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This summer WFEC members have experienced some dangerously high temperatures and many of us are spending more time indoors running appliances and adjusting thermostats to cooler settings. 
Unfortunately, doing so can drive up the cost of electric bills.

But what if you knew an easy way to help West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) keep your bills as affordable as possible, even as temperatures reach triple digits? Together with other members, you can hold down a major cost that impacts your bill: the cost of wholesale power.

It all begins with “peaks.” When many people use electricity at the same time, the demand for power rises, sometimes leading to the highest -- or “peak” -- demand of the day, week, month or year. During summer, peak times are usually from 3 to 7 p.m. in the afternoon when more homes and businesses are using energy for cooling.

You may be wondering why peaks matter and how they affect the price you pay for electricity. Peaks cause an increase in your cooperative’s largest expense — the cost of generating power.

PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, WFEC’s wholesale power supplier, generates our power. PowerSouth is seeing historic numbers in summer peak demand and forecasting higher peaks to come. That means a lot of people are using a lot of power at peak times this summer, which drives up wholesale power costs.

You can help keep costs low. It’s not just about how much electricity you use but when you use it. During peak hours, simply delay chores that require electricity. If possible, shift your use of large appliances and hot water to off-peak times. You’ll help reduce the cost of wholesale power.

You can take other actions, too. Adjusting your thermostat, even a few degrees, can make a big difference in overall energy demand. Use ceiling and portable fans to circulate air, when possible, because they require less energy than your air conditioner. You can also turn off unneeded lights and switch off electronics you aren’t using.

Visit westflorida.coop for more energy savings tips to help keep your electric bills lower this summer.