TAKING CONTROL OF THE BAKER'S WINDOW:

On the hottest, sunniest, sultriest days of summer, Peco wants to reach through its wires and turn off your central air conditioner.

About 87,000 households have told the utility, "Have at it."

Whence this seeming insanity?

There's good money in it.

Utilities across the region are so intent upon lessening the spike of demand for electricity on these days, which routinely show the highest electricity use of the year, that they're dangling incentives for customers.

Generally, the utilities "cycle" the air conditioners. Fifteen minutes on, 15 minutes off.

And the cycling applies only to the compressors. The blower that circulates your household's air keeps running, if your thermostat tells it to, so your house doesn't become a fetid swamp.

Peco has probably the best deal -- $30 a month for June through September, or $120 total.

Once you enroll, they come out and attach a device to your central air conditioner that will let them take control.

Follow @brothersjudd