Thousands of Coloradans were unable to adjust the temperature in their homes for hours on Tuesday after Xcel Energy locked their smart thermostats due to an “energy emergency.”

Temperatures reached into the 90s in some areas of Colorado on Tuesday, KMGH-TV reported.

The approximately 22,000 customers who were affected had signed up for the AC Rewards program, which gives users rebates in exchange for allowing Xcel Energy to control their thermostats on the hottest days of the year to mitigate strain on the electrical grid, according to 9News. …

“Normally, when we see a message like that, we’re able to override it,” Tony Talarico told KMGH-TV. “In this case, we weren’t. So, our thermostat was locked in at 78 or 79.” …

Participants in the program receive a one-time $100 bill credit when they enroll plus an additional $25 per year, 9NEWS noted.

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