Did you know that when you use electricity often matters as much as how much electricity you consume?
It’s no surprise that electricity use fluctuates throughout the day based on consumer demand. Early-morning hours, when people start their day, and evening hours, when people return to their homes, are common peak hours for energy use. While mid-day hours are often less demanding.
No matter the ebb and flow of energy use, San Patricio Electric Cooperative has to provide enough electricity to meet the needs of our members. However, the price of power can rise significantly with the energy demand during peak hours.
To reduce peak energy demand and save money, many electric co-ops have created programs to encourage electricity use during off-peak hours––when energy is less expensive to provide.
At San Patricio Electric Cooperative, we offer our Beat the Peak program, requesting that members conserve energy during peak hours. Although the peak exists year-ro
und, Texas is most affected during the hot summer months from June to September. And for SPEC, we usually experience peak load from 3 to 7 p.m., daily.
During this time, we encourage members to use less electricity by providing energy saving tips on our Facebook and Twitter pages, website and in Texas Co-op Power magazine articles.
Similar to saving money by attending a matinee, you can keep more money in your wallet by using electricity during the off-peak time period.
Using less on-peak power means lower costs for the co-op––and ultimately, lower rates for members. By limiting your electricity use during high demand hours, you lower the amount of electricity SPEC has to purchase when prices are sky-high. Those savings trickle down to our members in the form of lower electric bills.
By performing some of your daily chores, like running the dishwasher or doing laundry during off-peak hours, you can help us Beat the Peak. You might also consider, plugging electronic equipment, such as computers, printers, TVs and power tools, into a power strip. That way you can simply turn it off during peak hours.
You can also put technology to work for you. If you have a programmable thermostat, adjust the settings so your heating/cooling system syncs up with the off-peak rate periods. Use automatic timers to run hot tubs, pool pumps, water heaters and other appliances in the same way.
Saving energy can be simple. Remember, by shifting your energy use to off-peak times, you have the power to save on your monthly energy bill.