again for Aero. Not sure he is capable of understanding it.

[Aerovette]

Better explain the wiring again for Aero. Not sure he is capable of understanding it.

Nope. I think I've got it.

https://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0810-3119-1735_Cartoon_of_a_Man_Holding_a_Faulty_Electical_Cord_clipart_image.jpg

Oops

[Burro (He/Haw)]

I live alone, so nobody touches my thermostat but me. In the summer months *when* I turn my AC on I keep at at 75 degrees. During the winter I'll typically keep it set at 72-ish.

My ex used to complain about the heat in the winter; "Put some damn cloths on and we don't have to have the heat so high." She was right of course but I work full time and if I wanna come home after work and walk around in a wife beater and shorts I'm going to. I'll pay the additions $$ to NOT need a gay sweater or some stupid shit to keep warm in my own home.

[DJ_Critterus]

Nope. I think I've got it.

https://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0810-3119-1735_Cartoon_of_a_Man_Holding_a_Faulty_Electical_Cord_clipart_image.jpg

Oops

You're gonna need a better wiring diagram.

[Aerovette]

You're gonna need a better wiring diagram.

No way. I managed to do all this without any stinkin' diagram.

https://cdn-epeck.nitrocdn.com/myhZXgJGeOCyGVEnEpmNSrtXtubAUeVL/assets/static/optimized/rev-5ab0d42/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/complex-wiring.jpg

[DJ_Critterus]

No way. I managed to do all this without any stinkin' diagram.

https://cdn-epeck.nitrocdn.com/myhZXgJGeOCyGVEnEpmNSrtXtubAUeVL/assets/static/optimized/rev-5ab0d42/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/complex-wiring.jpg

You must have 1K engine stands for that kinda work.

[Bill]

No way. I managed to do all this without any stinkin' diagram.

https://cdn-epeck.nitrocdn.com/myhZXgJGeOCyGVEnEpmNSrtXtubAUeVL/assets/static/optimized/rev-5ab0d42/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/complex-wiring.jpg

Where were you when the castaways needed to make a phone call when the trans-Pacific phone cable washed ashore?



https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/large_landscape/183/459728.jpg

[Aerovette]

Where were you when the castaways needed to make a phone call when the trans-Pacific phone cable washed ashore?



I was there.



Didn't work, did it?

[Bill]

I was there.



Didn't work, did it?


:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::breathe::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Mick]

No way. I managed to do all this without any stinkin' diagram.

https://cdn-epeck.nitrocdn.com/myhZXgJGeOCyGVEnEpmNSrtXtubAUeVL/assets/static/optimized/rev-5ab0d42/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/complex-wiring.jpg

The red wire about 1/4 of the way down the picture, and about 2/3 of the way from the left, is misrouted. You should get on that before it causes a problem.

You're welcome.

[Aerovette]

The red wire about 1/4 of the way down the picture, and about 2/3 of the way from the left, is misrouted. You should get on that before it causes a problem.

You're welcome.

I see that now. So obvious. :ulan:

[DJ_Critterus]

I see that now. So obvious. :ulan:

Better break out the engine stand again....