Due to an extreme cold weather forecast for Thursday morning, Choctawhatchee Electrical Cooperative is asking members to voluntarily conserve energy between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., which will help reduce power costs.
CHELCO calls its demand reduction programs "Beat the Peak." Anything members can do to reduce consumption during peak hours helps CHELCO keep its wholesale power bills lower, which stabilizes the cost of power. These savings are ultimately reflected in members’ electric bills. Last year, Beat the Peak efforts saved members $900,000 on their electric bills.
Some conservation tips include the following:
•Take showers or baths the night before.
•Lower the thermostat to 68 degrees or below.
•Delay cooking, washing dishes and laundry.
•Turn off the water heater breaker for a few hours.
•Turn off unnecessary lights.
•Unplug unnecessary electronics and appliances.
•Do not use ventilation fans because they draw cold air inside.
CHELCO is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving 47,000 accounts in Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHELCO asks members to help 'Beat the Peak'