Make every watt count this winter! In March, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is assessing a new billing component for residential members — an excess demand charge. This charge is an important part of our ongoing efforts to manage energy demand and lower overall costs.
What is the Excess Demand Charge?
- A 50-cent charge per kilowatt, or kW, of demand that exceeds a threshold of 3 kW during specific peak hours.
- The charge is based on your highest energy demand on the most demanding day of the month during the winter season — specifically, November through February.
Why These Specific Winter Months?
From November through February, the demand for early-morning heating surges with intense weather events like cold fronts and polar vortexes. This seasonal peak in energy use impacts our wholesale power costs year-round, necessitating a more strategic approach to energy management.
Winter Peak Hours Are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
This is the time when WEC, in sync with our wholesale energy supplier PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, experiences its highest demand. These “red zone” hours are crucial — they are when members’ conscious and collective energy use can make a real difference.
Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is committed to providing cost-effective, reliable power. Remember, your actions during these crucial winter months can lead to savings throughout the year. Let’s work together to manage our collective energy use smartly.