Testing Out PGE’s Peak Time Rebate Program
Posted on July 30, 2019 by Will Gehrke
Tags, Energy
Portland General Electric (PGE) has begun a new program for residential customers, Peak Time Rebates. This new program provides a financial incentive for customers, either in single-family or multi-family dwellings with their own dedicated metered service, who reduce energy usage in the afternoon during extreme temperature days. On July 25, 2019, PGE tested this program system-wide for the first time.
How does this program work?
The day before an unusually hot or cold day, the company identifies a period of time in the afternoon in which energy demand will be the highest. This timeframe typically corresponds with residential customers coming home (from work, school, errands, etc). During abnormally hot days, customers tend to turn on their air conditioners when they arrive home. Whereas on abnormally cold days, peak energy usage is due to customers turning on their electric heating. PGE provides notice to its customers via an email or text message about an upcoming “peak time event”. The company’s notification asks customers to shift their energy usage in order to avoid peak energy consumption. PGE provides a $1 per kWh rebate for customers who shift energy usage during a peak event. The Peak Time Rebate program is optional for residential customers, who must sign up in advance to participate, and there are no penalties for customers who opt out.
How do I shift energy usage?
- The largest energy user in residential homes is space heating and cooling. A simple way to shift energy usage is to use a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat to preheat or precool your home prior to a peak event.
- Avoid using household appliances during peak events, particularly high-impact appliances such as your clothes washer or dishwasher.
- Unplug TVs, digital clocks, cellphone and laptop chargers, and any appliances with an “on/off” button – these devices use power if left plugged into an electrical outlet (even when turned off!)
What are the benefits of the program?
There are two intangible benefits to this program:
- This program will allow residential customers to save money on their energy bills.
- This program could avoid the burning of natural gas in the region. If the peak time rebates can shave demand for electricity, it is possible that gas turbine burns in the Pacific NW could be avoided.
What was your experience with peak time rebates?
I was able to reduce my usage by 4 kWh by precooling my home prior to the peak event. The peak time established by PGE on July 25, 2019 was 4pm-7pm, so I programmed my thermostat to turn off my air conditioner at 4pm, and my home was still cool when I arrived home from work. In order to maximize my savings, I unplugged all the electronics in my home before leaving for work in the morning. On my next bill from PGE, I will receive a $4.36 rebate due to my participation in the peak time rebate program. This rebate represents an 11 percent reduction in my monthly energy bill.
PGE predicts that there will be 12 peak time rebate periods each year. I will be sure to take advantage of these periodic opportunities to save energy at home, and encourage readers who are PGE customers to consider participating as well.
Find more information here about PGE’s peak time rebate program, and how to sign up.
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07/30/19 | 2 Comments | Testing Out PGE’s Peak Time Rebate Program