Customers “had no control over the temperatures in their own homes” When Utility Took Control of Smart Thermostats

Thousands of Xcel customers locked out of thermostats during ‘energy emergency’

22,000 people lost control of temperatures in their homes for hours Tuesday

When thousands of Xcel customers in Colorado tried adjusting their thermostats Tuesday, they learned they had no control over the temperatures in their own homes.

DENVER — During the dog days of summer, it’s important to keep your home cool. But when thousands of Xcel customers in Colorado tried adjusting their thermostats Tuesday, they learned they had no control over the temperatures in their own homes.

Temperatures climbed into the 90s Tuesday, which is why Tony Talarico tried to crank up the air conditioning in his partner’s Arvada home.

“I mean, it was 90 out, and it was right during the peak period,” Talarico said. “It was hot.”

That’s when he saw a message on the thermostat stating the temperature was locked due to an “energy emergency.”

Read More: Customers “had no control over the temperatures in their own homes” When Utility Took Control of Smart Thermostats