Shifting high energy usage activities to off-peak times (before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. on weekdays) can help create savings when Time-Of-Use rates are in effect. It may take a little practice to get accustomed to doing so, but it could be worth your while in savings.
Plan to do your household chores like laundry, cooking, washing dishes, and vacuuming during the 20 off-peak hours per day, or on weekends. In addition to utilizing a lower rate for the appliances themselves like washing machines, clothes dryers, and dishwashers, you will also be saving on the cost of operating your water heater by operating it at the off-peak rate. The difference between Off-Peak and Peak pricing is a relatively small amount, but you will save $0.0753 on each kWh used by opting to conduct these activities during Off-Peak hours.
A major concern is air conditioning. Cool your home as much as possible during off-peak hours, and then raise the temperature during the peak. You can use fans during this time to circulate the air and make it feel cooler. Remember, your ceiling fans should be set to spin counterclockwise in the summer. Both ceiling and floor fans are economical to operate if they are turned off when people are not in the room. Consider “Super Cooling”. Energy efficiency expert and radio personality Rosie Romero proposes pre-chilling your home to coast through peak rate periods. By chilling things long enough cold enough, and at the right time of day, you can save money on air conditioning. Romero advises setting your thermostat to 68 to 74 degrees throughout off-peak times.
If you feel too cool, put on a sweater. Then when the peak rate to kicks in, move the thermostat up to the warmest temperature that you usually live at in the summer. For most, that will be 78-80 degrees. For some time, the chill in walls, furniture, flooring, etc. will help keep the house cool. The extent to which this plan works depends on how much insulation your home has, how often doors are opened, whether you have closed thermal draperies, etc. Romero claims to have had homeowners who’ve purchased 90% and more of their total power off-peak. While RGEC makes no first-hand claims as to the success of this, we have heard from members who reported good results by “cool coasting” the 4-hour peak.
Regardless of which type of cooling system you have, it’s very important from an energy-efficiency standpoint to keep the filters clean. The outside unit should be kept free of debris that can block the airflow. Shading the unit will also help it operate more efficiently.
The SmartHub app is a valuable energy-saving tool. You can track your energy usage and set alerts for high usage, using whatever limits you select. To get Smart Hub, go to www.riogrande. coop and click “Register for Online Access” from the Login & Pay Your Bill graphic on the homepage.
Parting Thoughts & Conservation
- Turn off unused appliances, electronics, and lights, when not in use.
- Items with a transformer plug at the end of the cord draw power even when not in use. So if not in use, unplug these altogether.
- Consider adjusting the temperature of your water heater. You may find that you prefer cooler water during the summer.
Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 is an Off-Peak Day.