There are three elements that work together to help you save money and energy on the Energy Select program.

First, there's a special programmable thermostat. It allows you to control your central heating and cooling, electric water heater and pool to put you in control of how much energy you purchase, when you purchase it and at what price you purchase it.

The second element is the Energy Select rate that goes along with the program. The rate is structured so that you have the opportunity to pay a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time.

The third element is a communications gateway that is located on your electric meter. The gateway stores each kilowatt-hour you purchase at the price you purchased it at. It then communicates this information to the billing system.

The communications that happen between the thermostat, gateway and your central heating and cooling system, water heater and pool pump make up what is referred to as the local area network, or LAN. These devices are in routine communication with each other so that your programmed settings can be carried out immediately.

The gateway both receives and sends information from and to Gulf Power. The gateway receives information via paging. It sends information, including your billing information, via your home's phone line. This pathway of communication is known as a Wide Area Network.

The degree of these integrated pathways of communications both inside the home, via the LAN, and from the home to Gulf Power via the WAN, is why this program is nationally recognized as one of the most advanced systems of its kind.