Peak Load & Load Management

What does it mean? Why should I care?

Peak Load

Your household and family members are consuming electricity at any given time. This is known as “load.” All of the electric consumption from all our consumer-owners is added up at any given time to determine the total load for the whole system.

There comes a time, every day, when the system reaches its peak. That’s when all of you, all at once, are using the most electricity. Summer time (June, July August and September) is when Flint Hills RECA experiences its maximum peak load on the system. This usually occurs between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and on the days that the temperature reaches 95+ degrees

Peak Load is monitored closely to determine the amount of power required to fulfill this demand. This peak load also is the determining factor in establishing the yearly rates at which Flint Hills RECA has to buy its power.

Load Management

The way to help keep electric rates stable is to reduce this peak load. This is called “load management.” Flint Hills RECA has implemented a load management program of installing load control units at some residences throughout our district. These units are installed on air conditioning units and electric water heaters. But the number of these units installed is small compared to the number of residences we have in our district. There are some things you can do at home that can help whether you have these units or not.

Since the late afternoon to early evening is the peak time for us, you can help by using major appliances, such as the washer and dryer in the morning, or later on in the evening. When preparing dinner, remember that slow cookers and other small appliances consume less electricity. And sometimes those other daily chores that consume electricity can be rescheduled also.

If you have any questions about load management or what you can do to help, just give us a call. Using energy wisely helps to keep the electric rates stable and reduces the need to invest in new power sources.