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A Small Switch

Direct Load Control = Savings on Your Summer Electric Bill
A Fact Sheet from the
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor


If you are a Duke Energy or IPL customer, and your home has a central air conditioning unit, you may be able to save some money on your summer electric bill by signing up for a direct load control (DLC) program. Customers who participate receive bill credits while helping the utility make sure it has enough power to serve all its customers on very hot days.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) strongly encourages consumers to sign up for these programs. Specifics vary among utilities but the programs generally work the following way:

  • Your electric utility installs a small radio-controlled switch on your central air conditioning unit at no cost to you. (With some programs, switches can also be placed on electric water heaters.)
  • The switch allows the utility to turn off or “cycle” numerous appliances for brief periods during peak demand times (particularly on days when temperatures climb above 90 degrees).
  • Direct load control switches are generally used only a few times during the summer, usually on extremely hot days; it is very unlikely they would be used on weekends, holidays or at night.
  • If your air conditioner is cycled, the cooling unit will be turned off for only a limited period of time resulting in little or no discomfort. The fan will continue to operate.
  • By cycling a large enough number of units, the utility can better control the total amount of electricity flowing throughout its system. This helps utilities prevent blackouts and helps keep rates down by reducing the need to buy expensive power on the wholesale market and delaying the need to build new power plants.
  • These programs are voluntary.
  • If you take part and are served by an investor-owned utility, you’ll receive a bill credit regardless of whether your air conditioner is cycled or not.

The following Indiana utilities currently offer these programs:

Duke Energy

  • Duke Energy’s Power Manager is available to residential customers who live in areas where commercial paging is available.
  • This program offers a one-time installation credit, followed by additional credits for each time the customer’s air conditioner is cycled (with a specified minimum amount for the additional credits regardless of whether the unit is cycled). Amounts for additional credits vary by cycling time and current power costs.
  • Power Manager offers two options: a lower-use option (installation credit of $25 plus a $5 minimum on additional annual credits) and a higher-use option ($35 installation credit plus an $8 minimum on additional annual credits). The minimum annual credits apply regardless of whether a customer’s switch is used.
  • Customers can ask to be exempt from cycling up to one day per month (from May through September) with at least 24 hours notice.
  • For more information or to enroll, call the utility toll-free at 1-877-392-4848. Duke Energy Indiana customers can also call 1-800-832-3169 to hear recorded information about specific cycling events.

Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL)

  • IPL’s CoolCents program offers a $5 monthly bill credit from June through September, for residential customers with switches installed on central air conditioners.
  • CoolCents is now available for commercial customers as well.
  • Customers can enroll in CoolCents by calling IPL toll-free at 1-866-908-4915.

Rural Electric Membership Cooperatives (REMCs)

  • Most Indiana REMCs have offered these programs. If you are an REMC member, contact your local utility to learn more.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has discontinued its AC Cycling program. Indiana Michigan Power's (I&M's) Peak Reduction Program and Vectren's Summer Cycler program are no longer accepting new sign-ups.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents utility consumer interests before state and federal utility regulatory bodies. To learn more, visit www.IN.gov/OUCC.

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South 
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Toll-free: 1-888-441-2494
Voice/TDD: (317) 232-2494
Fax: (317) 232-5923

Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
Twitter: @IndianaOUCC
Facebook: IndianaOUCC

(12/19)

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