Vectren Launches Its Smart Cycle Program; Aims To Install 1,000 Wi-Fi Thermostats In 2018

Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana – South (Vectren) has launched a new energy management program known as Smart Cycle, a Wi-Fi- thermostat technology program designed to manage energy demand in times of critical need.  The new program was piloted in 2016 and will gradually replace the company’s Summer Cycler program, which has been in place since the 1990s.

The older Summer Cycler program gave participating customers bill credits for allowing Vectren to cycle off their A/C and/or electric water heater during peak periods in the summer. The cycling is enabled by a radio device installed on their A/C unit and/or electric water heater. Vectren will replace all of Summer Cycler devices with in-home Nest thermostats over the next decade.

“Nest thermostats provide customers energy savings throughout the year and will reduce energy demand during peak usage times,” said Brad Ellsworth, president of Vectren Indiana-South. “Our pilots demonstrated that the Nest performed twice as effective compared to the Summer Cycler device. When all existing Summer Cycler devices are replaced with the Nest, the Smart Cycle program will yield an additional 14 megawatts of peak demand savings when needed.”

To launch Smart Cycle, Vectren will begin contacting customers who currently participate in Summer Cycler to plan the switch to the Smart Cycle offering.

“We are excited to offer this new program to customers who are eager to utilize ‘smart’ technology to take an active role in using their energy wisely,” continued Ellsworth. “Nest thermostats offer a much more reliable and proven technology to help shed load when compared to the Summer Cycler devices that are nearly 30 years old. Customers continue to get bill credits for their participation, and they should also expect energy savings, as the Nest is a learning thermostat that helps customers save all year round on heating and cooling costs.”

Vectren will provide the customer a Nest thermostat and professional installation, and the customer will be automatically enrolled in Nest’s rewards program. Throughout the months of June through September, they will continue to receive a $5 per month bill credit for participating in cycling events. These energy cycling events are called “Energy Rush Hours” where the home is pre-cooled before the air conditioning unit is managed to lower energy levels on peak usage days. Periodically throughout the summer cooling season, customers will receive advanced notice of the “Energy Rush Hours” event via a display on their Nest thermostat and its smartphone app (if installed).

To qualify for the Smart Cycle program and receive a Nest thermostat, customers:

• Must be a Vectren electric customer.
• Must be a current Summer Cycler user.
• Must have Wi-Fi in their home.
• Must enroll in Nest’s Rush Hour Rewards.

Summer Cycler customers who already own a Nest thermostat can still participate in the Smart Cycle program through the Bring Your Own Thermostat option. They will receive a $75 incentive for enrolling in Nest’s rewards program and participating in Vectren’s cycling events. They will also continue to receive a $5 bill credit in June, July, August and September.

For questions about the Smart Cycle program, call Vectren at 1-800-240-8476. Smart Cycle is one of many services being offered as part of Vectren’s Smart Energy Future strategy. More information on Vectren’s Smart Energy Future can be found at www.vectren.com/SmartEnergyFuture.