MidAmerican Energy Company

To help save energy this summer, when demand is highest, join the EnergyAdvantage® SummerSaver air conditioner cycling program. The idea is simple: we control the use of residential air conditioners when the demand for electricity is highest. The SummerSaver program reduces peak demand, enabling us to use our generating capacity more efficiently. Single-family owner-occupied homes in Iowa with a central air conditioning unit or air-source heat pump may be eligible. Inquire today by calling MidAmerican Energy at 800-437-2976. SummerSaver is not available in Nebraska or South Dakota.

Here’s How it Works
As a SummerSaver participant, you will receive a $40 end-of-season incentive the first year and a $30 incentive in following years, if you participate the entire cycling season. If you end participation sometime during this four-month period, MidAmerican will prorate your incentive accordingly.

Air conditioner cycling means we send a wireless signal to a small cycling device we install, at no cost to you, on the siding of your house near your air conditioner or air-source heat pump. This equipment is wired into the existing thermostat control circuit and acts as a switch, allowing us to cycle air conditioners off and on during peak usage days in June through September. When cycling is necessary, air conditioners are cycled between approximately 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (but never on weekends or holidays). MidAmerican uses randomized programming to vary the starting time for cycling across our service territory so the actual start time for each device varies between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and the corresponding end time is between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Air conditioner cycling is an easy way for you to help reduce energy usage at peak times. During cycling periods, the cycling device does not control the indoor air conditioner blower fan, so previously cooled air continues to circulate throughout the house.

Frequently Asked Questions About the SummerSaver Program:

Will I be charged for joining the SummerSaver program?
No, a MidAmerican representative will mount a small cycling device on your house and connect it to your air conditioner at no cost to you. An outside disconnect switch is necessary to install the device. If your home does not have an outside disconnect switch, MidAmerican’s representative will install one at no charge.
What do people who have already joined the SummerSaver program have to say about it?
MidAmerican has implemented SummerSaver in other parts of our service territory and the response has been favorable. Since the cycling device does not shut off the indoor air conditioner blower fan, previously cooled air continues to circulate throughout the house, helping to maintain comfort. In fact, most participants say they do not even notice when MidAmerican cycles their air conditioner. Your home’s insulation level, directional orientation and shade tree coverage are factors that influence cycling’s affect on in-house temperatures. Some homes may experience an in-house temperature increase of 3 to 5 degrees during cycling.
How do I receive my incentive for participating in the SummerSaver program?
You will receive your end-of-season incentive as a credit on your energy bill in October. You will receive a $40 incentive your first year of participation and a $30 incentive in following years, if enrolled in the program during the entire cycling season. Otherwise, MidAmerican prorates your incentive accordingly. Only one incentive credit is available per household, regardless of the number of air conditioners cycled.

MidAmerican continues to expand the geographic reach of the SummerSaver program. A partial list of Iowa SummerSaver communities includes: Camanche, Carroll, Charles City, Clarion, Eagle Grove, Fort Dodge, Humboldt, Lake City, Le Mars, Oskaloosa, Red Oak, Rockwell City, Rock Valley, Sac City, Sheldon, and the Davenport, Des Moines, Iowa City, Sioux City and Waterloo metropolitan areas. Geographic and equipment availability, minimum summer usage and other restrictions may apply. SummerSaver is not available in Nebraska or South Dakota. If you have any questions regarding the program, call us at 800-437-2976.

Caution: SummerSaver is not recommended for households with occupants who have health problems such as asthma, heart disease or respiratory conditions.

The EnergyAdvantage SummerSaver program – just another way MidAmerican is helping our customers conserve energy.