Energy Savings Program Leaves Customers Gasping For Air

Many Southern California Edison customers are angry about a summer discount program on air conditioning.

Those who sign up for it agree to give SCE the authority to turn off the customer’s air conditioning for various reasons, including weather, or so it can reduce the electrical load in SCE’s system.

It’s the customers choice, said a SCE representative. Maximum savings versus maximum comfort.

Choosing maximum savings means the customer’s air conditioning could be turned off continuously for up to six hours, she said.

“It blew hot air, and then on Thursday the same thing happened,” said Martha Benzler, an upset Rancho Mirage customer.

The customer can also choose between having this to happen an unlimited or limited amount of times.

“Unlimited” saves the customer up to $200 for the duration of the 4-month program.

Choosing a “limited” amount of interruptions would save the customer up to $100.

“It’s the hottest time of the day, and they turn it off,” said Benzler.

“Not at 12 a.m., or at 8 a.m.,” she said. “No, they turn it off at 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. in the afternoon.”

Maximum comfort means the customer could lose power 15 out of every 30 minutes for up to six hours.

This results in savings ranging between $25 to $50 depending on whether the customer chooses the unlimited or limited interruptions options.

“It doesn’t give us any incentives,” said Benzler. “It gives them all of the incentives, and I still have to pay a regular electric bill.”

Benzler dropped out of the program on Friday, and she claims the program didn’t save her any money.