How and When to Use Energy to Defeat The Peak
When our new rates take effect in April, which reflect customers’ March electric use, many of us will start to watch the clock a little more closely. That’s because the new residential rates include a Peak Hours charge, which is new for our customers.
However, we’re here to give you some easy tips and tricks, primarily moving energy-intensive appliances away from Peak Hours, so you could save money on your power bill.
It’s easy to Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
The new Peak Hours will be:
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in summer months (April-October).
- 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in winter months (November-March).
That gives you 21 hours every day to use big appliances without hitting peak rates. So, your best bet is to run appliances and equipment like clothes dryers, dishwashers and water heaters during the 21 hours of the day that are not Peak Hours.
Consider using a timer for your water heater, so it runs outside of Peak Hours. We also recommend a timer for your pool pump, another energy-heavy device.
A smart thermostat can also help you avoid Peak Hours. You can set it to pre-heat or pre-cool your home, so your heat pump isn’t running during those hours. If you forget, you can adjust the temperature from your smart device, no matter if you’re home or not.
One of my co-workers, who is served by a different power company that also includes a peak charge, was able to cut her bill in half by avoiding peak times. Now, that may not be typical, but staggering or delaying big appliances really made a difference for her.
Starting Feb. 26, you can check out our new, online Santee Cooper Marketplace for energy-saving gadgets, many with built-in discounts and rebates, to help you Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
If you haven’t received one yet, we’re mailing all our residential customers a letter explaining how their bills could be affected by the new rates. It will include a Peak Hours reminder magnet. We recommend you put that on your clothes dryer or dishwasher as a cue to try to avoid peak hours.
We understand this is a change, and we’re here to help. You can find more tips and dig deeper into the rates on DefeatThePeakSC.com. If you still have questions, email customercare@santeecooper.com.
