Electric company rebate program

I just received a letter from my electric company, ComEd. They're offering rebates for letting them hook up a control switch to your central air and control when the A/C can come on during peak hours.

- You get $5/month for letting them shut off the A/C for a maximum of 15 minutes in every 30 minute period for 6 hours during peak period.
- Or you get $10/month for letting them shut off your A/C for a straight 3 hours during peak period.

Peak period is between noon and 8pm on weekdays. If they don't need the extra power, they won't impose the restriction and you still get the rebate. Would anyone do this?

[cptacek]

I would. I'm not home noon to 8 pm on weekdays.

[abundance]

In the big picture, turning the ac unit off and on with short intervals will burn out the compressor.

I just use a programmable thermostat, and keep the thing off when I am gone. When I am home, it is set to 75 degrees and shuts off an hour before I wake up.