HAUPPAUGE, NY — The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has received an energy demand solution from Carrier Corp. that will be passed along to its residential and small business customers as part of “LIPAEdge.” LIPAEdge is a new energy conservation program that has been designed to help the utility’s “residential and small business customers get the most out of their energy dollars, while helping Long Island’s electric system operate as efficiently as possible,” according to Carrier.

Part of the solution includes the use of ComfortChoiceSM, which deals with power reliability and energy cost issues, especially during peak demand hours. Carrier said that “By reducing energy usage during these periods, or during capacity shortfalls similar to California’s current situation, utilities can increase system reliability, reduce energy price spikes, and maintain adequate energy supplies.

Ken Fox, vice president and general manager of Carrier Electronics, said, “The LIPAEdge Program uses Carrier’s Internet-connected thermostats and patented technologies to establish a critical link between utilities and homeowners for energy management.”

Central air conditioning customers who would like to participate in the program will receive a free thermostat plus a $25 “bonus” from LIPA, according to Carrier. Twelve of the manufacturer’s Five Star dealers will provide in-home service for those customers. LIPA will be able to remotely control participating customers’ central a/c systems between June 1 and Sept. 30 of each year, after which the thermostat is remotely returned to its original settings.

For more information, visit www.lipaedge.com or www.carrier.com (websites).

Publication dates: 04/30/2001