When the heat peaks on summer afternoons, so does the demand on our electric grid. Air conditioners run longer. Refrigerators work harder. We come home from work and cook dinner, run the laundry, wash dishes and do other daily chores.
At Broad River Electric Cooperative, our priority is delivering safe, reliable and affordable power whenever you need it. That job is hardest on summer afternoons—usually between 3–7 p.m.—when all the homes and businesses we serve simultaneously use more electricity. We call these our “peak hours.”
On the hottest days, these peaks can place significant strain on our grid, which impacts us all. It causes price spikes for the wholesale electricity we purchase and deliver to you. In the most extreme cases, which we have thankfully avoided in South Carolina thus far, demand peaks can combine with other challenges to cause energy shortages—leading to what’s known as rolling blackouts.
There are two ways to ensure we have enough power for these peaks. One is difficult and expensive: adding to our energy supplies by building power plants or importing out-of-state power. The other is easy and actually saves you money: reducing energy demand during peak hours.
It might be helpful to think of the electric grid like a highway. During rush hour, traffic is heavy, congestion builds and everything slows down. But when smart commuters adjust their schedules or take alternate routes, they avoid the frustration of sitting in traffic, and they help ease the bottleneck. The same principle applies to energy.
If we can make small changes to our daily habits to reduce our energy use during peak hours, we can reduce grid strain and lower the energy costs we all share. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Do the laundry and run your dishwasher in the morning before work or in the evening before bed.
- Raise your thermostat by a few degrees and run fans, which are energy efficient, during peak hours. This will lighten the load of your air conditioning unit, your home’s most energy-intensive appliance. PRO TIP: In addition to running ceiling and box fans, you can stay comfortable even at a higher thermostat setting by programming your thermostat to pre-cool your home ahead of peak hours.
- Consider using a slow cooker, air fryer or outdoor grill instead of the oven, which can heat up your home and make your AC unit work even harder.
- Most of all, stagger your use of appliances during peak hours.
These actions are small on their own, but they add up when we all participate. As a member of Broad River Electric, you’re part of a community working together to power our future. We all share the same goals: keeping the lights on at a reasonable price.
This summer, I encourage you to take a closer look at your daily routines in the same way you would rethink your route to work during rush hour. A few easy adjustments can keep the grid running smoothly, keep you comfortable and keep your power costs in check.
