Trying Out CUB Energy Saver's Greenlets

Alan and I are members of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Energy Saver program, which keeps track of your electricity usage and lets you know if you've used less than you did a year ago, after implementing their suggestions. Some of these suggestions include replacing old light bulbs with CFLs, upgrading appliances to EnergyStar, turning off lights in rooms that aren't being used, etc. Despite our efforts at reducing usage, the summer heatwave here in Chicago caused our bill to go way up.

During the summer, I received an email from CUB Energy Saver asking if I'd like to participate in a "Energy Responder" pilot program to save energy. Of course! I had known about the ComEd program for their customers who have central air to reduce their usage, but since we have window units, we couldn't give take advantage of it. I learned that the CUB Energy pilot program was for people with window air conditioners, so I signed up and waited to get the required materials. Unfortunately, the materials arrived near the end of the summer, when we were using our air conditioners less. But, no matter, we can use them next summer and hopefully see a difference in our bills.

So, what does being a "Energy Responder" mean, you may ask? Here is a quick overview:

We received a package from CUB in the mail. It contained 3 "greenlets", an ethernet cable, a wireless transmitter and a plug. 

This is how the Greenlets work.You plug one into an outlet near your air conditioner and then plug the air conditioner into the Greenlet's outlet. Since we received three Greenlets, and have only two air conditioners, we used the third one for our dryer.

Then, after attaching the antenna and plug to the transmitter, you connect it to your home wireless router using the ethernet cable and plug the transmitter into the wall. When all of the lights are green, it is ready to send signals to the Greenlets to saving energy. If you look at the picture below, you will notice a black switch on the transmitter. This gives you the opportunity to "bypass" a time in which there would be restrictions on your energy usage. For instance, if you needed to dry some clothes at a certain time, but knew the Greenlet would be stopping the dryer, you would hit the switch, dry your clothes and then put it back when you were finished.

So, how do you know when the Greenlets will be reducing your energy consumption? CUB sends an email or text message letting you know of a specific peak energy use time window (about 3-4 hours) the following day. (I believe this is what ComEd does for its central air program as well.) The Greenlets will receive signals during that time window to cycle your air conditioner or prevent your other appliances that are connected to the Greenlet from turning on.

Because I received the package at the end of the summer, I never had a chance to use them with our air conditioners. However, I think one of the most beneficial aspects of the program is the email notification system. When I see the peak energy time window, I make a mental note not to use my other appliances during that time because using energy during a peak time generally is more expensive. Did the Greenlets ultimately help us save energy? I think we'll have a better idea next summer when our air conditioners will be in use. Otherwise, it just encourages my usage to shift to other non-peak times without reducing my consumption.

Feel free to tell me what you think or ask for more clarification. Would you be interested in participating or do you think it would be too inconvenient?