As a member of Victory Electric, you know how to make smart energy choices that help you save money. But did you know that when you use electricity can be just as important as how much you use?

Throughout the day, energy use fluctuates based on consumer demand. Typically, most households use larger amounts of electricity in the morning when most people are getting ready for their day, and in the evenings when people return from work as they cook dinner, wash clothes, and watch television.  These times when people in our community are using more electricity, often referred to “peak” hours, are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer. The cost for Victory Electric to provide power is higher during these times because of the additional demand for electricity and the market price for energy.

By shifting some of your energy use to hours when demand is lower, also known as off-peak hours, you can save money on your energy bills.

Here are a few easy ways you can shift energy use to off-peak hours:

• Adjust your thermostat; during summer months, raise the thermostat a few degrees during peak hours.

• Utilize fans, moving the air with fans will provide a cooling affect when you’re indoors.

• Wash full loads of clothes in cold water during off-peak hours.

• Run the dishwasher right before you go to bed, or air-dry dishes by opening the dishwasher instead of using the heated dry cycle.

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use. This is a great daily habit to adopt during peak and off-peak hours.

There are many ways to save energy and money by making a few minor adjustments to your daily routine.

Most of us use electricity, either directly or indirectly, at almost all times. Because electricity is so abundant and available with the simple flip of a switch, it’s easy to take it for granted. U.S. households now use more air conditioning, appliances, and consumer electronics than ever before.  The average home also contains 10 or more internet-connected devices. Considering everything that is powered by electricity, it’s no wonder we occasionally wince at our monthly bill. But keep in mind, it’s no longer just the “light bill.”

Electricity powers our quality of life. From the infrastructure of your home (appliances, water heater, and HVAC system) to charging your smartphones, computers, TV, and Wi-Fi router, your energy bill covers so much more than lighting.

Members can log into their SmartHub account at victoryelectric.smarthub.coop and click on “My Usage” to view and compare electricity use per day. Members can view usage on a monthly, daily, and even hourly basis, as well as for different billing periods. This is a great way to evaluate the effectiveness of any of the recommended power saving initiatives you’ve implemented at your home or business. In addition, you can compare your monthly usage to your monthly payments without having to go through files looking for your past monthly statements.

We care about you, the members we serve, and understand that electricity is more than a commodity––it’s a necessity. That’s why Victory Electric will continue working hard to power your life, reliably and affordably. Contact us if you have questions about your energy bill or for additional energy-saving tips.

Thanks!

Shane