NEW ORLEANS – Entergy New Orleans said it is now offering its residential and business customers the opportunity to reduce energy usage during periods of high demand to support overall grid stability for customers.
The demand response programs, administered through the company’s Energy Smart organization, enables Entergy New Orleans’ residential and business customers to reduce energy usage and play a significant role in the operation of the electric grid. Customers participating in the demand response programs can earn incentives by temporarily reducing their electricity when demand on the system is the highest.
“Entergy New Orleans is committed to providing a clean energy future and that includes working with customers to deliver innovative solutions to help effectively manage electrical demand and customer budgets,” said David Ellis, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO. “By offering technology-centered demand response options, we are delivering load relief to the grid while offering our customers attractive financial incentives.”
The demand response program offerings include:
- EasyCool Smart Thermostats, offered to residential and small business customers, makes small temperature adjustments to the customer’s smart thermostat during periods of high electricity usage. When electrical demand is high, the smart thermostat’s set point will auto-adjust by a few degrees. Residential and small business customers can enroll their new or existing smart thermostats in EasyCool. Smart thermostats also help customers gain control over the comfort of their homes and businesses to provide potential energy savings year-round.
- EasyCool Direct Load Control cycles residential customers’ air conditioners on and off to reduce energy use during peak demand periods. During high demand periods, the air conditioner compressor will operate at 50 percent of its normal run time, while allowing the fan to continue to run and circulate pre-cooled air.
Customers who participate in EasyCool can earn $25 for signing up and $40 each year for participating in the program.
- In partnership with Honeywell Smart Energy, the Large Commercial Demand Response program uses automated demand response to manage energy consumption and support the grid, while providing customer incentives. During periods of peak energy demand, customers can use automated demand response to voluntarily help reduce the strain on the electric grid.
For more information on ways customers can save energy, please visit energysmartnola.com. Residential customers can sign up for a free virtual or in-home assessment or visit the Energy Smart Online Marketplace for discounts on energy-saving home products, such as smart thermostats, LED light bulbs and water-saving products. Energy Smart also offers business customers many ways to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings – visit energysmartnola.com/businesses to learn more.