Emerald People's Utility District (EPUD) customers use the most energy between 5 and 9 pm during the summer, largely due to running air conditioning in the afternoon when they return home from work or school. In the winter, energy usage is greatest from 6 to 10 am because many customers turn on their heating systems to warm their homes when they get out of bed in the morning.
Like the influx of drivers on a busy highway during rush hour, customer demand for power dramatically increases during peak hours.
For EPUD, peak demand typically occurs between the hours of 5 pm and 9 pm in the summer, and between 6 am and 10 am in the winter. During these periods, wholesale power is more expensive and our physical infrastructure is heavily loaded.
What Does This Mean for You?
By reducing your energy usage during peak hours, you help us reduce pricey power purchases. It's a partnership that benefits the utility, but also benefits you by helping us keep our rates low.
You Can Help!
Simple steps like running your appliances during non-peak hours can make a big difference. See below for ideas on adjusting your appliance schedule this summer.
- Instead of using your dishwasher, oven, washer and dryer, and water heater all at once during the late afternoon and/or early evening, try spreading out the usage by using one at a time.
- Consider doing laundry and chores that require heavy energy usage earlier in the day or later in the evening. You might also consider waiting until the weekend to do these chores.
- Set timers to run appliances outside of peak hours.
- Reduce heating and air conditioning energy usage during peak hours by installing a programmable thermostat.
Want to learn more? Call our energy efficiency experts at (541) 746-1583.