Defeat The Peak. Bank The Savings.
The Santees and the Coopers are friendly neighbors with a friendly rivalry. Their goal? Saving energy during Peak Hours, those three hours each day when customer demand for electricity surges – and so does the cost to provide it. They’ve mastered the art of timing energy-guzzling appliances, including dishwashers, clothes dryers, heating and cooling systems, and water heaters, to cut their peak demand and lower their electric bills – and they’re here to help you save on yours.
Here’s how it works:
Start by avoiding Peak Hours.
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Peak Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in winter (November-March).
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Peak Hours are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in summer (April-October).
Use energy-intensive appliances during non-peak hours.
The objective is to use big appliances during the 21 hours outside of Peak Hours to lower their bills—without sacrificing convenience—and show the neighborhood how easy it is to join in on the savings.
Ready to follow their lead and save on electric? You, too, can Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
Like the Santees and Coopers, You Can Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
Energy-Use Tips Made Simple
Do shifting and delaying your appliances really make a difference? 100%.
Reduce your electric bill by delaying the dishwasher until after peak hours, running the thermostat and water heater before and after peak hours, using the clothes dryer during the 21 hours outside of peak hours or using just one appliance at a time.
It’s easy to Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
Delay Your Dishwasher
Does running the dishwasher really use that much energy? The answer is yes, and during Peak Hours that energy is more expensive. It’s not the water; it’s the heat. Washing and drying those dishes can crank up your energy use fast. If you shift and delay, you can Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
Pre-Heat or Pre-Cool Your Home
How do we stay comfortable without raising our bills? It’s super easy! In the winter months, we set our thermostat to pre-heat the house before 6 a.m. to ensure cozy mornings and a happy wallet. In summer months, we pre-cool our home before 3 p.m., and then we return the thermostat to our normal seasonal setting after Peak Hours. Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
Set a Water Heater Timer
Can a simple water heater timer save you money? You bet! Program it to heat water before or after winter Peak Hours (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and summer Peak Hours (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), and y’all can enjoy those hot showers with a lower bill. That’s how to Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.
Defer Drying
Ready for a helpful laundry tip? Your dryer is a hard worker, using a lot of energy to dry your laundry, and energy costs more during Peak Hours. So, all you need to do is delay the time you start your dryer until after the peak. The clothes get dry, you save money, and everybody wins. Peak Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the winter (November through March) and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer (April-October). By avoiding energy use during peak hours, you can bank the savings.
Peak Hours
FAQs
The best thing to do is to stagger the use of those appliances. Use one first and, when it's done, use another. To keep your Peak Charge in check, it's best to avoid using all of your high-energy appliances at the same time during Peak Hours.
Many of us don't have appliances with delay-start buttons. Here are some tips to help you Defeat The Peak:
- Set a timer for Peak Hours on your phone.
- Put a note on your dishwasher or clothes dryer with Peak Hours on it. (Santee Cooper is sending magnets to you with this information on it.)
- Remind your family when Peak Hours are, so the whole family is in the know and can help out.
You can purchase water heater timers and smart thermostats at appliance stores, big box hardware stores, and online, among other places. Keep safety in mind and have a licensed electrician install your water heater timer.