The demand for electricity varies with each season of the year.  Connecticut's highest demand demand for electricity, our annual peak demand, occurs during the months of June through September.

 

The lowest demand occurs during the spring and fall; specifically, late March to May and late September to November.  These time periods are commonly referred to in the electric industry as shoulder periods.  The demand for electricity during the winter season, December through early March, is generally greater than during the shoulder periods but less than our summer demand.

 

Summer seasonal demand:  Air conditioning drives Connecticut's summer peak demand.  However, there are other devices such as pool pumps and dehumidifiers that significantly contribute to this seasonal peak demand.  Remember, Connecticut's peak time period is noon to 8 pm, weekdays. 

 

Winter seasonal demand:  Connecticut's winter demand is largely driven by electric heat and the electricity needed to operate oil and gas-fired heating systems.

 

Shoulder period seasonal demand:  Generally, the equipment that drive Connecticut's summer peak demand (i.e., air conditioning, pool pumps, dehumidifies, etc.) and winter peak demand (i.e., heating) are used by far fewer consumers during shoulder periods.  So, shoulder period peak demand is driven by equipment that is used year-round, including electric water heaters, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, hot tubs and waterbed heaters.  In addtion to Connecticut's residential needs, commercial customers place lighting, refrigeration and other general demands on the electric system year-round as well.  

 

The cost to meet peak demand:  To assure reliability, Connecticut's transmission and generating  system must be built to meet our peak demand.  As a result, Connecticut's wholesale cost of electricity relfects the cost to meet this demand.

 

However, our highest peak demands only occur in about 100 hours of the year, or about 5% of the time.  So, our electric rates include the cost of equipment that must be built to meet our peak needs, but that is used infrequently. 

 

Controlling peak demand:

 

To control the cost of meeting peak demand, consumers are urged to reduce their discetionary use of electricity during Connecticut's peak period, noon to 8 pm, weekdays.  For consumption that is necessary, consumers are urged to use energy efficient products.

 

Limiting peak electric use also provides environmental benefits through lower emissions.

 

Air conditioning:  Air conditioning drives Connecticut summer peak demand.  However, many consumers do not view the use of air conditioning as discretionary.  During periods of high demand or when immediate action is requested to lower Connecticut's demand, you may be asked to reduce air conditioning load.  This can be done by increasing the temperature of your air conditioner by just 3 to 5 degrees.  This reduces the use of the unit's compressor (the largest electric load) but allows fans to circualte the air keeping the temperature in your home or business comfortable.