What’s Demand?
You might have heard us talk about our “demand response program” or the importance of using energy off-peak to lower our demand. But what exactly is “demand” when it comes to electricity? Simply put, demand is the amount of energy needed at a specific moment, think of it like the speedometer in your car.
- Picture yourself in the driver’s seat of your car for a moment.
- Energy (kWh) would be what is recorded on your car’s odometer – a measurement of total miles.
- Demand (kW) is like your speedometer – measuring the speed at which the energy flows.
- The demand reading is like the highest recorded speed for that month.
Think of the electrical grid like a freeway.
It has to be built to accommodate the largest amount of traffic it could see at one time even if there are less cars using it most of the time. During “high-traffic” or high-demand times, energy is more expensive.
By spreading out your electricity use throughout the day and evenings, you can help the cooperative save on high-demand charges. These savings are passed onto members and ensures a more reliable and balanced grid for everyone.
When is Demand High?
“Rush hour” for demand occurs weekdays between 1-6 p.m. in the summer and between 6-10 a.m. in the winter. These are typically the times when air conditioning units or your home’s heating system is running the most.
How Can I Reduce My Demand?
Spread out using major appliances across separate 15-minute periods throughout the day. Major electrical appliances that may contribute to high demand costs include the air conditioner, heater, clothes dryer, water heater, electric range and oven.
Why is Reducing Demand Important?
By reducing your demand, you help your cooperative save on the wholesale power we buy. As your local co-op, we pass those savings along to members. Reducing electric demand is also good for the environment. Spreading out your energy use can help you go green and save green even if you use the same overall amount of energy.
Check out the graphic below for a visual of how spreading out your electricity can help us keep a more level load on our power grid so that we can keep delivering affordable and reliable energy.