Expand All | Collapse All
Electricity costs vary throughout the day depending on overall demand on the electric grid. For example, in the summer, there is a higher demand for electricity during the afternoon, so the cost to generate and use electricity during these peak periods goes up. To minimize electricity usage during these high cost periods of the day, time-of-use programs charge higher prices during the high cost (or peak) periods, and lower prices during off-peak times of the day to encourage you to shift your electricity usage to those lower price periods.
There are several easy steps you can take to shift your usage from on-peak to off-peak periods:
- Heating your home accounts for more than 30 percent of an average home’s energy bill – the single biggest energy expense in your home.
- Set thermostats at 78 degrees Fahrenheit for cooling in the summer and 68 degrees Fahrenheit for heating in the winter, especially during on-peak hours.
- Turning the thermostat down about one degree saves about 2 percent on your heating bill. Turning it down five degrees saves about 10 percent.
- Installing timers on water heaters, pool pumps, dehumidifiers and other equipment to make sure they are off during on-peak times.
- Postponing laundry and other activities that use electricity until off-peak hours when demand and prices are lower.
- Shift use of non-essential electrical equipment to before or after on-peak hours.
- Turn off lights (ornamental or display lighting) when not in use during on-peak hours.
- Minimize the use of overhead lighting during on-peak pricing periods.
Get more tips and see videos at our Energy Saver Center.
Prior to the end of the 12 month period, we will notify you of your renewal price options. If you do not respond to the notifications provided prior to the expiration of a fixed price contract, your contract with us will continue as we propose in your renewal notice.
As the end of your 12-month contract term approaches, you will receive two notices from Green Mountain explaining your renewal options: one 90 days before the end of your term, and a second one 45 days before the end of your term.
