Hot temperatures are here and BMU will again be asking for customer assistance in managing high electric demands during periods of hot, humid weather in an effort to save money on local electric bills.
A significant portion of BMU’s cost to supply power to Bryan customers is based on how much electricity the community uses during peak demand periods. These peak demand periods typically occur during the summer months on hot, humid weekdays between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.—when air conditioner use is heavy.
BMU plans to notify customers when their voluntary assistance is needed by issuing Peak Alerts through social media and local media outlets. When Peak Alerts are initiated, Bryan electric customers can take simple actions such as turning off unnecessary lights, drawing window blinds and setting air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees during these peak demand periods. Community response to Peak Alerts in the past has been terrific and we have found that by working together, we can help keep everyone’s electric bills lower.
In an effort to save purchasing power during these peak demand periods, BMU operates the city’s power plant generators, Bryan Solar Field and Auglaize Hydroelectric Plant to reduce electric use during peak demand periods. We also interrupt operation of the municipal well pumps and water treatment plant and rely on our two elevated storage tanks (water towers) to maintain system pressure during the interruption.