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Smart Cooling Rewards

The Company has a request pending before the State Corporation Commission to retire this program and is no longer accepting applications at this time. 2022 will be the last cycling season for active participants. A similar offering that remains active is the Smart Thermostat Rewards Program.

If you have questions about the Smart Cooling Rewards program, call 888-366-8280.

Make a decision to make a difference

We’re always looking for ways to help our customers and communities conserve energy to ensure a consistent electrical supply for our entire grid. Our Smart Cooling Rewards program helps us manage higher energy demand in the summer and also rewards participating customers with a $35 credit. By easing demand on the power grid, together we can help control costs while keeping power supply consistent and reliable.

If you choose to participate, Dominion Energy will install a device known as an A/C cycling switch, on or near your air conditioner or heat pump system. During periods of high electrical use, we may need to call an “event,” which means we will cycle your air conditioner or heat pump compressor on and off for a defined interval.

The Smart Cooling Rewards program is available to Virginia customers. You must be a homeowner with a central air conditioner or heat pump on or near the ground floor. Mobile homes, apartments, and customers on dynamic or time-of-use rates are not eligible.

About the Program

How exactly does Smart Cooling work?

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When Dominion calls an event, the cycling switch will cycle your air conditioner or heat pump compressor on and off for a defined interval. For instance, if your air conditioning was running for an hour before the event, it will run for 15 minutes on and off for 30 minutes during the event. The fan will stay on to circulate the already cooled air during the event, and at the end of the event your air conditioning will return to normal operations.

When will events occur?

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Events occur during the summer, June 1 through September 30, only on weekdays typically between 2 pm to 6 pm, and typically last from two to four hours.

How often will my air conditioning be cycled?

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Several factors may produce a need for Dominion to call an event, including outdoor temperature, weather conditions, and regional consumer demand for electricity. Because these factors can vary, it is difficult to predict the number of events that may be called.

How will I know when my program participation is active?

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Once you sign up for the Smart Cooling Rewards program, the switch will be installed within 45 days. A door hanger notice will be left at your home on the day of the switch installation so you know your participation is active.

How will I be notified of a cycling event?

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Cycling events will be posted on the day of the event to the respective Smart Cooling Rewards web page. The postings typically precede the event by an hour.

Participants can also subscribe to receive text alerts by texting SMART to 898366 (text STOP to 898366 to unsubscribe from these notifications).

How do I request that my system not be cycled on a certain day?

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If you would like to stop the cycling of your home's cooling system on a particular date, call 888-366-8280 and a customer service representative will be able to answer your questions and opt you out of that particular cycling event.

You may opt out of a cycling event up to two days per summer season. If you opt out more than twice in one season, you will not be eligible to receive an incentive payment that year.

Do I have to adjust my thermostat or change any other settings?

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No, cycling does not require any changes in how the thermostat is used.

Will the switch affect any other appliances or systems in my home?

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No. Once the switch is installed, we will be able to cycle your home's cooling system during an event, but it will not affect other appliances in your home.

Will I notice any changes in my home's comfort?

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Each home is different. The temperature inside the home during an event is impacted by the home's characteristics, including the year it was built, the efficiency of the air conditioner or heat pump system, the presence of energy efficient windows, and the amount of insulation.

Participation and Rewards

If I don't own my house, can I still enroll?

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No, this program is for owner-occupied residences only.

If I live in a townhome or condominium, am I eligible?

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If you own your townhome or condominium and your unit has a separate central air conditioning (A/C) or heat pump system that is on or near the ground floor, you may be eligible for the Smart Cooling Rewards program.

Are apartments eligible?

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No, this program is for owner-occupied residences only.

I have a room air conditioner – can I participate in the Smart Cooling Rewards program?

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No, the technology only works on central air conditioning or heat pump systems.

What if I have more than one central air conditioning or heat pump unit?

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All accessible air conditioning or heat pump systems at your home are eligible and will have a switch installed to cycle them during called events.

Do I have to sign up again next year?

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You are automatically re-enrolled every year. But if you would like to make changes in your participation please call us at 888-366-8280.

Will it cost me anything to participate?

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No. We provide the equipment and the installation is free.

What do I get for participating?

