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Ohio bill would let utilities create optional
programs to control customers’ thermostats
to reduce energy use

Original Article

Posted By: Harlowe, 9/12/2025 12:49:29 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio [WJW-TV Cleveland] - A state lawmaker proposes allowing utilities to take control of volunteering customers’ thermostats or appliances, to decrease overall demand on the energy grid in times of peak consumption. Such optional demand response programs are already available to large commercial users, but House Bill 427, introduced in late August by state Rep. Roy Klopfenstein, R-Haviland, would allow utilities to develop them for residential consumers. “This legislation is a crucial step in our state’s comprehensive plan to ensure all Ohioans have access to reliable, affordable and readily available energy,” The programs wouldn’t be mandatory. [Snip] Utility customers would have to opt in.

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Reply 1 - Posted by: hurricanegirl 9/12/2025 12:51:41 PM (No. 2002925)
Optional today, mandatory tomorrow!
45 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: kono 9/12/2025 1:07:14 PM (No. 2002933)
Camel's nose under the tent... It will soon be argued that it's unfair for the volunteers to bear the full burden of reduced energy availability, so the biggest 'overusers' will then be forced to give up their ability to choose their preferred temperature. Out of FAIRNESS, of course..... (eye roll)
23 people like this.

Reply 3 - Posted by: Mizz Fixxit 9/12/2025 1:11:22 PM (No. 2002934)
In 2022, Xcel Energy locked 22,000 thermostats in Colorado during a heatwave. The fool customers agreed to let the utility company take control of their thermostats in return for a $100 credit and a $25 per year rebate.
11 people like this.

Reply 4 - Posted by: itsonlyme 9/12/2025 1:11:57 PM (No. 2002935)
Perhaps "they" will proceed to my 4-slice toaster
5 people like this.

Reply 5 - Posted by: philsner 9/12/2025 1:24:11 PM (No. 2002942)
All volunteers take one step back.
6 people like this.

Reply 6 - Posted by: Sorosisbehindit 9/12/2025 1:24:18 PM (No. 2002943)
And THIS is why I refused the smart meter on my house and pay about $25/month for them to come read my meter!
11 people like this.

Reply 7 - Posted by: danu 9/12/2025 1:27:51 PM (No. 2002948)
who thinks Rep. Roy Klopfenstein will turn off his a/c?
12 people like this.

Reply 8 - Posted by: joew9 9/12/2025 1:32:44 PM (No. 2002954)
Already tried in my area of Florida a couple decades ago. I guess Ohio didn't hear the news. It didn't work. It saved virtually nothing. It malfunctioned frequently requiring service techs to drive using gasoline to the customer, install new parts, parts that used energy to manufacture, install the new parts, drive back using more gasoline. Frequently the failures required multiple visits. Most everything that is billed as saving energy ends up costing more energy. EVs are a good example of a device that in the long run costs more energy than an ICE car.
12 people like this.

Reply 9 - Posted by: mean Gene 9/12/2025 1:44:36 PM (No. 2002961)
The old parts "failed," right? More like tech savvy homeowners figured out the workaround.
6 people like this.

Reply 10 - Posted by: bpl40 9/12/2025 1:56:02 PM (No. 2002966)
My new heating/ cooling unit has thermostat connectable to the internet. I have left it unconnected. If I can access it so can others.
11 people like this.

Reply 11 - Posted by: LanceLink1 9/12/2025 2:05:10 PM (No. 2002972)
Free markets and freedom of choice to develop and make technologies available for your voluntary purchase to create a standard of living you want only to allow the government to control it. Sounds like utopia..........
4 people like this.

Reply 12 - Posted by: anniebc 9/12/2025 2:10:18 PM (No. 2002975)
The little gods never stop, do they? The only utopia will be when Christ returns. Don't be deceived.
8 people like this.

Reply 13 - Posted by: Msquared112 9/12/2025 2:14:04 PM (No. 2002978)
NO! That's a slippery slope for a Democrat administration or a socialist one to mandate thermostat control.
5 people like this.

Reply 14 - Posted by: DVC 9/12/2025 2:22:36 PM (No. 2002985)
BINGO for #1. Mandatory very soon.
11 people like this.

Reply 15 - Posted by: Aklon70 9/12/2025 2:33:01 PM (No. 2002993)
Here we go again! Any time the state gets involved in voluntary programs, it tends to become mandatory sooner or later.
8 people like this.

Reply 16 - Posted by: Nimby 9/12/2025 2:39:38 PM (No. 2002997)
What a clown this Klopfenstein is!! He expects consumers to pay for getting manipulated by the utility companies??
5 people like this.

Reply 17 - Posted by: Californian 9/12/2025 2:48:09 PM (No. 2003005)
Anything they create that isn't mandatory will be soon enough. Just repeating what others have said to emphasize the obvious.
4 people like this.

Reply 18 - Posted by: JHHolliday 9/12/2025 2:55:54 PM (No. 2003006)
They will try to make it mandatory soon to require all new thermostats to be controllable by the utility company. They will shut your heat/ac for any "emergency" then do it to customers who complain about the government overreach.
4 people like this.

Reply 19 - Posted by: franco 9/12/2025 3:10:16 PM (No. 2003010)
I've been in my present house for over 25 years. When I moved in, a noticed a discount on the electricity portion of my utility bill, for $4. It was for "agreeing" to load management -- which I never did, but possibly the builder who got the utilities installed did (and I inherited the terms and conditions of the "agreement). Two decades later, electricity rates have skyrockted (mostly thanks to people like Obummer & Co.), and my discount for load management is still only $4. My advice to anyone who can -- decline this arrangement unless it comes with inflation adjustments. The savings will be a pittance in the long run, and you might find yourself without air conditioning on very warm days in the future when your state of health demands cooler air indoors.
3 people like this.

Reply 20 - Posted by: hershey 9/12/2025 3:20:48 PM (No. 2003014)
How 'reliable' is it if the company can turn off your electric in the middle of winter???? Our local electric co op does 'load control' and my gennie kicks in...so there...
3 people like this.

Reply 21 - Posted by: Bur Oak 9/12/2025 3:56:42 PM (No. 2003030)
Ohio consumers need to figure out how to control Ohio politicians. Perhaps they could try not voting for them.
7 people like this.

Reply 22 - Posted by: Venturer 9/12/2025 4:19:52 PM (No. 2003047)
We had that here in Maryland. The power company offered it voluntarily. We did it at the American Legion building. Then one really hot summer day we had the hall rented out for a wedding. SMECO cut off our air conditioners and the places was sweltering. We dumped that in a hurry.
4 people like this.

Reply 23 - Posted by: mc squared 9/12/2025 4:48:17 PM (No. 2003057)
And saving money on car insurance by allowing them to site in the passenger seat.
1 person likes this.

Reply 24 - Posted by: caljeepgirl 9/12/2025 5:05:45 PM (No. 2003060)
Don't do it!!!!!!
1 person likes this.

Reply 25 - Posted by: WI Cynic 9/12/2025 5:11:34 PM (No. 2003065)
I have it for my water heater, which I can tolerate. I would not do it for my home's heat, and anyways, it would be interesting to see an electronically controlled thermostat on my wood stove.
0 people like this.

Reply 26 - Posted by: Rumblehog 9/12/2025 9:37:35 PM (No. 2003155)
What is "optional" today will be tomorrow's "mandatory." How about just develop new sources of energy... like Natural Gas short-term, and light nuclear longer term?
0 people like this.

Reply 27 - Posted by: MickTurn 9/12/2025 10:19:39 PM (No. 2003171)
Sounds like a way to MURDER people the govt. doesn't like...
0 people like this.

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