diff --git a/src/channel.rs b/src/channel.rs
index c688f0e..035d5c1 100644
--- a/src/channel.rs
+++ b/src/channel.rs
@@ -28,12 +28,10 @@ pub struct Channel<C: ChannelPins> {
 }
 
 impl<C: ChannelPins> Channel<C> {
-    pub fn new(mut pins: ChannelPinSet<C>, adc_calibration: ad7172::ChannelCalibration) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(pins: ChannelPinSet<C>, adc_calibration: ad7172::ChannelCalibration) -> Self {
         let state = ChannelState::new(adc_calibration);
         let mut dac = ad5680::Dac::new(pins.dac_spi, pins.dac_sync);
         let _ = dac.set(0);
-        // power up TEC
-        let _ = pins.shdn.set_high();
         // sensible dummy preset. calibrate_i_set() must be used.
         let dac_factor = ad5680::MAX_VALUE as f64 / 5.0;
 
@@ -47,4 +45,14 @@ impl<C: ChannelPins> Channel<C> {
             tec_u_meas_pin: pins.tec_u_meas_pin,
         }
     }
+
+    // power up TEC
+    pub fn power_up(&mut self) {
+        let _ = self.shdn.set_high();
+    }
+
+    // power down TEC
+    pub fn power_down(&mut self) {
+        let _ = self.shdn.set_low();
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/channel_state.rs b/src/channel_state.rs
index aab68d4..c4d6cbc 100644
--- a/src/channel_state.rs
+++ b/src/channel_state.rs
@@ -50,7 +50,12 @@ impl ChannelState {
     }
 
     pub fn update(&mut self, now: Instant, adc_data: u32) {
-        self.adc_data = Some(adc_data);
+        self.adc_data = if adc_data == ad7172::MAX_VALUE {
+            // this means there is no thermistor plugged into the ADC.
+            None
+        } else {
+            Some(adc_data)
+        };
         self.adc_time = now;
     }
 
@@ -63,13 +68,7 @@ impl ChannelState {
     }
 
     pub fn get_adc(&self) -> Option<ElectricPotential> {
-        let data = self.adc_data?;
-        if data == ad7172::MAX_VALUE {
-            // this means there is no thermistor plugged into the ADC.
-            None
-        } else {
-            Some(self.adc_calibration.convert_data(data))
-        }
+        Some(self.adc_calibration.convert_data(self.adc_data?))
     }
 
     /// Get `SENS[01]` input resistance
diff --git a/src/channels.rs b/src/channels.rs
index c02364d..14cd06d 100644
--- a/src/channels.rs
+++ b/src/channels.rs
@@ -70,13 +70,16 @@ impl Channels {
             let data = self.adc.read_data().unwrap();
 
             let state = self.channel_state(channel);
-
             state.update(instant, data);
             match state.update_pid() {
                 Some(pid_output) if state.pid_engaged => {
                     log::info!("PID: {:.3} A", pid_output);
                     // Forward PID output to i_set DAC
                     self.set_i(channel.into(), ElectricCurrent::new::<ampere>(pid_output));
+                    self.power_up(channel);
+                }
+                None if state.pid_engaged => {
+                    self.power_down(channel);
                 }
                 _ => {}
             }
@@ -293,6 +296,24 @@ impl Channels {
         self.set_dac(channel, ElectricPotential::new::<volt>(0.0));
     }
 
+    // power up TEC
+    pub fn power_up<I: Into<usize>>(&mut self, channel: I) {
+        match channel.into() {
+            0 => self.channel0.power_up(),
+            1 => self.channel1.power_up(),
+            _ => unreachable!(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    // power down TEC
+    pub fn power_down<I: Into<usize>>(&mut self, channel: I) {
+        match channel.into() {
+            0 => self.channel0.power_down(),
+            1 => self.channel1.power_down(),
+            _ => unreachable!(),
+        }
+    }
+
     fn get_pwm(&self, channel: usize, pin: PwmPin) -> f64 {
         fn get<P: hal::PwmPin<Duty=u16>>(pin: &P) -> f64 {
             let duty = pin.get_duty();
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index f5d1d23..946fd2f 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -328,6 +328,7 @@ fn main() -> ! {
                                             leds.g3.off();
                                             let current = ElectricCurrent::new::<ampere>(value);
                                             let (current, max) = channels.set_i(channel, current);
+                                            channels.power_up(channel);
                                             let _ = writeln!(
                                                 socket, "channel {}: i_set DAC output set to {:.3} / {:.3}",
                                                 channel,