Summer decided to show up this week for the first time this summer, and temperatures will be flirting with 90 degrees for several consecutive days. That means more people will be cranking up the air conditioning. Therein lies the problem.
When you run the air conditioning, dishwasher, dryer and pool pump at the same time during the peak hours of noon to 8 p.m., you raise the price for all consumers.
It's not that there's a lack of supply, but cranking up all those appliances drives up the cost this summer, and ultimately next summer as well.
Connecticut’s electric system is built to meet annual peak demand, so there are extra system-wide costs whenever there is a big jump, according to the Department of Public Utility Control. There are also extra costs when we exceed the historical peak.
"If we have a higher demand for power, next year when we plan our long term energy needs, it's going to cost the people of the state of Connecticut more," said John W. Betkoski, DPUC Vice-Chairman.
The PUC controls costs by keeping the demand below peak levels.
To control costs, the PUC is asking consumers to back off of their usage of appliances until after 8 p.m. when possible.
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To see in real time how much power we are using, and for ways to conserve energy in the summer months, see the DPUC site.
