How would you like to conserve electricity and be paid to do it? Capital Electric Cooperative (CEC) utilizes a Peak Time Rebate (PTR) program. This program is designed for residential members and will result in rebates being earned by those members that reduce their energy usage during “peak time events” that Capital Electric will designate.
The idea of the peak time rebate has become more popular as co-ops look for ways to reduce their demand charges at the wholesale level. “Approximately 60 percent of our overall power bill is based on demand, which means we are billed based on the single highest point of usage for a given month,” explains Paul Fitterer, Capital Electric’s general manager.
Based on an individual member’s past usage patterns, regression analysis is used to determine if you have reduced your projected usage for that day and time. It is a scientific process that can reasonably predict how much each member is saving during that time. That savings is converted to a rebate for the member based on a rate of 75 cents per kilowatt hour saved.
The best part of this program is that there is no downside, as you can decide whether you would like to reduce your usage during a peak event. There is no penalty if you choose not to participate in a given event. So if you have company at the house and you don’t want to reduce your energy usage at that time, you won't have to.
Rebates will be calculated on a periodic basis once the program is up and running. They will be paid in the form of a bill credit and be reflected on your monthly bill.
How do I sign up?
You can sign up for the program through SmartHub(link is external) by clicking on Notifications, then Manage Contacts to enter a phone number and/or email address (more than one of each can be entered if you would like additional household members being notified). To complete the PTR sign-up, click Notifications, then Manage Notifications, then Reports. Selecte Peak Time Rebate and choose the contact method for these alerts.
Note: Restrictions apply to current off-peak and electric heat customers during the heating season. Program does not apply to commercial members.