Knowledge is power: Avoiding power grid ‘rush hour’
Electricity is flowing constantly to supply power to homes and businesses along Walton EMC’s lines. Power demand — how much electricity is being used at any given time — varies with the time of day, day of the week and the time of year.
Peak demand is when most members use electricity at the same time. Pete Ervin, Walton EMC’s member services specialist, compares peak demand to rush hour traffic on the interstate.
“For a few hours a day, when the cars are bumper-to-bumper, the interstate is at ‘peak’ demand,” he said.
It works the same way for power grids. “When everyone comes home from work and starts cooking dinner, washing and drying clothes, and taking showers, we’re creating rush hour for the power system,” he added.
In summer, peaks occur on hot afternoons, typically between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Winter peaks most often occur on cold mornings between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Better managing peak demand is key to controlling the co-op’s power costs, which keeps electricity affordable for all, Ervin said. Here are simple things you can do to help reduce peak demand.
- Install a smart thermostat. Set it to raise in the summer and lower in the winter when you leave for the day.
- Stagger major appliance use. Use appliances like your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, oven and water heater at off-peak times.
- Use a timer. Schedule appliances like your dishwasher or pool pump to run when demand isn’t at its highest.
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