Frequently Asked Questions
- When there is an especially high energy demand, such as peak usage on select summer days, this is a conservation period. On those days, we may need to curtail energy usage. In any given year, we cannot predict how many conservation periods we will have. But we know that these periods will last no longer than four hours, and you are free to opt out of two periods per season for the load control option, with no limits on opt outs for the BYOkW option.
Load Control Option:
On those summer days, we send a signal to your thermostat to lower your central air conditioner's energy usage for a few hours. This flexibility gives us resource options to balance energy supply and demand. Once you join Power Manager for Business, should a peak usage day happen, we will reduce your AC's operation by the level you choose, either 30%, 50% or 75%. The higher the amount you choose to reduce, the more incentives you will receive.
Most businesses report that they don't notice when their air conditioner's energy use has been reduced.
Bring Your Own kW Option:
On the hottest summer days, we send you or your equipment communications to reduce usage for a few hours. This flexibility gives us resource options to balance energy supply and demand. The compensation will be $30 per average kW reduced across the event season between your actual demand and the facility baseline demand. Customers will receive a check for the incentive by mail at the end of the season.
The facility baseline demand profile will be calculated using five representative days from the 10 days prior to the event, excluding weekends, holidays or other event days. The baseline can be weather adjusted if the program determines the facility demand is weather-sensitive or if the event day is not consistent with the baseline demand profile.
Load Control Option:
- Must be a non-residential Duke Energy electric customer.
- Must have a readily available, password-protected Wi-Fi for the thermostat option.
If you lease your facility, you can enroll in Power Manager for Business, but the property owner may need to sign a Tenant Agreement Form agreeing to enrollment. Please check your lease to determine if you need a signed form to enroll.
Bring Your Own kW Option:
- Must be a non-residential Duke Energy electric customer on an eligible rate and NOT participating in another demand response program.
- Must be willing to curtail load in response to a communication via email or text either manually or through an automatic connection to the control system.
What is Power Manager for Business?
Power Manager for Business is a new, voluntary program designed for our commercial customers to help reduce heavy power use during unusually high energy demand times.
As Indiana continues to grow with more homes and businesses, the demand for energy increases, straining existing supply. Power Manager for Business works to relieve that strain when regional usage is at its highest.
How does Power Manager for Business work?
Load Control Option: When you enroll in the Load Control Option, Duke Energy will arrange for an approved contractor − at no cost to you − to install a smart Wi-Fi programmable thermostat with a secure internet portal. These devices allow us to temporarily reduce energy consumption during those unusually high energy demand times by sending a signal to cycle off and on the power to your central air conditioner compressor or electric heat pump. The process is automatic and requires no effort from you.
Also, because we understand business operations vary, the program allows you to override two events per season.
Bring Your Own kW Option: When you enroll in the Bring Your Own kW Option, you will be able to choose how you want to participate within Power Manager for Business to reduce your energy usage during those times of unusually high energy demand. You can connect your equipment to receive a signal from our control system or receive communications and make manual adjustments to your operations.
Events will not exceed a total of 40 hours for any season.
How do I select a cycle for the Load Control Option?
Most customers tend to take advantage of the higher cycling options to earn more incentive, but the choice is completely optional based on customer preference and business needs.What options and incentives do I get for participating in the Load Control Option?
What options and incentives do I get for participating in the Bring Your Own kW Option?
With the Bring Your Own kW Option, you may choose how your equipment participates. We send you equipment communications to reduce usage for a few hours. For your participation, you will receive an incentive of $30 per average kW reduced across the event season. Customers will receive a check for the incentive by mail at the end of the season.
Will it cost me anything to participate?
No. Participation is completely free and there are no installation or maintenance charges. In cases of issues or questions, 24/7 customer support, which may even include a site visit from one of our technicians, is also provided at no cost to you.
When will I see the Power Manager for Business credit?
- Load Control Option: You will receive an annual bill credit for each participating Power Manager for Business device installed at your facility in accordance with the cycling level you choose at enrollment. You will receive your first credit on your bill within one to two billing cycles after installation and testing of the Power Manager for Business device at your facility. Each year you participate, you will receive an annual credit on the anniversary date of the first credit issued.
- Bring Your Own kW Option: You will receive your credit via check in November each year.
Do I get more incentives if I sign up more than one air conditioner?
Yes. You will receive one bill credit for each Power Manager for Business device installed at your facility based on the chosen cycling level. If your facility has more than one air conditioning unit, all units used for human comfort must be enrolled in the program to receive the bill credits.
If after joining, I have a new central air conditioning system installed at my facility, what should I do?
Upon installation of your new equipment, please call us at 844.335.9184. We will arrange to have your Power Manager for Business technology reconfigured for your new air conditioner. There is no charge for this service.
Will Power Manager for Business reduce my facility's electric bill?
Power Manager for Business conservation events shift energy consumption from periods of highest demand to a different time of the day. You should not see your regular energy bill change from the events.
Most importantly, Power Manager for Business will help keep power costs lower in the future by helping to reduce the need for new peaking power plants.Will interrupting my air conditioner cause it to run longer once it comes back, thus increasing my electric bill?
No, you should not see an increase in your electric bill. Overall, the air conditioner should run about the same amount of time, so your bill should remain the same.
Can I really make a difference by participating?
Yes. Power Manager for Business is an excellent example of how everyone can help create a cleaner, more reliable energy future for us all. Its success depends on the participation of many individual businesses. But when combined, the impact is greater than the sum of its parts.
