Water Heater Controls

The radio-controlled switch (RCS) is a vital part of the load management program. Approximately 100,000 water heaters and more than 6,000 home heating systems throughout the state presently have an RCS. We recently added air conditioning to the load management program as well – known as Cool Returns. Whenever there’s a risk of reaching a new peak, the water heater (throughout the year) and home heating (in winter) or central air conditioning (in summer) RCSs are activated, temporarily interrupting electricity. Since the water in an electric water heater stays warm for several hours without power, most members will never even notice the temporary shutdown. Home heating systems qualifying for load management have a back-up system to continue providing heat for the home. On the air conditioning units, it simply cycles the compressor of your cooling unit for brief periods of time. This does not control your thermostat or harm your cooling system. Cool air continues to circulate through your home. There is a $1/month discount applied to your bill for having a RCS on your water heater. If you have an RCS on your water heater and central air conditioning system, you may also be eligible for our HVAC Rate Discount.

What do the indicator lights mean?

At the time switches are in use a red light illuminates on the RCS. There is also a green light on the RCS, which should always be on to indicate there is power to the RCS.