As summer is soon approaching, at least here in the US, its time to start preparing for the heat. With prices of nearly everything on the rise, an energy bill can add to the stress. We hope to help alleviate some of that by sharing tangible tips that could help save you money while living a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
As if you don't have enough things to keep track of, large utility companies often change their rates throughout the year with the seasons, and the summertime is no different. This article will discuss the rate changes for both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy here in the United States and offer suggestions on how to keep energy costs low this summertime season.
What Are The Summer Energy Rates?
Starting with Consumers Energy, they’re rates vary seasonally as well as by time of day (referred to as “on-peak” or “off-peak” hours. During winter months consumers are charged 16.1 cents per kilowatt hour of energy used, regardless of time of day. On and off peak hours are only relevant during what the company discerns summer months, which are dates ranging between June 1st and September 30th. During this time of year customers are charged 21.5 cents per kilowatt hour used from the times of 2pm-7pm Monday-Friday. These times are “on peak” hours and pricing. During hours of the day outside of that window and on weekends, the rate of charge is 16.6 cents per kilowatt hour, otherwise known as “off peak” times and rates. Consumers Energy claims the increased price of energy usage in the summer is to encourage customers to “take advantage” of the lower rates at certain times of the day and to help move towards a “cleaner energy future”. Read more about Consumers Energy summer rates here.
Similar to Consumers Energy, DTE has varying rates during on and off peak times but does offer a flat rate for off-peak hours year round. The off-peak rate is 16.73 cents per kilowatt hour year round, the on-peak rate is what changes seasonally. DTE has on-peak hours year round from 3pm-7pm. During the months of October-May the on-peak rate during that time is 18.09 cents per kilowatt hour. From June-September the rate for on-peak hours is 22.40 cents per kilowatt hour. DTE also frames the change in rates throughout the year as a way to manage energy demands in an “increasingly electrified world” and to empower their customers to take more control over their energy bill and utilize the lower rates. Check out DTE's rates here.
What is the Point of Peak Hours?
The websites from Consumers Energy and DTE both include some tips on how to reduce your energy bill. These tips include running appliances during off-peak times, and switching out appliances for newer and more efficient versions.
Let’s dig a little deeper into what these big companies mean when they encourage you to use appliances outside of “on-peak” times. These few afternoon hours tend to make up a good chunk of the afternoon when a lot of the public would be coming home from work, school, etc. and can then come home and do their laundry or other chores that require a decent volume of energy. Encouraging off-peak hour energy usage and incentivizing it through a lower rate of charge is the Energy companies way of reducing the demand for energy from the grid during the hours when demand would otherwise be the highest.
If you live in a house or condo in which all of your appliances are in house, waiting to do laundry or other appliance shores until before or after peak hours can definitely aid in limiting the hike in your energy bill during summer months. If you live in an apartment or flats in which maybe there’s a shared laundry room or even kitchen, this won’t have much of an impact (if any) on your individual energy bill.
While the suggestions given by the Energy companies can definitely make an impact on your bill, there are plenty more ways to save without having to drain your savings account for a more efficient dishwasher and LED lights.
Keep Your AC Consistent
It can be so tempting to crank that AC during those hot summer days (or turn up the heat during a blizzard). But while adjusting the temperature to the day to day conditions might seem like the logical move, it can take a standard home’s HVAC system several hours to make up the difference of just 2 degrees. When you are away it may be helpful to adjust your thermostat to be a couple degrees closer to what the outside temperature is. Be sure to also take a look at your units auto or eco settings and try to utilize those features, especially during peak times.
Unplug Unused Appliances
We are all guilty of it, leaving the toaster or coffee pot plugged in 24/7 even when we aren’t actively using them. We’re here to break the news to you that appliances and other electronic devices still consume energy even when they are not actively on. This is often referred to as “phantom power” and can cost households a couple hundred dollars a year. So, consider this your reminder to unplug what you are not using.
Be Mindful of Natural Light
Along the same lines as the previous tip, unplug and turn off the lights when they are not in use and if you have energy efficient windows embrace some natural light. Some older homes with original glass or even apartment complexes that may opt for cheaper window fixtures may actually heat your living space. If that is the case for you, it may serve in your benefit to close any blinds and curtains during the summer months (especially during peak sunlight time and peak hours) to minimize the thermal effect on your home and AC usage.
Take advantage of “On Peak” Time
We know what you’re thinking; but isn’t on-peak time the more expensive time of day to use energy? Yes, which is what also makes it the perfect time of day to get out of the house. This tip is largely dependent on your daily schedule, but if you are able to keep occupied in other ways during this time besides hanging around at home, do it! Turn off your appliances and lights etc. before you go and use this time to go grocery shopping, make returns, take the kids to the park, hit the gym the list goes on. Not only could this be a fun way to mix up your routine, it drastically slashes your energy usage during more expensive hours just by the nature of you not being home.
Be Mindful of Streaming
Are you still there? A Netflix interruption we are all too familiar with. The background music or comfort show playing on loop can seem fun and harmless but has a way of racking up your energy bill without hardly being noticed. If you are trying to cut down on your energy bill, take note of how much streaming goes on in the background and try to adjust those habits accordingly, at least using them during off-peak time.
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