Take control with the Custom Savings Program
As part of Central Hudson Peak Perks, the Custom Savings Program is open to select customers residing in specific energy-constrained areas. The program is designed to financially reward customers who decrease energy use during peak times of energy use (Conservation Events*).
The more energy you save during Conservation Events from June 1 through September 30, the bigger the potential financial reward.
How It Works
- You’ll receive an advisory notification of a Conservation Event roughly 24 hours in advance.
- You’ll receive a confirmation notice of a Conservation Event 2 hours in advance indicating the start and end time of the event.
- During the Conservation Event, you choose to turn off any unneeded device at that time. The more turned off, the more potential savings.
- Your Conservation Event energy savings will be measured based on the difference between your energy use during the Conservation Event and what your load would have been if you took no action.
- You’ll receive a $25 sign-on reward within 4 to 6 weeks after you complete enrollment. Choose payment as a mailed check or as a credit on your Central Hudson bill within two billing cycles following enrollment.
- Annual rewards for each year of participation will either be mailed within 4 to 6 weeks, or credited on your October bill statement.
- As a bonus, and for a limited time, new program participants will receive six (6) free LED light bulbs soon after you enroll.
Conservation Events*
- Occur June 1 through September 30, between noon and 8 p.m.
- Will last for at least one-half (1/2) hour and may last for up to four (4) hours
- Will not occur on weekends or federal holidays
For a complete list of applicable rules regarding Conservation Events, please see: https://cenhudpeakperks.com/program-rules/
Requirements
- Ability to allow for up to four (4) hours of reduction during a typical demand period
Rewards
- $25 Sign-on Reward
- $50 per kW saved each year
| Average Peak Load Reduction: | 2kW | 3kW | 4kW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-on Reward: | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Annual Reward: | $100 | $150 | $200 |
FAQ
How much energy does my device use?
Heating and cooling account for about 48% of your annual bill. Your clothes dryer uses about 20% of your household appliance energy. Consider shifting your largest energy users to other times of the day.
For a full list of your home’s big energy users and what you can do to save, go to:
http://www.savingscentral.com/images/energy_saving_tips_f_spreads.pdf
What is a kilowatt (kW) and a kilowatt hour (kWh)?
A watt (w) is a unit of power. A kilowatt (kw) is equal to 1,000 watts. Home devices can vary greatly in their power requirements. For instance, a single LED bulb may require 3 watts of power. An electric hot water heater, however, often requires 3,000 to 5,000 watts (3 to 5kW).
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy. It’s the amount of power (kW) required over a period of time (h). For instance, a hot water heater requiring 3kW of power for a 2-hour period would use 6 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy.
During a conservation event, reducing the usage of devices which require large amounts of power (kW) over long periods of time will have the biggest impact on your energy savings.
My home already participates in Central Hudson Peak Perks. Can I switch to Custom Savings?
Yes, if you can actively save electricity during your automatic cycling, you can switch to Custom Savings. However, you can participate in either program, but not both.
If I switch to the Custom Savings program, will I receive the sign-on reward?
Yes, however you must then participate for a full Custom Savings season.
How is my energy usage benchmark and the energy I saved during a Conservation Event determined?
A baseline is an estimate of the electricity that would have been consumed by a customer in the absence of a demand response event. Your Customer Baseline Load (CBL) is your average hourly usage during the top 5 days out of the last 10 eligible weekdays.
Is there a penalty if I leave the Custom Savings program if it’s not for me?
You can opt out of any Conservation Event or terminate participation in the program any time by notifying Central Hudson in writing or by telephone. If you terminate or cease to participate in the program, you will no longer be able to receive bill credits or rewards.
I understand the conservation events can occur any weekday from June 1 to September 30, but on average, how many events actually occur each season and for how long?
Participants can expect there to be approximately 3 events per season lasting roughly 3 hours for each event.
How do I maintain home comfort while participating in a conservation event?
Conservation Events are often called during the hottest days of the year when energy usage is at its highest. Central Hudson will inform you 24 hours in advance of a possible event and send a confirmation notice of an event 2 hours before it occurs. Customers in the program can then strategize the approach that best works for them.
For example, leading up to a conservation event, customers may choose to “precool” their homes by employing their AC systems more prior to the event. At the start of the event, customers can then raise the temperature of their AC system by 4 to 6 degrees above the normal set point to reduce the amount of time the AC system runs during the conservation event.
Also, appliances like clothes dryers can be run before or after the conservation event. If the home has a pool, turning off the pool pump during a Conservation Event can provide significant energy savings.