When everyone uses power at the same time, it creates demand peaks. The peaks, which usually take place on the coldest days and hottest afternoons of a month depending on the season, are costly and can lead to higher electric bills. The co-op’s U-Shift, U-$ave program interrupts the use of electric water heaters, cooling systems, separate panels (which may have heating and cooling systems), and EV chargers connected, by delaying use of these devices until peak demands subside.
Your Questions Answered
The U-Shift, U-$ave program benefits the member and the cooperative, but it can raise a lot of questions. See the most frequently asked questions and answers below.
The amount of electricity that our members collectively use varies during the year -- from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, month-to-month. But there are certain times when electricity usage spikes when all members collectively begin to use more power at the same time. These high use periods are called “peaks.”
Times can and will vary depending on weather and load conditions. In normal conditions, the U-Shift program can control for up to 12 hours in any 24-hour period, typically excluding weekends and major holidays. In extreme circumstances, the co-op may need to control during weekends or holidays to prevent widespread outages.
Depending on the type of U-Shift control a member has they can expect the co-op to go into control up to 10 days out of the month, more if the temperatures are extreme for the time of year. However, the average it is about 5 days a month.
U-Shift switches are activated based on times of projected peak demand and may vary, especially depending on the weather. Typically, winter interruption (October -March) can occur from 7 a.m.-noon. and then again from 5-9 p.m. Summer shifting periods (April- September) are typical from 1-7 p.m. On occasion, control can occur outside of these windows. Barring a power emergency, Adams does not shift use on weekends or major holidays.
The demand-response units (DRUs) used for each application are similar but operate differently due to how they are programmed. Water heater DRU’s remain off for the full amount of time during a control period. Air Conditioning DRU’s will cycle on and off during a control period (approximately 50% on and 50% off) to allow for moderate cooling to occur.
Electric tankless water heaters cannot be interrupted as part of the co-op’s U-Shift program. Adams Electric only recommends the use of natural gas or propane-fired tankless water heaters. In addition, electric tankless units may require a service upgrade to accommodate increased electrical demand.
We do not recommend this arrangement. If the timer is installed ahead of the DRU, it may have power turned off to the DRU and we can no longer communicate with the device for control or to know if it is functioning and communication is required. If the timer is installed after the DRU, the timer will lose power when we start control, which will cause the timer to lose its time setting.
Heat pump water heaters promote high efficiency and lower operating costs. The installation of a new heat pump water heater or add-on unit with a controlled U-Shift switch qualifies for a one-time co-op rebate and a reduced monthly bill credit, currently $7.50 a month.
Yes, and no. If you are going to be away for more than a month, we request that you call in so we can note the account accordingly. You will not receive any credit for the months the device is not controlled.
The programs of U-Shift are free and voluntary to co-op members as an effort to help control energy costs for all cooperative members. We encourage you to stay on the program for at least one year from initiation, because of the incurred costs to install the equipment at a member’s home. Beyond that, you can request to leave the program (and forfeit your program bill credits or rate incentive) at any time. Depending on the type of U-Shift panel the member has installed the member may need to coordinate with the co-op and/or their electrician to have some items rewired.
The co-op attempts to post alerts on the co-op’s Facebook page (facebook.com/adamsec) at the start of a estimated shifting period. Members can also sign up to receive email or texts alerts when a shifting period is predicted. Notification sign up is through your SmartHub account. If the U-Shift switch on your electric water heater shows an amber light, this means a U-Shift period has been initiated. The green light on the DRU switch should always be lit, which is just an indication the device has power. The U-Shift panel meter does not have indicator lights, it will indicate ON (closed) or OFF (open) as it cycles through its program display.
We go into control to manage electricity consumption during peak periods or when generation and transmission resources are in high demand. This helps to stabilize the grid, lower costs for the co-op and its members, and improve system reliability for all members.
Reducing energy use during peak periods helps hold down power costs, delays the need for new power plants, and keeps energy costs lower for everyone.
The decisions on what can be wired into a U-Shift panel is always the choice of the homeowner, however the co-op does have suggestions on what it recommends to and not to control. Based on your set-up and equipment, the co-op will determine the type of metering required.
We do a daily “ping” test for our DRU’s to verify communication is still reaching the controlled device. U-Shift meters are read daily. Power must remain on for us to perform these functions. If these communication reports fail, we call the members to help troubleshoot why we can’t communicate properly.
$205.85 for a DRU and $198.35 for a meter. These items were purchased by the co-op and even after installation are still the property of Adams Electric. They are basically on loan to the member free of charge as a benefit for participating in the program. This equipment must be returned to the co-op if your program status changes.
This depends on the number of devices being powered by the U-Shift meter or U-Shift panel. With this rate, the member saves approximately 40% on the energy supply charges for usage through the U-Shift panel.
We do not send a notification when interruption periods are extended or ending. Please visit the co-op’s Facebook pages for predicted times or extension notices
It’s not as much about how much energy you use, but when you use it. Even turning off lights and waiting until after dark to do laundry and dishes can make an impact. Adjusting a thermostat, cooking on the barbeque grill and running the dishwasher over night all help with curbing energy peaks if you do these things at the right time of day.
These are the same program, just varying names as the program has grown and developed over the years. Much like having a DRU (demand response unit) in your home is the same as having a U-Shift switch.
The lights on a water heater indicate their operational status, with normal patterns signaling it's working correctly, while abnormal or red lights often point to a problem. Common issues include a faulty thermostat, a pilot light issue, a leak, or an empty tank, and the specific meaning of the light's color or flash pattern is usually detailed on the control valve or in the equipment’s owner's manual.
Each new month resets the peak demand for our billing, so we have to use the system to control the peak during mild conditions (we call these the shoulder months — typically April/May/Sep/Oct)
When you purchase a house and call the co-op to set up service, a member services representative should inform you if there is a U-Shift device in the home. Next, you can look for the device to be connected close to your whole house electric panel and/or water heater, and/or outdoor A/C unit. A certified electrician could review your wiring set up to explain the items wired into your U-Shift panel and may be able to assist you with moving items in or out of the panel. (This is the member’s cost and responsibility.)
Any account that has a U-Shift switch on their electric water heater will get the full $15 monthly credit on their account for each active switch. A heat pump water heater switch is $7.50. If an account has an AC switch it will get the $15 seasonal credit on the bills you receive in July, August, September, and October.