Why cycle air conditioners?
ALP is a summer peaking utility. Air conditioners greatly contribute to that peak load. By cycling air conditioners “off and on” for short spells during peak demand periods is usually not noticed by the participant—but effects substantial savings by lowering peak load. How long will my air conditioner be off? Never more than 10 minutes at a time! If your air conditioner is running when a peak load is predicted, the compressor (which is the cooling element) of your conditioner may be one of those to be cycled “off” for up to 10 minutes. It will then go back “on” for at least 20 minutes, and will not go “off again until every other participating air conditioner in town has also been “off” for 10 minutes. During this time the fan will continue to run so that air will continue to circulate throughout the house. During a typical summer, your air conditioner will by cycled about a dozen days. You should never notice the difference! Will the load management switch damage my air conditioner? A