Will a conservation event affect the comfort of my employees and customers?
Depending on the level of participation you choose, you may or may not notice that an Power Manager for Business conservation event is even occurring. During the course of a conservation event, the temperature in a typical facility may rise. Variables such as building insulation, shaded windows, the addition of ceiling fans and the amount of foot traffic can also affect the temperature.
How do I override a conservation event?
You may select up to two days per summer season to override the cycling of your facility’s air conditioning system or heat pump. You can do this by either (a) calling ahead to request a day that you know cycling your air conditioner would be inconvenient or (b) calling during the cycling event to return the compressor to its normal run. The phone number to call to request an override is 844.335.9184.
Remember, cycling only affects the air conditioner’s compressor; the fan will continue to run normally.
What if I request more than two overrides?
If you make more than two requests in one season you will forfeit your next annual bill credit.If I am un-enrolled in Power Manager for Business, can I re-enroll?
You can re-enroll after 12 months of being off the program.
Can I participate in Power Manager for Business if I purchase my electricity from another supplier?
In Kentucky or Indiana, you must be a Duke Energy electric retail customer. In Ohio you must be a distribution customer of Duke Energy Ohio.
Can I participate if I lease my facility?
Yes. If you lease your facility, you can enroll in Power Manager for Business, but the owner of the property may need to sign a Tenant Authorization Form agreeing that the property can be enrolled. Please check your lease to determine if you need a signed form to enroll.
I manage the business, but I don't own it. Can I enroll the facility in the program?
If you are authorized on the account, you may arrange the enrollment.
I own the property but lease it. Can I enroll it in the program?
As the property owner, you can agree to have the Power Manager for Business device installed at your property, but your tenant(s) must separately enroll in Power Manager for Business before we will install it.
I have two central air conditioning units. Can I enroll just one of them?
No. To participate in Power Manager for Business, all air conditioning units used for human comfort at the facility must be enrolled and at the same cycling level.
What happens if I want to discontinue my participation in the program?
You may withdraw from the program at any time without penalty as long as you have participated in a summer energy conservation event. Simply call 866.821.8423 to speak with an Power Manager for Business representative. If you do so, Duke Energy will not remove the smart web-programmable thermostat or outdoor switch from your facility.
Whom do I contact if I have questions or problems?
All questions can be directed to the Power Manager for Business call center at 844.335.9184.What is a smart web-programmable thermostat?
A smart web-programmable thermostat is a digital thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature settings of your facility from a smartphone, tablet or computer using the internet based on a preset schedule that you choose. The temperature may also be adjusted on the thermostat manually.
During times of peak electricity demand, your Power Manager for Business smart web-programmable thermostat will receive a signal to initiate a conservation period. The signal operates on a unique frequency and will not interfere with any other wireless devices in your facility.
How can I save energy with my web-programmable thermostat?
You can save energy by setting your thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter and to a higher temperature in the summer. The web-programmable feature allows you to make the adjustments anytime from anywhere.
How can I program my smart thermostat through the internet?
Participants in Power Manager for Business will be able to access the settings on their thermostat through the web-based program portal, either from a computer or mobile device. The thermostat is a two-way communicating device, so any changes made on the thermostat are reflected in the portal and vice versa.
How do I load Power Manager for Business on my smartphone, tablet or computer?
Power Manager for Business is not an app found in an app store. It is a web-based portal that can be saved to your smartphone, tablet or computer. To access it, simply click here. Then, with whatever device you use, you can either add the URL as your home page or save the web page as a bookmark for future reference. If additional assistance is needed, call us toll-free at 844.335.9184 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Can I change my customized settings on my facility's web-programmable thermostat?
While you can temporarily adjust your temperature settings up and down on your thermostat itself, the more advanced customized settings such as Vacation and Away modes are available to you only online through your computer or mobile device. For example, with the Vacation mode setting, you can set a specific departure and return date along with a desired temperature to coincide with the days and time you are on vacation. Similarly, with the Away feature, if you plan to be away from your facility for more than just a couple hours, you can adjust your temperature automatically to save energy while you are gone.When can I expect the Power Manager for Business device to be installed?
Generally, installation takes place within one month of your enrollment.
You can schedule the installation any time that is most convenient for you, including Saturdays.
Do I need to be at my facility for the device installation?
Yes, you must schedule an installation appointment either online or over the phone. A responsible adult over the age of 18 must be available to allow our technician entry into your facility to perform the installation.
How long will the installation take?
Installation generally takes approximately one hour for the first device and 30 minutes for each additional device. However, our technician will spend as much time as needed to answer any questions you may have about your device or Power Manager for Business.
What if there's a problem?
If you have a question about your installation or about the program, just call us toll-free at 844.335.9184 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. If there is an issue after 9 p.m. on a weekday, an after-hours technician is available for emergency calls.
What if there's a problem with my existing air conditioning equipment?
Once the technician is on site, he or she may determine that your air conditioning system either (a) has a problem that prevents installation without repairs being done first or (b) is not compatible with the thermostat being installed. If there are problems that can be repaired or remedied that would allow you to participate in the program, the technician will explain the situation and your options. You will then be able to participate once the system repairs are completed by your HVAC contractor. (Note: Our technicians are not allowed to make repairs for you.) If there are fundamental or major problems with your system, including incompatibility with the Power Manager for Business equipment, you will also be notified of the situation and what options, if any, may exist for you to participate in the program.