Peak Charge

What’s a Peak and Why Does it Matter?

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.

Is This A New Charge?

In 2022, MEC’s Board of Trustees approved a peak charge for all residential and small-commercial rate categories. While always part of MEC’s energy rate, this charge was separated to better align with how Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) bills MEC for electricity. This change improves transparency and ensures costs are based on a member’s peak electricity usage rather than total energy consumption.

The timing of electricity consumption now has a greater influence on wholesale power costs than ever before. On weekdays, MEC’s electric distribution system experiences two peak periods:

• Morning Peak (7–10 a.m.) – As members prepare for work and school.

• Evening Peak (6–9 p.m.) – When members return home, cook dinner, and complete household tasks.

These periods coincide with the highest regional electricity demand, making power more expensive for the Cooperative to purchase during these times.

How Does It Work?

MEC’s peak hours occur Monday through Friday from 7–10 a.m. and 6–9 p.m., excluding weekends and major federal holidays*. Each weekday, 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 then multiplied by the peak rate, as outlined in MEC’s Rate Schedule, to determine your peak charge for that billing cycle.

The Power is in Your Hands

Some on-peak electricity use, like refrigerators and freezers, is unavoidable. However, high-energy appliances like a dishwasher or washer and dryer can be used outside of peak hours. Here are a few ways to help lower your peak:

• Stagger appliance use – Avoid running multiple major appliances at the same time during peak hours.

• Shift energy-heavy tasks – Do laundry, run the dishwasher, and complete other high-energy chores mid-day, later at night, or on weekends. Use timers to automate off-peak operation.

• Use a programmable thermostat – Reduce heating and cooling during peak hours.

• Upgrade to a smart thermostat – A qualifying smart thermostat for your electric heat pump or furnace can help manage energy use and reduce peaks. Check out MEC’s thermostat rebate program.

 

The goal of the peak charge is to encourage members to use energy more wisely. A member-owned cooperative, the reality is that when MEC members use less energy during peak hours, we all save money.

 

*Major holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.