Alliant cycling appliances for all Iowa customers due to heat

Alliant said its implementing appliance cycling to all 48,000 customers participating in the appliance cycling program throughout the state  due to weather conditions from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Sept. 1, 2011.

By switching the customers' air conditioners and water heaters off in 15 minute intervals, Alliant said it will reduce overall electric demand by 33 megawatts.

Customers who participate in the program receive $8 per month in bill credits from June through September whether the air conditioner is cycled or not. The amount is $2 per month for customers who have electric water heaters enrolled in the program.

Electricity is usually in shortest supply on hot days when air conditioning demand is high, resulting in the highest wholesale electric costs. By lowering overall electric consumption on those days, utilities typicall reduce the need for costly wholesale electricity purchases and delays the need to build more power plants.