It’s not like Colorado regularly sees the triple-digit temperatures of Arizona, or Texas, but still when it hits 90 or 95 degrees residents know it.
That’s why many have air conditioning, like those in southern states.
But a report now confirms that thousands of Xcel customers were locked out of their home thermostats for hours this week because of a “rare energy emergency.”
The Denver Channel reported 22,000 people “lost control” of temperatures in their homes for hours Tuesday.
“Temperatures climbed into the 90s Tuesday, which is why Tony Talarico tried to crank up the air conditioning in his partner’s Arvada home. ‘I mean, it was 90 out, and it was right during the peak period,’ Talarico said. ‘It was hot,’” the report explained.
Then he saw the message on his digital thermostat warning him he was locked out.
Multitudes of Xcel customers reported similar hazards on social media, and Xcel confirmed that tens of thousands who signed up for the Colorado AC Rewards program were affected.
Emmett Romine, a utility VP, said, “It’s a voluntary program. Let’s remember that this is something that customers choose to be a part of based on the incentives.”
Under the program, customers get $100 by enrolling, and then $25 a year, if they “give up some control to save energy … and make the system more reliable.”
He said the “emergency” was triggered by an outage in Pueblo, some 100-plus miles south of the Denver metro area.
Yep 22,000 took the bait and gave up their freedom of comfort for a few dollars. People need to start thinking. Their houses are hot now and the money’s gone too. And just a side note …. Once vaccinated, you can never be unvaccinated.
They got what they paid for
Can’t help stupid
I tried it when DELMARVA POWER first started their program in the 80’s. They claimed it would save you a minimum of 17 dollars. I tired it for 3 months. The first 2 months I would come home to a home of 100 degrees and I had animals panting and busted outside before I got the door completely open. Lucky the listen, since they did not want to go back in. I called DELMARVA POWER even though they were closed and the next three days and they kept telling me I was wrong but they would come out and change it back. I did that for 2 months and they did nothing and my bill raised 40 dollars those months instead of dropping. I saw how they connected it on my house so I went out and changed those wires back. When they came out 2 weeks later they got upset and stated it was against the law for me to touch it. I told them to arrest me then. I told them I had everything documented and they refused to disconnect it. I never heard nothing from them.
Yup! Now, go buy that electric car and ask permission as to when you can charge it!