Austin Energy will begin recruitment of apartment tenants for the program in February with installation of the timers starting in March. Tenants will get a one-time credit on their utility bill as an incentive to participate in the program, which will not significantly impact the average apartment dweller's hot water needs. The timers will turn the water heaters off on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 1 to September 30. The water heaters will not be shut off on weekends and holidays. A special button on the timer will allow customers to also turn the water heaters off when on vacation.
Studies show that water heaters account for about one-third of a household's electric use.
Austin Energy plans to have 800 apartment units fitted with timers during the first year with installation beginning in March. Participation by the tenants is optional. If the program goes well, another 3,000 units would get timers in each of the second and third years of the program, known as Cycle Saver. By the end of the third year, the program should be reducing demand by about 3.9 megawatts during that period on summer afternoons when electricity demand is the heaviest. The reduction represents enough electricity to power more than 1,300 homes.