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A $35 incentive is credited to your bill annually, after every summer you participate.

If I have two air conditioner or heat pump units do I receive two incentives?

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No. The $35 is per residence, regardless of the number of air conditioner or heat pump systems. All of the air conditioner or heat pump systems at your home will be cycled during an event.

When will I receive the $35?

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Every year on September 30th, we will verify that you are currently participating in the program and you did not opt out of more than two cycling events during that program season. Payments will be issued in the form of a bill credit by the December bill cycle.

How much money could the Smart Cooling Rewards program potentially save me on my bill?

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You may not see savings on your bill, but keep in mind your air conditioner or heat pump system is running less during the cycling event. Your ability to save money on your bill will be most impacted by how much you run your air conditioner during other times of the day.

Can I really make a difference by participating?

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Yes. By participating, you and thousands of others help reduce the demand on the electrical system during peak usage periods. We expect that the Smart Cooling Rewards program will reduce the demand on the electrical system by approximately one kilowatt per home. That's the equivalent of turning off ten 100-watt light bulbs.

Additional Information

Do I have to be home when the device is installed?

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In most cases, you do not have to be present for the device to be installed. If there is a locked gate or there are animals on your property, please let us know during the enrollment process and we will set up an appointment for you to be at home during the installation.

Who will be installing the switch? What do they do when they come to my house and what are their credentials?

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The installation will be done by qualified installers working on behalf of Dominion Energy, wearing a uniform and with a photo ID badge. Upon arriving at your home, they will knock on the door to ensure you are aware that they are at your home. If no one answers the door, the technician will leave a door hanger notice on your front door when the installation is complete. The technicians are fully trained and properly insured.

Exactly how does my switch cut power off to my air conditioner or heat pump compressor?

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The switch is connected to the low voltage wiring (24 volts) that goes from your thermostat to your air conditioner or heat pump compressor. The switch turns off the compressor just as if you had manually adjusted your thermostat setting to a high enough temperature to turn your air conditioner or heat pump off for a period of time.

Will the on and off caused by cycling damage my air conditioner or heat pump system?

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Your air conditioner naturally cycles on and off as needed to maintain a set temperature in your home. When your air conditioner or heat pump compressor is cycled, the compressor may cycle off for longer periods of time, but it will continue to operate without harming the system.

If my switch fails or is damaged, will it prevent my cooling or heating system from working?

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The switch installed at your home is extremely reliable. The equipment has been used in similar programs across the country for over 20 years, and is designed to allow your cooling or heating system to continue working in the unlikely event of a switch failure. If you believe the switch on your home is operating improperly, call us at 888-366-8280.

Are there any issues associated with this switch and having a programmable thermostat?

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The switch will not impact any operations you have with setting either a standard thermostat or a programmable thermostat.

If my air conditioner or heat pump is off during the event, will it be turned on so it can cycle?

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No. The cycling only occurs on air conditioners or heat pumps that are on during the event.

What do the lights indicate on the switch?

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A light (either red or yellow) will show when the compressor is being cycled. The light will be on during the time that electricity is being interrupted to the compressor. When the light goes out, electricity will be restored to the compressor, and cooling will continue. A green light may be on, off, or momentarily flash, indicating that the switch is communicating, which is a normal operation.

What if my heating and air conditioning company's service technician recommends that I have my switch disconnected or removed?

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Please have your service technician call us at 888-366-8280 before they proceed with disconnection or removal. We have worked with the equipment manufacturers to ensure that the switch will not harm your air conditioner or heat pump.

What do I do when I need to replace my air conditioner or heat pump system?

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Call us at 888-366-8280 to let us know, and we’ll arrange to have your switch installed on your new air conditioner or heat pump.

I'm moving, what do I do?

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We will automatically deactivate your switch when you notify us of your move and request that we discontinue electric service at your home. We will offer the new owners the opportunity to participate in the Smart Cooling Rewards program. Once you move into your new home, please call us at 888-366-8280. We will verify your eligibility and arrange to enroll your new home in the program.

I'm going on vacation. Is there anything special I should do?

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No, however we recommend you adjust your thermostat accordingly, since no one will be home.

For other questions, please call 888-366-8280 to speak to a representative.

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