Did you know that during peak times of 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the hottest and coldest days, electricity costs more?
Beat the Peak is a free, voluntary program encouraging members to shift electric use away from the peak-use hours anytime between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the hottest and coldest days of the year. The time varies with each peak, and PPEC will notify our members of the specific time frame via social media, text, and/or email. The price PPEC pays for electricity rises sharply during those times, so Beat the Peak allows members to help PPEC reduce costs associated with power. This is an opportunity for all our members to save money! By conserving during peak times, you help keep PPEC rates low!
*Note: When we issue a peak alert on very hot days in the PJM grid system, we are asking members to limit their electricity use for financial reasons (to keep our rates lower over time), NOT for generation capacity reasons. We are not expecting a shortage of power; we are simply asking members to reduce energy consumption during peak usage to help save our members money over time and keep our rates as low as possible. It takes everyone chipping in to make a difference! Please call our office with any questions at 800-686-2357.*
How much does this help? This list shows approximately 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 — 80¢
20 watt efficient light bulb — 17¢
Television — $1.61
Computer, printer, etc. — $2.41
Dishwasher — $8.04
Swimming pool pump — $16.08
Air conditioner — $24.12
Clothes dryer — $28.14
Electric oven — $32.16
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Peak Alerts Information Video
All it takes is making some simple changes at home, including:
- Raising the thermostat in your home by 3 degrees during peak hours.
- Shifting your use of hot water away from the peak-demand hours.
- Avoiding the use of major appliances between the peak hours of 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. or the time frame specified on the top banner of this page.
Together, small changes in how we use electricity can have a big impact on PPEC’s power costs.
A radio-controlled switch (RCS) is a device that is installed on select air conditioning and electric water heater systems. The purpose of the radio-controlled switch is to help prevent the cooperative from exceeding a preset maximum amount of power being consumed by all member loads combined, called a peak. During a peak alert, when the electric use is extremely high, the RCS turns off power to the air conditioning and electric water heater systems in effort to keep rates stable by reducing the peak demand.
EXISTING A/C EQUIPMENT AND WATER HEATERS WITHOUT A PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED Radio Control Switch (RCS) and no rebate issued = $25.00 initial account credit + $5.00 account credit per month during peak months (June-August)
- After receipt the application will be scheduled in the order in which it was received. The consumer will be contacted to set an appointment for installation of the RCS.
- Multiple switches can be installed on multiple appliances. Maximum of $25.00 initial account credit per household. Maximum of $15.00 account credit per year during peak months.
- The RCS must remain operational for the life of the equipment.
All rebates are subject to change and Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative reserves the right to deny any and all rebate requests.
Beat the Peak alerts will be announced on local media, on PPEC social media pages, and by email.