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Oconto Electric
Cooperative P.O. Box 168 Oconto Falls, WI 54154-0168 (920) 846-2816 | (800) 472-8410 |
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OEC Newsdesk
You Can Help OEC Save MoneyWe have been telling you for several months about the new wholesale power contract that will take effect in May 2006. The biggest component that will have an impact on your electric bill is the demand charge.Demand is just what it says, the measure of how much power OEC “demands” at any one time. OEC pays a demand charge for the one time during the month that we demand the most power, also called the peak demand. The demand charge is going to increase significantly beginning in May. Previously, we have told you some ways that you can help us reduce the monthly demand charge. Oconto Electric’s load management program consists of being able to shut off, or control, certain types of electric load by using wireless communications. Electric water heaters, electric heat and air conditioners are all loads that OEC can control using Load Management Receivers (LMRs). Now we are again asking you to help us. First, keep in mind these facts: • The peak demand will most often occur during the hottest days each month in summer and the coldest days each month in winter. • The peak demand will never occur on a Saturday or Sunday or between the hours of 8 PM through 8 AM, based on past usage. • Generally speaking, the biggest users of electricity are things that heat or cool. Here are a couple of ways you can help. If you have an electric water heater or any type of electric heat, contact OEC. We would like to talk with you about putting a LMR on those things. Not every type of electric heat application is eligible for an LMR, but we would like to check it out. We MAY also be able to put your electric heat load on our Thermal Storage and Dual Fuel rate, it depends on your individual situation. Anything else that you can schedule to do when demand is low will help reduce our demand charge. Try to use your electric clothes dryer after 8 PM or on the weekends. Set your dish washer to start after 8 PM. If you have an electric oven, bake on the weekends. By going on Oconto Electric’s Time-Of-Use rate you can actually save money doing the things mentioned above. Currently the Time-Of-Use rate consists of paying 14 cents per kilowatt during on-peak hours (8 AM to 8PM, Monday through Friday) but only paying 2.8 cents per kilowatt hour during off-peak hours which is all other times. The current farm, residential and seasonal rate is 6.5 cents for the first 1,500 kilowatt hours and 6 cents per kilowatt hour above 1,500. You can save significantly on your electric bill as you do more things during off-peak hours. The Time-Of-Use rate will change somewhat when the new power contact goes into effect and as soon as we know what that the new rate will be, we’ll let you know. Then you can decide if this is something you want to try. So you have a couple of things to think about: • Become part of our Load Management program. • Save money by switching to the Time-Of-Use rate. • Voluntarily change the way you use electricity to do more during off-peak hours. If you have questions about anything in this article, please call Oconto Electric. We will be glad to talk with you. |