‘Energy-saving’ Colorado residents locked out of thermostats

Thousands of Colorado residents last week who had opted-in to an “energy-saving” plan suddenly found their “smart thermostats” locked at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, reports ABC News affiliate Denver7. 

Customers of Xcel Energy who sign up for the electric company’s AC Rewards program are promised “a convenient, energy-saving lifestyle with long-term benefits.” Participants receive a one-time $100 credit on their bill upon enrollment, a $50 rebate at the company’s store and a $25 annual payout. 

“By participating in AC Rewards, adjustments are made to your smart thermostat during the hottest summer days,” explains the energy company on its website. “When the demand for electricity is the highest, you'll help us manage these peaks and ease the strain on the electrical grid. You'll be cut back on the time your central air works to cool your home with control events.” 

These “control events,” says Xcel Energy, can occur at any time, but participants can opt out of them manually if they choose. However, “On rare occasions, system emergencies may cause a control event that cannot be overridden.” 

That “system emergency” reportedly happened on Tuesday, the first time in the program’s six-year history. Despite the temperature climbing into the 90s, an unexpected outage in Pueblo combined with heavy air conditioning usage led to the company locking 22,000 out of their thermostats at 78 degrees. 

“It’s a voluntary program. Let’s remember that this is something that customers choose to be a part of based on the incentives,” Xcel Vice-President of Customer Solutions Emmett Romine told Denver7. “So, it helps everybody for people to participate in these programs. It is a bit uncomfortable for a short period of time, but it’s very, very helpful.”  

The outlet noted that one Xcel customer, Tony Talarico, says “he did not sign up to have this much control taken away.” 

“To me, an emergency means there is, you know, life, limb, or, you know, some other danger out there — some, you know, massive wildfires," Talarico said. "Even if it's a once-in-a-blue-moon situation, it just doesn't sit right with us to not be able to control our own thermostat in our house." 

The environment-centric company, which promises to provide clean energy with zero carbon emissions by 2050, includes electric vehicles (EVs) as an integral part of its fight against “climate change”. Xcel Energy dedicates an entire section on its website to EVs, including a prominent subsection on “Incentives”.  

The Incentives page prompts the visitor to “Discover EV Purchase and Lease Incentives, Rebates, & Credits. You can lower the upfront cost of an EV with potential tax incentives, credits and special rebates for Xcel Energy customers.” 

But the only incentive displayed on the page is a $7,500 tax credit for EV owners promised in Joe Biden’s recent Inflation Reduction Act. However, as reported by America’s Frontline News, EV owners will rarely qualify for that credit, which Xcel Energy duly notes. 

“Due to recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, many EVs and [Plug-in Hybrid EVs] no longer qualify for a federal tax incentive. This incentive may return in 2023 for select vehicles.”