Understanding Electric Demand and How to Manage It
Have you ever heard the term “demand charges” and wondered what is demand really? Demand is essentially the measurement of the maximum amount of electricity being used at one time.
</ br>
The electricity that is delivered to your home must be generated at the same exact time you’re using it.
</ br>
Generally, members in our area are all awake and using electricity at the same time: getting ready for work, preparing meals, etc. This means that during certain times of the day, members are using more electricity than at other times. For KEC, those “peak” times are between 7-10 a.m. and between 5-9 p.m.
</ br>
It costs KEC more to purchase electricity from Bonneville Power Administration during those “peak” times.
How to Reduce Your Demand
Consider making these adjustments to reduce your electric demand:
- Charge electric vehicles (EV) during off peak demand periods and ensure EV chargers are programed to recharge batteries as gradually as possible.
- Turn off heating strips and mats during peak demand periods.
- Replace electric wall heaters with a heat pump or ductless mini-split.
- Turn off your electric water heater during peak demand periods. If you have an electric on-demand water heater, consider replacing it with a heat pump water heater.
- Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one. Program it to heat or cool your home leading up to these periods.
- Set dishwashers, as well as clothes washers and dryers, to run their cleaning cycles outside of peak demand periods.
- Replace all incandescent and CFL light bulbs with LEDs.
- Visit our Energy Solutions page to learn more about the rebates KEC may offer to help members reduce their electric consumption. Terms and conditions apply.
If you avoid the simultaneous use of large electrical appliances during the peak hours, or use those appliances outside of peak hours, you will help reduce power costs for the cooperative. See the example in the graphic below. As a member-owned electric cooperative, our goals are quite simple: to provide dependable electric power at competitive rates. The reality is when we all use less energy during peak hours, we all save money.
