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Smart Grid Technology
The electric Smart Grid will enable signifi cant improvements in electric power reliability and quality through reduction of
peak power demand, while providing consumers the knowledge and ability to manage their energy consumption and utility
costs.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), since
1982 the growth in peak electricity demand has
exceeded power transmission growth. This has caused
more frequent blackouts and service interruptions, as
well as an increase in the costly reserve capacity the
power grid requires to meet higher peak demands.
The increased demand for electrical power across the
nation has also led to higher peak utility costs.
Smart appliances are one way to help mitigate this
problem. By using advanced digital communication
technologies, smart appliances will be able to
communicate with local power company or home
energy management systems, and react accordingly
to save energy and money. For example, during peak
demand periods the water heater may pause or delay
its power consumption and thus reduce the load on the
smart utility grid. Additionally, smart appliances will also
communicate with consumers to let them know how
much energy they are consuming. This will eventually
allow consumers to control their appliances, manage
energy usage, and to ultimately save money.
Smart Grid Control
(Where Available)
Where available, Grid Communication Adaptors may be
supplied by the local power company or purchased from
leading retailers. Please contact your local power com-
pany for more information.
To activate Smart
Grid Control, remove the cover over
the grid connection pins and plug in the grid communica-
tion adaptor. See Figure 10C. NOTE: use only Whirlpool
- approved grid communication adaptors. This will enable
the power company to communicate the peak demand
periods for the water heater’s power usage.
After this connection has been made, simply
press the “Grid Enabled” button to enable and/
or disable a request for grid control. See Figure
10D. Enabling this feature will allow acceptance
of the power company communication of grid manage-
ment requests. Disabling this feature will allow the water
heater to ignore grid management requests.
NOTE: Smart Grid will be disabled when the Energy
Smart
®
Module (ESM) is disconnected from the junction
box wiring harness (see page 12).
Figure 10D
Smart
Grid Control
°F/°C
GRID
ENABLED
VACATION
STANDARD
ENERGY
SMART
Pressing this button will enable
and/or disable a request for
Smart Grid Control
F
LOCK
GRID
Figure 10C
Smart
Grid Connection
Grid Connection
Pins
Junction Box
Grid Communication Adaptor
(May Be Supplied By Power Company)
(May Dier in Appearance)
Electric Shock Hazard
Disconnect power before
servicing.
Replace all parts and panels
before operating.
Failure to do so can result in
death or electric shock.
WARNING