If you look around your home, you likely have more devices and equipment that require electricity than ever before. Our connected lives are increasingly dependent on electricity to function. At the same time, as demand for electricity rises, Bartholomew County REMC must deliver an uninterrupted 24/7 power supply — regardless of market and grid conditions or other circumstances.

As you would expect, based on your family’s habits, electricity use fluctuates throughout the day based on consumer demand. BCREMC must be able to provide enough electricity to meet the energy needs of all members during times of highest energy use, or “peak hours.” 

What you may not know is that we typically pay more for electricity — from Hoosier Energy, our wholesale power provider — during these “energy rush hours.” In addition, the demand for electricity is even higher when it’s especially warm outside, when cooling systems must run longer to cool our homes and businesses during the warmest part of the day.

During peak times, when the cost to produce and purchase power is higher, we encourage you to take simple steps to save energy, such as turning your thermostat up a few notches, turning off unnecessary lights, and avoiding energy intensive chores with large appliances during the peak time of 3-7 p.m. weekdays in June, July and August. 

You can also save energy by plugging electronics and equipment such as computers, printers and TVs into a power strip, then turning it off at the switch. If you have a programmable thermostat, adjust the settings to sync up with the off-peak times and sign up for our Time-Of-Use Rate to reflect the savings on your bill. 

Another benefit of the Time-Of-Use Rate is that it allows greater control over your bill. Reducing the peak demand for electricity impacts the power supply cost to every co-op member. This is particularly noticeable as energy costs have risen across the U.S. See page 8 for more details on the Time-Of-Use Rate. 

Collectively, everyone conserving energy and making small changes can truly make a difference. When we all work together to reduce energy use during periods of high electricity demand, we can relieve pressure on the grid and save a little money along the way.