HELP Energy Conservation Program
Through the HELP Energy Conservation Program, residential customers team up with WPS to reduce the amount of electricity air conditioners and water heaters use during rare occasions when there's extreme power demand or a system emergency.
When you volunteer for the HELP program, WPS will mount a small remote-controlled switch on the outside of your home next to your central air-conditioning unit. You also may choose to have us install a similar switch for your electric water heater. There is no charge for these installations. In fact, you'll receive a small credit on your WPS bill for participating.
If a power crunch should occur, WPS will activate the remote-controlled switches on your air conditioner and/or water heater. This will turn off those devices and won't interfere with the rest of your electrical system.
This will not happen every time the weather gets hot. Current projections indicate we will have to restrict power to your air conditioner and water heater under the HELP program for several hours on 8 to 10 days each year.
You may select one or both of the two HELP Choices listed below for your central air conditioner and one HELP choice for your electric water heater.
HELP Choices
- Central Air Conditioner - Load Shed and Cycling (Best Choice)
- Your air conditioner may be turned off for a continuous period of time; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for example.
- Turn-off will likely occur in the afternoon and early evening and last between 1 and 8 hours. The maximum turn-off time is 8 hours per day.
- Turn-off is not likely to occur between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m., or on weekends.
- $8 credit in months of June, July, August and September, for a total annual credit of $32.
- Central Air Conditioner - Cycling Only
- With cycling, your central air conditioner may be turned off for a period of time, such as 15 minutes of each half hour, after which it automatically is turned back on. This automatic cycling is most likely to occur in the afternoon and early evening and last between 1 and 8 hours.
- Turn-off is not likely to occur between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. or on weekends.
- Air conditioner cycling is not very noticeable, because the unit will still be on for a portion of each hour.
- No bill credit.
- Electric Water Heater - Load Shed and Cycling
- Your electric water heater may be turned off for a maximum of 8 hours per day.
- Load shed is most likely to occur on hot summer days but could occur at any time during the day.
- Because hot water is held in your water heater's storage tank for your continued use, turn-off usually is not noticeable.
- $2 credit each month for 12 months, a total annual credit of $24.
To participate in the HELP program, call customer service at 800-450-7260.