PEAK ALERT: AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE!
Most of us make an effort to hold
down our electric bill by turning off unnecessary lights, switching
off unwatched televisions, adjusting the thermostat to conserve energy used
for heating or cooling, dialing down the electric water heater to no more
than a 130 degree setting, and by using small appliances as efficiently
as possible.
However, even those of us who strive to
save on our electric bill are occasionally guilty of wasting those savings
by running too much hot water while rinsing dishes or showering. And while
we may switch off a light in an empty room, we sometimes stand for minutes
in front of an open refrigerator door, contemplating a between meals snack.
The point is, saving money on your use of electricity requires common sense,
constant effort, and a good memory.
Another way you can control the cost of
your electricity is by participating in our voluntary PEAK ALERT
Program.
WHY PEAK ALERT?
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative
asks you to participate in a voluntary PEAK ALERT Program
designed to hold down the cost of generating electricity by reducing the
highest demand for electricity. As a general rule, here's when to
expect PEAK ALERTS:
Peak
demand usually occurs in the summer during extremely hot days between 2
and 7 p.m. A winter peak usually occurs on extremely cold winter
days between 5 and 10 a.m. and 5 and 8 p.m.
The reason PEAK ALERT makes
sense is simple. Since electricity can't be stored, it must be produced
on demand, when you turn on an appliance. Generating this much
electricity
during peak demand periods requires the use of additional generators,
which
are more costly to operate. This means it costs more to produce
energy
that you use during peak periods. Since every time your
cooperative
establishes a new peak it raises the cost the cooperative pays for
electricity. A small effort by many cooperative members can make
a big difference.
HOW IT WORKS
PEAK ALERT is used only
when
absolutely necessary to reduce demand charges. It doesn't mean
that we're running out of electricity. It simply means we're striving
to
save cooperative members money. When we anticipate a peak is
about to occur,
we'll make PEAK ALERT announcements on local and area radio stations.
When you hear this alert, it means we're trying to reduce the cost of
your
electricity. Your cooperation and the cooperation of your friends
and neighbors are very important. When you hear a PEAK ALERT
announcement, we ask that you limit your use to one major electrical appliance
at a time, and turn off any lights, televisions, or small appliances when
not in use. Remember, every little bit counts. The money you
save will be your own.
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