embership M
04 TWENTY TWENTY FIVE
MATTERS
Ever yone wins when we work together to Beat T he Peak! Did you know that WHEN you use electricity matters? Blue Ridge Energy members can keep energy costs low for everyone by avoiding using energy during certain times. We call this working together to Beat The Peak! Peak demand is when lots of people use electricity at the same time. On winter mornings, when we get ready for work and school and on summer afternoons when everyone comes home. Utilities must generate enough electricity to meet these peaks of demand or ask for help in reducing energy usage. Summer peaks typically occur on the hottest afternoons, from 2–6 p.m. when people get home, turn up air conditioning and cook dinner. Winter peaks tend to occur on the coldest winter mornings, from 5-9 a.m. when we wake up, turn up the heat and take showers to get ready for work, school and daily activities. Want to help? Sign up to receive Beat The Peak alerts by text or email. When you receive an alert, plan steps to reduce your electricity usage during the times specified in the message.
Easy but helpful tips include: •
Set your thermostat as high as comfortable in the summer & as low as possible in the winter.
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Shift the time you wash and dry clothes.
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Wait to run the dishwasher.
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Turn off unnecessary lights.
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Grill outdoors or use the microwave instead of the oven or stove.
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Save showers and baths until after the peak.
Every small action adds up when we work together! Join our Beat The Peak movement today to start saving by signing up at BlueRidgeEnergy.com/BTP, or text “BTP” to 70216.
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