How It Works
You help conserve energy by temporarily shifting or reducing electricity use on select Energy Savings Event days in the summer. There will be no more than 14 events per summer. Each event typically lasts four hours.
For any electricity used during event hours, you will be charged $1 per kWh between the hours of 2 – 6 p.m. So, the more you shift your electric use out of those four hours, the more you’ll save.
In the days following the event, we’ll send your energy use report. You’ll see how much energy you saved by reducing energy use on the most critical days of the year.
Critical Peak Pricing FAQs
Energy Savings Events will usually occur up to 14 times during the summer months of June through September. This will be on non-holiday weekdays from 2 – 6 p.m. Events may be called because of an electric supply emergency or when we expect peak electricity demand. This happens especially during hot and humid weather. See Terms and Conditions for more details.
If you’re unable to participate in an event, you can choose not to reduce or shift your electricity use on an Energy Savings Event day. You will be charged the event rate of $1/kWh for any electricity used during that time.
Peak demand is the time of day when customers are using the most electricity. This is most common during air conditioning season, from June through September, in the late afternoon (2–7 p.m.). However, electric demand can also spike during especially cold days. By lowering energy use during peak demand hours, you lower stress on the energy grid and shift energy use to less expensive off-peak times.
The Summer Rate is the standard rate for Residential electric service customers. It consists of “on-peak” and “off-peak” rates:
With the Summer Rate, you can save money all summer long by reducing electricity use during the “on-peak” time, or shifting use to mornings, nights and weekends.
The Critical Peak Pricing Program is an additional program you can join to help reduce electricity use on days of high energy demand during the summer. On up to 14 Energy Savings Event days each summer, you agree to reduce or shift your energy use even more than normal from 2 – 6 p.m. (one hour less than the Summer Rate is in effect), and you earn an additional discount on your off-peak rate all summer long.
With both the Summer Rate and the Critical Peak Pricing Program, when you use energy is just as important as how much you use. Your actions can save you money AND help ensure a cleaner energy future for Michigan.
Simple Ways to Shift Electricity Use
In the morning, pre-cool your home at 2-3 degrees lower than
normal. Then, just before 2 p.m., set your thermostat 3-5 degrees higher than
normal. Or install a smart thermostat to help schedule changes for you.
Do the dishes and laundry before 2 p.m. or after 6 p.m., or wait
until the weekend.
Plug electronic devices into a smart plug to prevent them from
consuming more energy even when they’re off or in standby mode. Schedule
your smart plug to turn off devices during event hours.