What is peak demand?
Most of us tend to use more electricity later in the day, between about 4pm and 8pm. This is when we switch on the lights, air conditioning, TV and computer, and start cooking, having showers and washing clothes. All of this evening activity contributes to a significant spike in residential energy usage and what we refer to as peak demand.
Queensland's rapidly expanding population places extra strain on our electricity supply and also contributes to peak demand.
How does it affect you?
At Ergon Energy we invest millions of dollars each year in the infrastructure to help our network support demand during peak times and to avoid power outages. The cost of investing in this infrastructure is one of the causes of increasing electricity prices.
Although nobody likes to see prices rise, it's our responsibility to ensure a reliable electricity supply continues to meet our region's ever-increasing energy demands. To keep our electricity costs as low as possible, we all need to be smarter about how and when we use power. While we've developed a number of programs and strategies to help reduce the effects of peak demand, there's also plenty you can do.
What can you do to help?
Reducing peak demand is not about stopping using electricity altogether but about stopping and thinking when and how you use appliances. Give these useful tips a try:
- Use only necessary appliances and switch off others when they're not being used
- Set your air-conditioner to an energy-efficient 25 degrees
- Put the dishwasher on before you go to bed, rather than straight after dinner
- Switch appliances like pool pumps, hot water systems and dishwashers to an economy tariff.
By following these simple steps, you'll be doing your bit to help reduce electricity demand during peak times.
