FAQ for Energy Solutions

ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN SIGN-UP & PRODUCT ORDERS &
CUSTOMER SERVICE (860) 781 6666

Frequently Asked Questions

The DCS Energy Group Savings Plan

Q: How does my billing work?
A: You will receive your same CL & P or UI bill every month but your monthly electric generating rate service fee on the bill will be from a CT licensed electric generating provider selected by DCS Energy and the fees will be less than what your utility provider (CL&P or UI) would be charging you. Your credit card will be charged a $3 monthly fee automatically from DCS Energy as long as you stay with the Energy Savings Plan & the chosen electric provider. Please note that the DCS Energy Savings Plan and the electric generating provider have no control over the electric delivery service fees on your bill from your utility provider. They are determined by CL &P and UI with regulation by the CT State DPUC.

Q: What discounts do I get for joining the group?

A: You will receive a $25 discount off the purchase of the Energy Miser. Also, a $100 discount for the purchase of the MicroCHP or Solar PV System.

Q: What does an indexed rate mean?
A: An indexed rate means it is floating monthly rate based on energy market conditions. You have a guarantee that your rate will always be less than the CL&P or UI electric generation rate. You have the comfort of knowing that you will be saving money every month instead of staying with CL&P or UI.

Q: What happens if I move in CT?
A: If you move within CT you can inform DCS Energy that you will be moving and would like your electric generating service transferred. This can be done without re-enrolling and no setup/change fee will be charged. You will also need to inform your delivery supplier (CL&P or UI) to shut off your power and to provide power to your new location.

Q: In case of emergency with a downed power line, who should I call?
A: In the event of an emergency such as a power failure or a downed power line, you should call their local distribution company, CL&P (800) 286 2000 or UI (800) 722 5584.

Q: Will CL&P or UI still treat my service requests the same?
A: By law your delivery company has to treat you the same whether you are still using their electric generating rate or not. If you feel that you are not getting the service because you are with the DCS Energy Savings Plan, please let us and the CT Attorney General know about your service concern.

Q: What is the term of the agreement and the cancellation policy?
A: Residential customers can cancel at any time and your next month’s bill will be changed to your other supplier. Our term for this agreement is month to month so there are no long term commitments. Commercial customers will sign up for the rest of 2008 (expires 12/31/2008). The Energy Savings Plan for commercial customers will automatically renew unless a written notice is provided at least 30 days prior to the end of the term (12/31/2008). We want you to have the freedom to be a good consumer. We are pretty confident that you will like saving money with us so much that you will not need to change your electric generating service.

Q: Will my electricity be reliable?
A: Your electricity with DCS Energy Savings Plan will be just as reliable as it always has been. All you are changing is where the electricity comes from not how it is delivered to your building or electric meter. So everything is the same as it always has been only now you are saving money with using DCS Energy Savings Plan.

The DCS Energy Miser

Q: How much money can I expect to save with the DCS Energy Miser?
A: Generally the more inductive motors you use the greater the savings and more money you are saving. The current average for homes and businesses is 15% but we have had quite a few saving more than 20% a month. So for a building that has a $200 per month electric bill, you would probably be saving $30 to $50 a month or $360-$600 a year.

Q: Will it work in any home or business?
A: All homes with a switch circuit breaker (most homes built or electric upgrades after 1960) the Miser will work. As for businesses, the miser will work in any single or three phase electric system.. The warranty for the DCS Energy Miser is three years.

Q: Can I install the DCS Energy Miser?
A: We recommend that an electrician install the system. If you or a friend are electrically handy you can install the system. If you can say yes to the question, "Can I Install a dedicated 20 amp. breaker", then you can probably install the system. Installation instructions are provided with each unit's packaging material. It will take an electrician less than an hour to install the system and additional materials may be needed to complete the installation.

Q: Will the Miser hurt my motors?
A: No, the DCS Energy Miser will actually help your motors. They will run cooler and be more efficient. The motors will last longer with the DCS Energy Miser and the unit adds protection from electronic surges from the electric grid too.

Q: Do I read this right? If I own a business with air conditioning and heating I get 60 cents per square foot tax deduction, which will be more than the Miser costs if I have a 1500 square foot building or larger? What a deal!
A: Well yes, if you are a business owner and have air conditioning and heating in your building, you would be able to be eligible for a 60 cent per square foot federal tax deduction. So if your building is 5000 square feet and air conditioned and heated, you would be eligible for a $3000 tax deduction even though your Miser would cost less. Please check the Order Now section for any available commercial or residential rebates.

The DCS Energy MicroCHP Solution

Q: How does the DCS Energy MicroCHP save me money?
A: The amount of natural gas or propane that you now heat your home and water with will also provide you electricity. The MicroCHP produces 3 kWh per half gallon of gas. So if you normally use 125 gallons of gas a month to heat your home you would also produce around 750 kWh of electricity. The average use in CT is 800 kWh per month so the MicroCHP will provide practically all the electric needs of an average home as a bonus in the heating season.

Q: How does the MicroCHP help the environment?
A: The MicroCHP greatly helps the environment by reducing the required burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity in a power plant. This can have a huge impact on greenhouse gas emissions if there is widespread use of the MicroCHP. The MicroCHP is very efficient in producing heat 92+% which means if you have an older boiler you will use less gas to heat your home while also producing electricity.

Q: What happens in the summer with the MicroCHP?
A: The MicroCHP will not be on as much in the summer (heats your water not your building) as in the winter so your electric production will decrease. There is an air conditioning option with the MicroCHP that provides air conditioning for your building and would produce power at 3 kWh.

Q: What if I do not have natural gas or propane?
A: You can easily get propane by adding a propane tank outside your building. There are delivery companies of propane just like heating oil. Propane is generally less expensive per gallon than heating oil. Currently in the winter of 2008, propane is $2.35/gallon while heating oil is $3.25/gallon.

Q: What is the perfect fit for using a MicroCHP system?
A: If a building already has forced air heat or baseboard water heat and the current boiler is ready for replacement, the MicroCHP is a great fit. Also, any new construction or major remodeling the MicroCHP is a good fit.

Q: Can I install the MicroCHP System?
A: The MicroCHP system should be installed by a professional HVAC person. If you have successfully installed boilers or forced air systems only then should you attempt to install this system.