Peak Alerts and Load Management

Helping keep power reliable — and your bill as low as possible

Many people in our community are facing challenging times, and no one wants to see rising electric bills. As your not‑for‑profit cooperative, we work every day to keep costs down and power reliable. One of the most effective tools we use is Load Management, which includes issuing Peak Alerts during the highest‑demand hours of the year.

A peak is one of the few hours each year when electricity demand across our region is the highest.

Peaks typically occur:

Summer: 3–7 p.m. on very hot days
Winter: Early morning and early evening on extremely cold days

Even though peaks occur in fewer than 1% of hours in a year, they account for a large portion of what Midwest Electric must pay for future power supply and transmission.

When our peak goes up, future power costs go up. When we reduce demand, we help keep costs stable for everyone.

A Peak Alert is a request from Midwest Electric asking members to voluntarily conserve electricity use during high‑demand hours. We issue Peak Alerts when:

It’s extremely hot in the summer
It’s extremely cold in the winter
The regional PJM grid is experiencing high demand — even if Ohio’s weather is mild

Because Buckeye Power is part of the 13‑state PJM grid, demand in other states can affect the cost we pay here at home.

A load management switch is a small radio‑controlled device installed at no cost on electric water heaters and certain air‑conditioning systems. The switch helps reduce electricity use during Peak Alerts.

Water Heater Switches

Temporarily turn off the heating elements during a Peak Alert
Modern water heaters retain heat for long periods, so hot water remains available
Large amounts of hot water use should be delayed until after the Peak

Cool Returns A/C Switches

Cycle the compressor off for about 10 minutes within a 30‑minute cycle
Cool air continues to circulate
Your thermostat is never controlled
The switch does not harm your equipment or affect comfort

These brief adjustments help flatten the peak, lowering future power costs for the entire cooperative.

Members who participate may qualify for discounted rates or rebates.

Your cooperative’s power costs are based on:

The five highest hours of energy demand across the entire PJM system between June 1 and September 30, on non-holiday weekdays
The single highest hour of energy demand for the transmission providers serving Buckeye Power, any day of the year

Reducing demand during these moments directly lowers what Midwest Electric must pay — and those savings flow back to you.

Stay Informed During Peak Alerts

Watch for Peak Alert updates by email, text, our website, and social media
Alerts are issued ahead of extreme hot or cold weather
Load Management reduces demand during the highest‑use hours
These efforts save Midwest Electric over $500,000 each year in wholesale power costs
Learn more by watching our Peak Alert video

Radio-controlled switch lights, what do they mean?

Green light on (solid or blinking): The switch has power
Red light on: The switch is actively controlling load during a Peak Alert
Both lights on: Normal operation during a Peak Alert
No lights: The appliance may not be receiving power or the switch may not be operating properly
- Check the breaker
- Once power is restored, lights may take 5–10 minutes to reappear