Opinion: Beat the heat while cooling energy costs

To the editor:

None of us can control what happens to energy prices on the world stage. But we consumers do have one tool we’re barely using that can help keep our electricity costs lower all year. It’s called shaving the peak.

On peak summer days, when the temperature hits 90 or higher, demand goes way up because of air conditioning. Then it really spikes when people get home from work and start using electricity for cooking, cleaning, and entertainment.

“Peaker plants” fire up with oil, coal,or gas, creating huge spikes, quadrupling or more electricity costs to our utility.

The real kicker is that utilities are required to be able to meet peak demand at any time.

So the peak increases the costs we pay all year. If we can keep demand down on peak days, we can actually help keep our rates low. Plus, shaving the peak will reduce your own electric bill

Here are a few ways you can shave the peak, from 4-9 pm on 90+-degree days:

 Get your house nice and cool at night and morning, close the shades, then turn the AC to 78 from 4 to 9 p.m. .

 Delay using the washer/dryer, oven, dishwasher, and TV and delay charging laptop, phone, and other batteries till after 9 p.m.

Turn off lights and fans you’re not using; pool pumps (a huge energy suck); and unplug anything with a box on the cord.

Find other ways to keep cool: salads, cold soups, frozen desserts, iced drinks; mini-showers; or a dip in a pool or lake.

Find more tips at sustainablemiddleborough.org

Kimberly French, Board President

sustainablemiddleborough.org