A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY
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matters MEMBERSHIP
August 2017
Did you know...by voluntarily shifting the time you use larger
appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers, you can help reduce the need for electricity during peak times. Simply schedule those chores for in the morning or after 6 p.m. in the summer.
What's in it for me? Do you want to keep costs down for yourself and every member of your cooperative? When members join together, you can have a bigger impact on keeping bills low. You’ve probably heard that reducing your power use during peak demand times helps lower the cost of the power purchased by your not-for-profit electric cooperative. This, in turn, holds down costs for members. But what exactly is “peak demand?” Peaks typically occur on the hottest and coldest days of the year. These are times when members use the most air conditioning or heating, all at the same time. Appliances, lighting and electronics are in use as well. This creates periods of a “peak” in demand for electricity. Your cooperative pays the highest rates for electricity during peak demand periods. This is because wholesale power suppliers are working at maximum
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capacity to generate and fulfill power needs from many different users all at once. By reducing the amount of electricity needed during higher-cost peak periods, it helps keep the price we pay for wholesale power as low as possible, which in turn keeps your power bill as low as possible. To control costs, we have to “beat the peak!” That’s why Blue Ridge Energy is asking each member to volunteer! Take steps to reduce electricity consumption during the late afternoons in July and August. These are typically the hottest times of summer and produce peak demand periods. Here are a few ways you can help: Raise your thermostat a few degrees; turn off unnecessary lights; shift doing laundry until late evening; try grilling dinner outdoors instead of using your oven. Any steps you take to reduce electricity usage to help beat the peak will help control costs! That’s a win-win for all of us!
7/10/17 2:47 PM