An American's home is not his castle
January 4, 2008 Nanny state If you thought the frontiers of nanny statism were to be found in this country, you might have to think again. In Sacramento, the Californian state authorities are proposing that new homes should have thermostats which can be remote controlled by the local power company (which will obviously jump to the tune of the aforementioned Californian state authorities).
What should be controversial in the proposed revisions to Title 24 is the requirement for what is called a "programmable communicating thermostat" or PCT. Every new home and every change to existing homes' central heating and air conditioning systems will required to be fitted with a PCT beginning next year following the issuance of the revision. Each PCT will be fitted with a "non-removable " FM receiver that will allow the power authorities to increase your air conditioning temperature setpoint or decrease your heater temperature setpoint to any value they chose. During "price events" those changes are limited to +/- four degrees F and you would be able to manually override the changes. During "emergency events" the new setpoints can be whatever the power authority desires and you would not be able to alter them.
Reader Comments (4)
We have them already in Ontario !!!
https://www.hydroottawa.com/conservation/index.cfm?lang=e&template_id=414
So, I would say they're not the same as what is proposed in CA.
"On the hottest weekday afternoons during the summer, when the use of air conditioners is greatest, Hydro Ottawa may remotely raise the temperature in your home by one or two degrees for a brief period of time."