My utility company is proving that it is possible to stay cool and save money, too.

Even though we’re enjoying a warmer than normal winter in Virginia, AC season is still months away. But our electric utility, Dominion, is thinking ahead—wise move.

Dominion customers, including the Queen household, recently received a flyer urging us to sign up for a new program, Smart Cooling Rewards. “Be Smart. Be Cool. Be Paid.”

Here’s the deal: Dominion will install a cycling switch on the AC or heat pump. During periods of high demand, Dominion may call an event—meaning the utility could cycle off the AC or heat pump compressor at defined intervals. But the fan would remain on circulating already cooled air.

Benefits to us: At the end of the season, we get a check for $40. Also, we get the good feeling of doing something green.

Benefits to Dominion: the utility is better able to manage peak load without having to bring peak generators online or buy additional energy at peak prices.

It sounded great to me, but I had to deal with the skeptics in the house. No names of course.

Skeptics wanted to know:

• Did we have to be home for the installation? Nope—and the flyer covered that.

• How long would be AC be off? It would run half the time it ran the previous hour and would cycle 10 minutes on and 20 minutes off. The flyer did not cover that.

• When would the overrides happen? Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The flyer did not cover that.

• What would we have to do to override and run the AC anyway? Call Dominion. The flyer did not cover that.

• How many times could we override the cut-off? Twice a season and still get the $40. After that, no $40. The flyer did not cover that.

After several phone calls to Dominion to answer questions (more kept cropping up), we decided to enroll. I’ll let you know at the end of AC season how we did, how many overrides (if any) we had. When we get our check at the end of 2012, I’ll write how we celebrated with our $40.

Advice for Dominion and other utilities: People want to be green, but they also want to know all the details for such a program before signing up. Next time you have a green energy program to promote, do a better job covering potential questions. My husband’s questions were basic and should have been answered in the initial mailing. If you run out of space, the back of the flyer was wide open. Do everything you can to limit reasons for people to avoid being smart and green.