Beat the Peak this Summer
As summer temperatures rise, so too do our electric bills. As your not-for-profit power provider, Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC) is committed to helping you stay cool while managing energy costs. This summer, we encourage you to “beat the peak” by making small changes that can lead to big savings.
Understanding Peak Charges
When I shared the 2025 power rates at our recent Annual Meeting, several members had questions about peak charges. It was a good reminder that a quick refresher on what peak charges are – and how they affect your monthly electric bill – could be helpful. While we introduced this concept a few years ago, it continues to play a key role in how rates are structured and understanding it can help members make more informed energy decisions.
A peak occurs when electricity demand is at its highest. Most members experience daily peaks, typically in the morning or evening. When many members use electricity at the same time, it creates a peak on MEC’s system. Because electricity must be generated the moment it’s needed, meeting these peaks can require more expensive resources, as they are more challenging to predict and manage. By shifting energy usage to off-peak hours, you can help MEC reduce demand charges from our wholesale power provider, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and ultimately lower costs for all members.
When Are Peak Hours?
MEC’s peak hours are Monday through Friday from 7-10 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. (excluding weekends and major federal holidays). During these time frames, our metering system identifies the highest hourly electricity usage during peak hours and records it as that day’s peak. At the end of the billing period, our system analyzes all daily peaks and selects the highest value – this becomes your monthly peak. The monthly peak is multiplied by the peak rate ($2.00) to determine your peak charge for that billing cycle.
Think of rush hour traffic. During rush hour, more cars are on the road, causing congestion. To avoid it, you may travel at a quieter time. Similarly, when a rush of members use electricity at the same time – like mornings before work or evenings after work – it creates a peak in demand (think road congestion). By reducing energy use during these times, we ease the strain on the electrical system, lowering costs for both MEC and our members.
Reduce Your Peak
Reducing peak usage doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing comfort or convenience. Small adjustments can have a significant impact.
Below are a few easy ways to shift your electricity use:
• Spread out appliance use – Instead of running multiple major appliances at once, stagger their use throughout the day.
• Do laundry off-peak – Run washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers mid-day, later in the evening, or on the weekends.
• Use a smart thermostat – Set your thermostat to adjust temperatures outside of peak hours to reduce heating and cooling demands.
• Cook outside when possible – this can reduce indoor heat and lighten the load on your air conditioner.
Why It Matters
The peak charge allows members to have more control over their bills. Previously, the only way a member could lower energy costs was to use less electricity. Now, members can save money by simply being strategic about when they use appliances.
Working Together for a Stronger Cooperative
Managing electricity demand benefits everyone. Working together to reduce peak usage can help lower rates, ensure reliability, and prevent strain on the power grid. Conserving energy during peak hours also helps minimize the need to dispatch more costly generating resources necessary to meet every member’s needs. At MEC, we are committed to transparency and helping our members make informed decisions. If you have questions about peak charges or want to explore additional energy-saving strategies, visit our Peak Charge webpage or contact us directly.
Let’s work together to beat the peak this summer!
