Demand Load Indicator

When Does The Indicator Change?

Firelands Electric Cooperative updates the demand indicator to reflect conservation needs, when the demand for electricity is expected to be higher than normal. Informing electric co-op members of forecasted electricity use and high demand loads allows members to plan and prepare for energy conservation measures. For example, a member may wake up early to do laundry or close the blinds before going to work on an expected peak electricity demand day. Click here to receive text and e-mail alerts on peak and critical use days.

Levels of Electricity Demand

NORMAL DEMANDNormal Use | Green

Today is forecasted to be a normal electricity use day, which means no special energy-conservation measures are necessary. Still, Firelands encourages members to find ways to conserve energy and reduce cost in their homes everyday. The following are some tips to get you started:

  • Join the more than 450 members participating in Cool Returns
  • Install a programmable thermostat
  • Turn off lights when you leave a room
  • Install compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in as many light fixtures as possible
  • Purchase ENERGY STAR® appliances and home electronics
  • Wash laundry in cold water using cold water detergent
  • Turn off or unplug appliances you are not using, especially when you are away for a few days
  • Clean or replace furnace filters at least once each month
  • Make sure you have your computer's energy-saving feature turned on
  • Sign up to become a Firelands PeakBuster
  • Place child safety plugs in unused outlets to stop air flow through the outlet holes and install foam draft stoppers behind the wall plates
  • Seal doors with draft-reducing weather stripping and door sweeps
  • Sign up to receive text and e-mail alerts on peak and critical use day

PEAK DEMANDPeak Use | Yellow

Electricity use is forecasted to be especially high today. Firelands' power supplier, Buckeye Power, promotes wise energy use to reduce the impact of higher electric rates. By working together to reduce energy use, we can help keep power costs down; therefore, Firelands requests members to conserve energy from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with the following tips:

  • Delay running the dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer until after 7:00 p.m. or the next morning
  • Instead of using the oven to prepare meals, try grilling, making meals in the microwave or dining out
  • Close your window shades and drapes to keep out the sun
  • Try not to use electric appliances and other electric items that are not needed. Do not forget pool pumps, dehumidifiers or pumps for water features such as ponds and fountains
  • Consider RAISING your cooling thermostat set-point by two to four degrees
  • Sign up to become a Firelands PeakBuster
  • Turn off lights when possible to reduce energy use
  • Join more than 450 members participating in Cool Returns
  • Sign up to receive text and e-mail alerts on peak and critical use days
  • Get more tips and energy-saving resources by clicking here

CRITICAL DEMANDCritical Use | Red

Buckeye Power and PJM Interconnection are in a rare and temporary period of critical electricity use. Critical energy use often results from unique circumstances such as extreme regional electricity demand requirements, prolonged periods of extreme weather or excessive transmission constraints. Working together, we can greatly reduce the economic impact of these circumstances. Firelands Electric Co-op asks all members to aggressively do everything to reduce energy consumption from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the following suggestions:

  • Turn off all lights to reduce energy use unless absolutely needed
  • Please do not use an electric stove or oven to prepare meals, try grilling, making meals in the microwave or eating out
  • Turn off and unplug computers, home entertainment equipment and other electronic equipment including chargers for cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs
  • Delay running the dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer until after 8:00 p.m.
  • Close shades and drapes to keep out the sun's warmth
  • Take short showers - and only if you musUse a fan to increase your cooling comfort
  • Turn off as many appliances and other electric items as possible. Do not forget pool pumps, dehumidifiers or pumps for water features such as ponds and fountains
  • RAISE your cooling thermostat set-point by two to four degrees
  • Sign up to become a Firelands PeakBuster
  • Turn off lights when possible to reduce energy use
  • Join more than 450 members participating in Cool Returns
  • Sign up to receive text and e-mail alerts on peak and critical use days

Thank you for helping to reduce peak demand!

 

Together We Save