Alliant Energy initiating cycling program

CEDAR RAPIDS ? Interstate Power and Light Co., an Alliant Energy company, announced today that it will cycle air conditioners for participating Iowa customers south of Highway 20.

Weather conditions are such that from 1-7 p.m. today customers enrolled in the Appliance Cycling Program will have their air conditioners cycled in 15 minute intervals to reduce overall energy usage.

Participating customers have a small control switch placed on or near their central air conditioner. Today, Alliant Energy will be sending a signal to the switch for participating customers. The control switch will cycle the outdoor cooling unit off and on every 15 minutes. The furnace fan will continue to circulate the cooler, drier air already in the home.

Appliance Cycling events typically occur from 1-7 p.m. weekdays between May 15 and Sept. 15. They are not initiated on weekends or holidays.

If the forecasted heat index continues through this week, more cycling events are possible.