A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO

GARY RAYBON

When You Use Electricity Matters

Did you know you can help Wharton County Electric Cooperative and your fellow members by simply making a few small adjustments to your daily routine? The key to that help is an energy industry concept called time of use.

The electric grid follows the basic economic laws of supply and demand. When a lot of people want something, it’s more expensive; when they don’t, it’s cheaper. That’s why energy prices increase during certain times of the day, when more people are using it.

When people wake up in the morning and turn on their coffee makers, take showers, get ready to go to work and then arrive at the office, demand for electricity swells as computers and buildings power up—and this peak demand has to be met. Electricity use also rises later in the day, when people return home from work and school, turn on their lights, cook dinner, and go about their evening routines. In all cases, infrastructure must be in place to meet that demand day after day. And those peaks in energy use get even higher when it’s especially hot or cold outside, as air conditioners and heaters use extra power.

WCEC pays more for electricity during those morning and evening energy rush hours in two ways: by generating enough electricity at its own power plants to meet the demand peaks or by paying more to purchase electricity from another utility with excess power at those times.

Electric cooperatives are part of a complex industry that’s changing as fast as digital technology, and energy prices can change by the minute. There are many ways you can help your co-op save during these peak hours. Occassionally, you will see us post Beat the Peak alerts on our social media outlets. This is when we need our members’ help the most. During these times especially, follow the tips and tricks on the next page. You can also participate in WCEC’s Load Management program. Details about Load Management can be found on our website or by calling 979-543-6271. 

As a member of an electric cooperative, you and your neighbors own your power provider. Adjusting your time of use can translate to money saved for the co-op and all of its members.

So consider adjusting when and how you use electricity by doing some of those energy-intensive chores outside of peak hours to help level out those energy peaks and valleys.