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What Is Demand?
The way you use electricity is just as important as how much electricity you use each month. Demand is the amount of power needed to supply every electrical device running in your home or business at a specific point in time. It is the maximum rate at which your household or business has consumed electricity within any given billing period.
Peak demand is when the need for electricity is at its highest. This often happens in the evening when families are home cooking dinner and using appliances. Weather can also play a major role. For example, on a hot and humid summer afternoon, your air conditioner may be running nonstop to keep your home cool, while on a cold winter morning, heating systems work harder to warm homes.
WHY DOES NORRIS BILL FOR DEMAND (kW)?
Utilities are required to ensure they can always meet consumer demand, and because electricity is the only commodity produced at the exact time it is consumed, this requires significant investment in generation facilities and grid infrastructure. To remain reliable in serving you with the energy your home, farm, or business needs, Norris Public Power District, and its power supplier, Nebraska Public Power, must be prepared to meet the highest coincident peak demand.
HOW IS DEMAND (kW) BILLED?
The electric meter measures demand in rolling 15-minute intervals throughout the entire billing period. Therefore, the highest peak 15-minute demand period for the month is registered and multiplied by the demand rate based on your individual rate schedule. Your peak demand value resets at the beginning of each billing cycle.
HOW CAN YOU FIND WHAT YOUR DEMAND (kW) IS?
Customers can see their demand on their monthly statements, their account on SmartHub, or call our office and a customer service representative will be happy to help you.
HOW CAN I REDUCE MY DEMAND CHARGE?
One of the best ways is to spread out your energy usage. Instead of running multiple appliances at once, stagger their use throughout the day, waiting at least 15-minutes between operation.
