A/C Cool Credit is an easy way to earn a monthly bill credit during the summer while helping keep energy reliable when demand is highest.
On a few select weekday afternoons, when energy use peaks or when the system needs support, your air conditioner or smart thermostat will briefly adjust to reduce strain on the system. You can participate in one of two simple ways:
- A/C Cycling – Idaho Power cycles your central air conditioning on and off using a device installed by a program professional.
- Smart Thermostat Demand Response – Your smart thermostat automatically adjusts settings to shift some energy use away from peak hours.
Your participation in A/C Cool Credit helps ensure reliable energy and the wise use of our natural resources, and you’ll earn a $5 a month credit on your summer energy bills.
When energy demand is high and we need to activate A/C Cool Credit, Idaho Power will call what’s known as an “event.” Events occur on select summer weekdays, typically in the late afternoon or evening, and not on weekends or holidays. Each event will be no longer than four hours. During an event, participating A/C units or smart thermostats make small, temporary adjustments to help reduce strain on the system. In the unlikely case of a system emergency, Idaho Power may cycle A/Cs for longer periods to help maintain overall service reliability.
The program is active June 15 to Sept. 15. Unless you decide to end your enrollment, you’ll be included in the program each summer, as long as you live at your current residence.
You may quit the program at any time, but the credit will only apply to those full months you participated.
| A/C Cycling Option | Smart Thermostat Option | |
| Enrollment Incentive | None | $50 for new Smart Thermostat customers, who have not participated in the A/C Cycling option within the last 12 months |
| Participation Credits | $5/month on your July, Aug., Sept. and Oct. bills | $5/month on your July, Aug., Sept., and Oct. bills. Customer must participate in at least 50% of demand response hours for each month to qualify for the monthly credit. Customers that receive the $50 enrollment incentive will be eligible to receive the monthly bill credits after participating in the program for 12 months. |
| Qualifications | Residential A/C units used for a central air system or an air-source heat pump qualify. Water-source heat pumps, ductless heat pumps, two-stage units, evaporative (swamp) coolers and window units are not eligible. Units must be in good working condition and have clear and easy access. Customer’s central A/C equipment must be fully functional and comply with the National Electric Code (NEC) standards. | Residential customers with central air conditioning, or a ducted heat pump that are controlled by a qualified smart thermostat. Eligibility requires that the smart thermostat remain connected to the internet throughout program participation. |
| How Does the Program Work | When an event occurs, your AC gets a signal to increase its on/off cycling, resulting in reduced energy usage. | When an event occurs, your thermostat will automatically shift some of your A/C energy use away from peak times when energy demand is high. |
| How to Apply | Click here to enroll. You can also enroll by calling the A/C Cool Credit program at 1-866-865-COOL (2665) | If you have a smart thermostat controlling a central air conditioning, or a ducted heat pump, you’re eligible for our Smart Thermostat program. Just select your thermostat below, click, and enroll. |
Smart Thermostat Enrollment
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Smart Thermostat option work?
If a summer weather event is scheduled, your thermostat may automatically and briefly adjust to pre-cool your home right before the event. Then, during the scheduled event hours, your thermostat setting automatically adjusts up by two to four degrees. You can opt-out of the event at any time.
How does the A/C Cycling option work?
When you enroll in the A/C Cool Credit Program, a device will be installed near your A/C. The device has the ability to override the thermostat’s control of the A/C’s compressor. Your A/C cycles on and off as needed to maintain a set temperature in your home as determined by the setting on your thermostat. When we send a signal to this device, the A/C may cycle off for longer periods of time than normally cycled by the thermostat. This means the A/C will still operate during these cycling periods, but not as often. This intermittent cycling is well within the standards developed by the industry, so it is safe for your A/C and helps ensure your home stays comfortable. In addition, the system fan will continue to operate regardless of whether the compressor is on or off during a cycling event.
On extremely hot days, whether or not there is a cycling event, you may see an increase in the temperature of your home. Your comfort is extremely important to the success of this program. Previous studies found the in-home temperature increase was less than two degrees
What device will be installed for the A/C Cycling option?
The device is a light gray, weatherized plastic box measuring roughly 7 inches by 4 inches by 3.5 inches. It’s affixed to either the exterior of your house or directly outside your A/C unit. Caution is taken to ensure neither the house nor the A/C is damaged during installation or removal. A certified field technician will install, test and verify the device is operating safely with the A/C’s compressor.
It isn’t necessary to enter the house to install the device; so you don’t have to be home to have the unit installed. For that reason, we want to ensure you don’t have any locked gates, pets or vegetation that might make it difficult for contractors and employees to monitor equipment. Customers who are not present when the installation takes place will be notified the device was installed. If you have more than one A/C, a device will be installed for each unit. An amber light on the device indicates whether the unit’s compressor is currently off due to cycling.
How long does an event last?
Events will last no longer than four hours and will only run on weekdays, unless .