Demand is the highest amount of electricity used at any one time. Demand is instantaneous use at a given moment.
For example, the more appliances being used all at once, the higher the demand for the electrical system. Using the electric oven, washing machine, clothes dryer, microwave, and space heater at one time creates greater demand than only using the oven and washing machine at once.
As your power provider, SEC must meet members' demands for electricity. SEC must be ready for the fluctuations in demand, including the highest peaks. The demand billing rate recovers our cost to make power available to you at any given point during the day. In order to recover those costs fairly, we apply the rate individually, based on the maximum amount of power you use at one time during the month.
On your billing statement, it is listed under meter reading information as kW (kilowatts). You can also access your demand by logging into your online account.
Be familiar with your home's biggest electricity users, like the oven, dishwasher, clothes dryer, and space heater. Then, make changes when you use those appliances that will cut your demand for electricity.
Demand is measured in kilowatts (kW). 1 kW is equivalent to 1,000 watts. For example, a 1,500-watt space heater would equate to 1.5 kW (1500/1000 = 1.5). The demand charge reflected on your billing statement is the total number of watts consumed at one time during the month.
Example
At 6:00 PM in the Davis household the following appliances are running at one time.
Air conditioner 4,000 watts – 4 kW
Clothes dryer 3,500 watts – 3.5 kW
Washing machine 800 watts - .80 kW
Electric oven and range 3,900 watts – 3.9 kW
Dishwasher 1,800 watts – 1.8 kW
Television 400 watts - .40 kW
Refrigerator 800 watts - .80 kW
Electric Fireplace 1,500 watts – 1.5 kW
Total Demand (kW) = 16.70 kW
Making minor changes, like starting the dishwasher after dinner and running the laundry when the dishwasher is done, staggers your use and lowers your demand.
