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Understanding Energy Demand and Usage
At Access Energy Cooperative, we understand that electric bills can be complicated, but understanding how you are billed can help you learn how to control it.
Generally, utilities charge a basic fee for service, which is called the "Base Charge" for Access Energy Cooperative members. The "Energy Charge" on your bill is the charge for how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) or the amount of electricity you used for the month. Understanding the "Demand Charge" of an energy bill is more complicated and
ing a 15-minute interval in your billing cycle. The best way to reduce demand is by spreading your electric usage over time.
WHAT IS DEMAND?
Electric demand is the rate at which electricity is used at a given time and is measured in kilowatts (kW). Beginning April 1, 2024, single-phase accounts will be charged for demand, and the energy charge will be reduced. Large commercial and large power accounts are already charged for demand.
To put this into context, think about how your dishwasher and washing machine both use electricity. The amount of electricity they use is the same regardless of when you use them. If you use them at the same time, you demand more electricity at that time. If you use them at different times, your demand is lower.
EXAMPLE OF DEMAND SCENARIO
When your washing machine runs for an hour, it uses 0.7 kW — which is your demand on our system for power.
When your dishwasher runs for an hour, it uses 1.8 kW.
If you run both of them at the same time, your demand would be 2.5 kW. Your demand becomes the total of the two because you need that much power at the same time.
If you could change your habits and run only one of them at a time, your highest demand for those two hours would be 1.8 kW, because it is the most demand you used at one time. The highest demand you set in one month is the highest amount of electricity used at once during a
15-minute interval in your billing cycle. The best way to reduce demand is by spreading your electric usage over time.
If you ever have questions about your electric bill, or questions about demand, please contact us at 866-242-4232
Demand Questions
