It Matters How You Use Electricity
What is Power Peak?
Measured in kilowatts, the Power Peak (otherwise known as demand) is the maximum amount of electrical power demanded from your home at a particular time, within your last billing period.
The more power you use in your home in one instant – like when you run your dishwasher, dry a load of laundry, and run your vacuum cleaner at the same time - the more generation resources and distribution equipment (think coal, solar power, power lines, substations) it takes to meet your electricity needs in that instant.
Members can view their “Power Peak” on their printed bill and in PVREA's App. PVREA is providing each members’ Power Peak on the bill because it gives more insight to members about how they are using electricity.
How can I control or lower my Power Peak?
Instead of using multiple appliances at once, stagger the use of major appliances throughout your day. For example, run a load of laundry in the morning instead of in the evening when you are using other appliances. Make it easier by utilizing technology that helps you remember to offset energy use like timers, delay start settings, mobile apps, and programmable thermostats, like a Nest thermostat!
Manage your Power Peak!
FAQs
Your electric bill will show what your Power Peak, or demand, was for the previous billing cycle.
The Power Peak was your highest 15-minute interval of energy consumption during that billing period, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). PVREA is providing each members’ Power Peak on the bill because it gives more information to members about how they are using electricity.
Members can also see their Power Peak, or demand, in their online account. Here’s how. In your online account, go to My Usage in the Nav bar.
Select My Usage in the dropdown menu. Click on “Use the Usage Explorer tool” button. Change your “usage type” to kWh and Demand (kw).
Major appliances used for heating and cooling, cooking, and laundry are your home’s largest energy consumers and have the greatest impact on your overall energy usage and demand. The more appliances or devices you run at the same time, the higher your Power Peak.
Depending on your home, family size and appliances, your Power Peak will vary, and your highest Power Peak may be different from other members.
In the summer months, your Power Peak may be higher due to air conditioning, pool pumps, fountains, hot tubs, irrigation motors or power tools and compressors.
In the winter, Power Peak is driven by electric heat or space heaters, stock tank heaters, heat lamps, electric fireplaces, and increased usage for holiday lighting, cooking and entertaining.
Understanding the wattage ratings of your household appliances will help you take even more control of your energy use. Listings of common wattage ratings can be found by searching online.
No, there is no charge. PVREA is providing each members’ Power Peak on the bill because it gives more insight to members about how they are using electricity.