What is "Beat the Peak"?

“Beat the Peak” is a program designed to encourage members to become more aware of the energy they use and to reduce their energy usage during PEAK demand periods. PEAK demand periods occur when the demand for electricity is the highest – when the weather is very hot or very cold.  (During these PEAK periods, the REMC is charged a higher cost from our power supplier, Hoosier Energy.)

Summer Peaks: June-August, weekdays, noon to 10pm
W inter Peaks: December-February, weekdays, 7-10am or 6-9pm

3 major factors affect the price of electricity:

• price of fuel (coal and gas) needed to generate power
• cost to comply with environmental regulations
• the demand for power

So, if we can all work together to help reduce the demand during these PEAK times, we can reduce the REMC’s power costs and minimize the increases to you on your monthly electric bill.

Here’s how the “Beat the Peak” program will work:

When the REMC determines that a PEAK period is approaching, we will alert all participants by e-mail, text message to their cell phone, or phone call as to the anticipated day and time of the PEAK period. This alert will be published and sent up to 24 hours before the scheduled PEAK period. The message will also suggest the following ways to help limit your energy consumption:

• Adjusting your thermostat by 3 degrees, (up in summer and down in winter)
• Delaying the usage of major appliances in your home such as dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers,
• Delaying your hot water usage, and
• Turning off all unneeded lights and appliances in your home.

Our goals in introducing the “Beat the Peak” program are:

• control future wholesale power costs,
• use our electricity resources wisely, and
• minimize future rate increases to our members.

Together we can make a difference and “Beat the Peak”.