Did you know that during peak times of 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the extreme hottest days, electricity costs more?
If you can lower your family’s electric use during peak hours, you can help keep our electric rates stable. Please try to shift your use of electricity to earlier or later in the day during hot days (and the coldest winter days). Make sure to turn off things that are not in use or not necessary. Here are some simple ways you can help:
- Put off laundry until after the peak period
- Avoid running the dishwasher until after the peak period
- Wait to shower
- Avoid using major appliances
- Turn up the thermostat just 2-4 degrees
How much does this help? The list below shows how much it costs the cooperative when you have one of these items on during a peak hour. This is a cost we continue to pay every month on our wholesale power bill — even long after the month you used the item during the peak hour.
100 watt light bulb.........................................................78¢
20 watt efficient light bulb .........................................16¢
Television ...................................................................$1.56
Computer, printer, etc.............................................$2.34
Dishwasher................................................................$7.81
Swimming pool pump............................................$15.62
Air conditioner..........................................................$23.43
Clothes dryer............................................................$27.34
Electric oven.............................................................$31.24
The time varies with each peak, and Midwest Electric will notify our members of the specific time frame via our Facebook page. If you know hot weather is coming, please be on the lookout for updates from us regarding peak alerts.
This is an opportunity for all our members to save money. By conserving during peak times, you help keep rates low!
Our load management programs, including peak alerts, Cool Returns, and other radio-controlled switches, save the cooperative $500,000 a year in lower power supply costs! Learn more about load management by watching the video below.