Take A Load Off
(water heaters & air conditioners)
What’s Take A Load Off?
Take A Load Off (TALO) participants receive a free direct load control device on their water heater and/or air conditioner. The direct load control device will reduce participants’ demand for electricity during peak energy times. The amount of electricity saved by turning off just one water heater element or one air condition unit is relatively small; however, thousands of TALO participants could result in significant energy reduction during peak usage times. As a public power company, when Johnson City Power Board (JCPB) reduces our wholesale energy costs we are able to pass those savings on to you.
How does TALO work – water heaters?
As an example, assume that most JCPB customers use hot water early in the morning. Once water is used, the water heater fills with cool water and elements heat the water for the next use. However, after morning showers, many of us will not need additional hot water again for several hours. It is during this time that JCPB may activate the TALO water heater switch to postpone heating the water for a brief time.
How does TALO work – air conditioners?
As with the water heater device, the direct load control device is installed in close proximity to the air condition unit (i.e. installed at the outdoor unit). During extreme hot temperatures in summer months, the demand for electricity is very high. In an effort to minimize the demand for electricity, the air condition compressors will be cycled off for a minimum of six minutes and maximum no more than eight minutes, no more than two occurrences per hour. Although the compressor is cycled off, the fan unit will continue to run and the customer should feel no discomfort or notice any significant difference in room temperature.
How do I know if I qualify as a TALO participant?
In order to qualify to participate in the program, you must be the owner of the home/condo unit and your name must be on the electric account. In addition, the minimum water heater tank size should be 40 gallons and the minimum air condition unit size should be two ton. *Window air condition units DO NOT qualify. Other exclusions may apply.
What’s in it for me?
Each qualifying customer will receive a one-time $50 TALO incentive check for each load control device installed on any qualifying water heater and/or air condition unit. Install a load control device on both your water heater and air condition unit to receive a one-time $100 incentive check. (No limit per dwelling.) It’s that easy!
Can I participate if I live in an apartment or rent?
Apartments are considered “multi-family” units. The one-time monetary incentive for a multi-family residence is $25 for each load control device installed on any qualifying water heater and/or air condition unit. Furthermore, the one-time incentive payout is payable to the owner of the multi-family complex.
Diagram of how the “Smart Grid” works.
Although there are varying definitions of what Smart Grid really means, we will use the term in the context of two-way communications between the JCPB office and each meter served by our distribution system. This technology will improve our operational efficiency, enhance our outage management capabilities, and ultimately provide customers with the tools necessary to better control their energy costs and consumption. Note the acronyms and terms listed below.
Automated Meter Reading (AMR): Meters transmit data wirelessly via radio frequency to a data collection device; readings must be gathered within a limited range of the meter; one-way communication from meter to a data collection device.
Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI): Utilizes advanced technology to create a communication network between a utility and its meters; two-way communications between utility and meters. The meters we will deploy communicate by relaying information wirelessly from one meter to the next. This allows for real-time data collection, asset monitoring and asset control; forms basis for smart grid.
Direct Load Control (DLC) Device: Actual device that connects to water heaters or air condition units. Device allows remote switching of the appliance. Switching is for very minimal periods of time and the customer generally does not experience any discomfort. This remote switching is in an effort to reduce large energy demands during system peaks.
Fiber Optic Backbone: The JCPB has selected fiber-optic cables as the preferred media to transmit (backhaul) data from our substations to our headquarters. One meter in fifty will be fitted with a shark fin shaped antenna which will boost the signal to transmit data and commands to and from receivers located along our fiber-optic backbone. Fiber-optics allows for high rates of data transfer and will remain viable well into the future as our community’s and company’s needs continue to advance.
Time of Use Rates: This describes a new rate structure being implemented by the TVA wherein electricity rates will vary according to its relative cost during a given time of day. This will resemble the cell phone rate structure many of us have come to know which allows for reduced rates on calls made during “off-peak” hours.
How do I sign up?
Customers may sign up for the Take A Load Off Program via this website tentatively beginning summer 2011. More sign-up information to follow. For additional information about TALO call 952-5142.
Terms of TALO Agreement
Click HERE for a PDF copy of the Terms of Agreement for the TALO Program.
