WCEC Program Offers Summer Savings
WCEC’s Load Management Program began in the early 1980s in an effort to lower wholesale power costs. And since that time, the program has saved our membership millions of dollars in power costs.
WCEC’s power is generated by and purchased from South Texas Electric Cooperative. The cost for our power is based on peak demand — or the highest amounts of power that we use throughout the year. If we can lower our peak demand, our power costs can be lowered, and this means lower costs for you, our members.
Generally, peak demand for WCEC occurs in the summer months of June, July, August and September between the hours of 3:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m. The Load Management Program involves electrical relay devices that are connected to the largest power-consuming appliances in our members’ homes — the A/C compressor and water heater. During times of predicted peak demand, load is shed to the connected appliances reducing demand for that time period. Load shed means a signal is sent to each relay and power is cycled off to the connected appliance.
A/C compressors are cycled off for 7.5 minutes twice per hour during load shed. The compressor is the hardest working part of the cooling system. It also uses the most electricity. The cooling system’s fan continues to circulate air during the 7.5 minutes to maintain the home’s comfort during load shed.
Water heaters are cycled off for 3-4 hours. Since load shed takes place between 3-7 p.m., most water heaters are not in use or are used minimally during this time. Tasks that do require hot water during these times such as washing dishes or cooking can usually be completed using the water already heated and stored in the tank.
On average, the Load Management Program is activated 5-6 times per month during June, July, August, and September. Members participating in our Load Management Program are normally not even aware that load has been shed to their home’s connected appliances. However, Load Management alerts are posted on WCEC’s social media along with our Beat the Peak alerts encouraging all members to conserve electricity during peak times.
Members are compensated for participating in the Load Management Program through a $25 bill credit per installed relay device during the summer months. Most households save $200/year with one A/C relay and one water heater relay in the home.
Currently, over 1,500 relay devices are installed throughout the WCEC system. To ensure that the Load Management Program remains as efficient and up-to-date as possible, existing relays are being replaced with new relays systematically over the next few years.
Those members wishing to schedule this replacement ahead of the 2024 season, can contact our office at 979-543-6271.
Reducing peak demand is wise energy use that helps reduce costs – for you and all members of WCEC. In 2023 alone, over $2.2 million in savings was seen due to Load Management.
If you would like to join the Load Management Program, call the WCEC office or sign up online at MyWCEC.coop/LoadManagement.