Summer heat can mean more electricity use. Air conditioners run longer, refrigerators work harder, and daily routines like cooking and laundry often overlap during the warmest parts of the day. That’s also when the demand for electricity across our community is at its highest.
At Empire Electric Association, our priority is delivering safe, reliable and affordable power whenever you need it. But during peak energy hours — 1 p.m. through 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday — there’s added pressure on the grid as homes and businesses require larger amounts of electricity, all at the same time. On the hottest days, that strain can be significant. The good news is that small changes at home can make a meaningful difference.
Think of our electric grid like a highway system. During rush hour, traffic is heavy, congestion builds, and everything slows down. But when drivers adjust their schedules, even slightly, it helps ease the bottleneck. The same principle applies to energy use.
By shifting some of your high-energy activities to off-peak hours — like doing laundry later in the evening, running the dishwasher before you go to bed, or cooking meals earlier in the day — you’re helping spread out demand. That reduces pressure on the grid during those critical peak hours and can reduce your bill if you are on the Time of Use Demand rate.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to lower energy use during peak hours.
Check the hour before you use the power. Remembering that EEA’s on-peak time is 1 p.m. through 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday can help you decide when to use high energy appliances.
A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust your home’s temperature when demand is highest, helping you stay comfortable while using energy more efficiently. An adjustment of only a few degrees during peak hours can be effective.
Using a slow cooker, air fryer, or outdoor grill instead of the oven keeps your home more comfortable and reduces the need for additional cooling during warmer weather. When it comes to laundry, air-drying clothes or spacing out loads can cut down on energy use and indoor heat. All these choices can reduce your demand charge to save even more.
Don’t overlook ceiling fans, either. They can help you feel several degrees cooler, allowing you to raise your thermostat setting without sacrificing comfort.
These actions may seem small on their own, but together, they add up. Making mindful choices about when and how to use electricity reduces strain on the grid and may help reduce your bill.
As an Empire Electric member, you’re not just a customer — you’re part of a community working together to power our future. Every effort you make contributes to a stronger, more resilient system. That’s the cooperative difference.
This summer, check the hour before you use the power. A few simple shifts can go a long way in keeping your home comfortable, your energy use efficient and our grid running smoothly — no matter how high the summertime temperatures climb.
Andy Carter is the Member Engagement Manager at Empire Electric Association.
