What is a load control device?

A load control device is a unit installed near your central air conditioning unit that allows Austin Utilities to interrupt power to the condenser on your air conditioner during peak energy usage while allowing your fan to continue circulating cool air inside your home. Load control devices operate for a short time each hour and should have no impact on comfort.

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How long is my AC condenser cycled for?

These smart devices know when and how long to control your AC load without disrupting your comfort more than a few degrees. Customers who believe their comfort is being disrupted should call the AU office at 507-433-8886. See our infographic Air Conditioner Load Control HOW to learn more.

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Why does Austin Utilities want to control my air conditioner?

During hot weather Austin Utilities reaches peak energy demand and we are charged year-round based on that peak. As a not-for-profit organization, we have to pass these costs on to our customers. For each One (1) MW of demand that we reduce our peak, we can save our customers approximately $170,000 per year. See our infographic Air Conditioner Load Control WHY to learn more

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Who is required to have a load management device?

Any residential customer who has installed or is replacing or upgrading their central air conditioner.

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Can I opt out of this program?

Customers are given the opportunity to opt-out of the AU load control program. The customer must apply, be a single-family residential customer, property owner, responsible for paying all fees. Customers opting out are required to pay an additional $15 dollars for each monthly billing cycle during peak shaving months of June, July, August, and September. Customers with the medical opt-out option must submit a load control opt-out waiver annually to suspend all fees and charges. Should the customer discontinue the opt-out program, there is no cost to enable the load control.

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My air conditioner won't start. Could it be the load management device you installed?

It could be but making sure that all the controls and equipment are in proper working condition and in the right position are key to making sure everything runs smoothly.

• Look at your load control to see if it is activated (see example above)
  

• Check your electrical service panel to make sure the breaker is switched to “On” or your fuse box to make sure the fuses are properly sized and not blown.

• Check near the air conditioner compressor outside to see if there is a disconnect switch (box) near the unit and make sure that is switched to “On".
• Make sure your thermostat is switched to “cool”, and the temperature setting on the thermostat is set lower than the current temperature inside your house

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Every time I start my air conditioner, I blow a fuse. Could this be caused by the load control?

No, if this is happening, something inside your air conditioner is causing problems. You will need to contact a professional cooling contractor to check your unit.

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What does the device look like and where is it located?

Your device will look like one of the examples at the top of this page and is always located very near the condenser.

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