Alliant begins appliance cycling program because of heat

Alliant Energy said it will cycle some customers' air conditioners and electric water heaters north of Interstate 80 today to reduce overall energy usage.

Customers participating in Alliant's Appliance Cycling program have a small control switch on or near their central air conditioner. Alliant Energy sends a signal to the switch that cycles the outdoor cooling unit off and on every 15 minutes, while the furnace fan continues to circulate the cooler, drier air already in the home.

Today's cycling includes customers in the Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Newton, Marshalltown, Mason City, Decorah, Dubuque and Oelwein metro areas.

Alliant Energy pays participating customers $8 per month from June through September whether it cycles the air conditioner or not.

The water heater cycling program pays customers $2 per month during the same time period.

Customers not equipped with the switches and enrolled in the program are not affected. The cycling typically is instituted during periods of hot weather, when electric demand is high.

Here's more on the

Appliance Cycling program.