We’re all concerned about the rising cost of energy.

Now Bartholomew County REMC is offering you an opportunity to do something about it by participating in our Energy Management Program. The program’s aim is to help Bartholomew County REMC better manage costs, use energy wisely, reduce the need to build new power plants, and help the environment – all of which can help lessen the impact of future rate increases.

By participating, you allow Bartholomew County REMC to install a switch that we can use to remotely operate your electric water heater and central air conditioner and/or heat pump during times when demand for electricity is at its peak. These peak periods are also the times when wholesale electricity costs the most. Reducing peak demand helps reduce costs – for you and for Bartholomew County REMC.

The energy management switch normally operates for only a few hours (up to 4 hours) on a limited number of the hottest and coldest days of the year. Since water heaters act as storage devices, there should be no loss of hot water. For air conditioning, the outdoor compressor unit is cycled for brief periods while the circulation fan continues to operate.

We’ll even give you up to $48 in bill credits to participate – $2 per month bill credit to control the water heater.  You will receive a $4 credit to control both the water heater and the AC.

Bartholomew County REMC hired technicians will install and maintain the switch at no cost to you.  If you are ever dissatisfied or inconvenienced, we will remove the switch.  At electric cooperatives around the country, these energy management programs have proven to be successful and effective.
To sign up to participate in this program, please call us at 812-372-2546.

Frequently Asked Questions About the EM Program

What is the Energy Management Program?
The Energy Management Program is an innovative program that puts technology to work to save energy. Cycling the water heaters and air conditioners or heat pumps of participating members throughout our service territory helps reduce the demand for electricity during hours of peak energy usage.

What is the goal of the Energy Management Program?
This program will help your electric cooperative better manage costs, conserve energy, reduce the need to build new power plants, help the environment and lessen the impact of rate increases. By participating, you allow Bartholomew County REMC to install a device that allows us to control your water heater and air conditioner during times when demand for electricity is at its peak.

What are the benefits of the Energy Management Program?
By managing energy usage when demand is high (when you and your neighbors are using the most electricity), our supplier can reduce demand during those times when energy is most expensive. This can also result in a reduction of greenhouse gases, which will have a positive impact on our environment.

So will I see a savings on my power bill if I participate?
The impact per consumer is small, so you really won’t notice a difference on your power bill. But with thousands of people enrolled across the region, the Energy Management Program can help us avoid purchasing power during those times when it’s most expensive.

How does the program work?
Our power supplier sends a signal to a device connected to your water heater and air conditioner. This signal instructs the device to cycle your unit, powering down the heating/cooling elements for a short period of time (usually between two and four hours) and bringing them back up in time to ensure you have adequate hot water and air conditioning. 

When and how long will the switch be on?
The energy management switch normally operates for only a few hours (up to 4 hours) on a limited number of the hottest and coldest days of the year. Since water heaters act as storage devices, there should be no loss of hot water. For air conditioning, the outdoor compressor unit is cycled for brief periods while the circulation fan continues to operate.  The times when control may happen:

Winter Peak
December, January, February
Mornings 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST
Afternoons 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Summer Peak
June, July, August
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST

Will I run out of hot water?  Or feel uncomfortable with the air is cycled off?
You should have plenty of hot water in your tank to handle your showers, chores and other household tasks. The air conditioner is not cycled to ‘off’. The unit will be cycled for brief periods while the circulation fan continues to operate. You should notice no difference in the amount of hot water available, and should notice little difference in the air temperature of your home.

Why is Bartholomew County REMC promoting a program that will help it sell less electricity?
Bartholomew County REMC is a cooperative, and that means we have a real concern for the communities we serve. The Energy Management Program will help manage the peak demand for power, which is more expensive during those times when you and your neighbors are using the most electricity.