What is a Peak Alert?
A period during extremely cold temperatures when electricity is most expensive due to high demand. Lowering your use helps keep our rates stable.
Did you know that during peak times of 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the hottest and coldest days, electricity costs more?
Ways to Conserve
What do to during a peak alert:
- Lower your thermostat 2 to 5 degrees
- Turn off unnecessary lights
- Postpone household chores
- Wait until after the peak to shower
Due to the extremely cold forecast, a peak alert is likely this weekend, January 24 and 25, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. peak alerts are also possible over the next few days in the early morning and evening hours. During a peak alert, energy demand across the grid is high, meaning electricity is most expensive. We ask that you conserve energy during this time to help keep rates low and stabilize the grid.
If you have a radio-controlled switch on your electric water heater, it will be activated during the peak. The switch on your device should always have a green light on; when a red light is visible, it means a peak alert is in effect and the device is activated. You will not have additional hot water if your tank Radio control switch runs out during the peak, so we encourage you to shower before or after the peak.
Simple things you can do to save money during a peak include delaying large appliance usage, turning off unnecessary lights, delaying hot water use, and turning the thermostat down a few degrees until the peak has ended. This past year, members who participated in load control helped the co-op save about $606,000, which is passed onto members.
For updates, please follow our Facebook page or ensure you are enrolled in peak alert text or email notifications through SmartHub. Alerts are dependent on weather and may change.
Share our Peak Alert post on Facebook for a chance to win $25.
Thank you for your help conserving!