Starting with August bills, a new line item was added to residential accounts for “demand.” Demand is the maximum amount of energy being used at a given time, and is recorded in 60-minute intervals over the course of the month. The 60-minute interval with the highest demand (kW) is used to calculate the monthly peak demand on your bill.

There are three ways that members can reduce their demand.

1. Off-peak: Heating/cooling equipment, water heating, and EV charging connected to the off-peak program will not incur a demand charge because the loads are used during off-peak hours.
2. Energy Efficiency: When it comes time to replace your heating/cooling system, consider a more energy-efficient option, such as an air source heat pump or geothermal heat pump.
3. Timing: As more appliances in your home run at the same time, your demand for power increases. Certain appliances - such as electric ovens, dishwashers, and clothes dryers – demand more power from the grid. That’s why not running them at the same time is important to minimize demand. Lower your demand by not using too many high-power appliances at the same time. By spreading out your electric use, you’ll have more control over your electric bill and help Beltrami Electric lower overall peak demand costs as well.