We have talked a lot this year about energy demand, and for good reason. Demand is one of the biggest drivers of your cooperative’s costs. But it’s also one of the most misunderstood topics in the energy world. Let’s clear up five common myths.
Myth 1: Demand and energy use are the same thing.
Fact: Energy use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), is the total electricity you consume over time. Demand, measured in kilowatts (kW), is how much power you are pulling at a single moment. Two households can use the exact same kilowatt-hours in a month and have completely different demand. The difference is timing.
Myth 2: I have to worry about demand all the time.
Fact: Focus on lowering your demand during our peak times. During the winter, you will want to shift energy use away from 6-10 a.m. on weekdays and during the summer away from weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Shifting your demand away from these time periods will help lower our system-wide peak demand.
Myth 3: My TV, laptop and phone chargers are the problem.
Fact: Small electronics add only small amounts to your demand. The real drivers are big appliances running at the same time: the air conditioner, electric heat, water heater, oven, dryer and dishwasher. If you want to lower your demand, then focus on spreading out your use of large appliances.
Myth 4: The only way to lower demand is to use less energy.
Fact: You don’t have to give anything up. Running major appliances one after another instead of all at once lowers your peak demand without changing your total use. Spreading out energy use is the second lever, right alongside using less.
Myth 5: If I am not on the demand rate, my demand does not matter.
Fact: Your co-op pays for power based in part on our system-wide peak demand. When we all reduce our energy use at peak times, the whole cooperative saves, and as a not-for-profit, we pass those savings along to members.
Curious about your own demand? Log in to SmartHub to see your usage and demand broken out by day and hour or call us at 800.222.3107.
Want to get on our residential demand rate? Visit pemc.coop/demand-rate to learn more and sign up.