All About Peak

In simple terms, “peak” is the maximum amount of electricity that’s used during a day. There’s a peak every day, when people’s demand for electricity is at its highest, usually in the afternoon or early evening.

Why Does Peak Matter?

On a few days each year, particularly on hot days, people use more energy so we need run to all the local power plants and buy power from outside the region.  We also have to build our system to meet the highest level of electricity demand for any single day.

What is Demand Response?

Demand response is a way to help manage high electricity use by encouraging people at home and work to reduce their use, or shift it to another time.  We have a number of programs that provide incentives for temporarily reducing or shifting energy use.

If enough people conserve when asked, then the peak is lower, natural resources are saved, and the price of electricity is lower.
When you participate in demand response programs, you’re helping to avoid building new power plants to meet California’s growing demand, and helping to keep the price of electricity lower year-round.

There’s currently one demand response program for residential customers: the Summer Saver Program. When you let SDG&E automatically cycle your air conditioning on and off during a few peak hours on select days, you get an incentive from us at the end of the year.

Your Peak

With SDG&E’s Energy Charts, you can see an hour-by-hour picture of your energy use – your own peak demand. This is all made possible by your smart meter, which tracks your energy use hour by hour instead of just monthly. When you know your own peak demand, you can get a better idea of when during the day your conservation efforts are most important.

Conserve Energy During Peak Times

There are a few easy steps to reduce energy use at any time. Just remember these three easy steps at home or at work:

  1. Turn off all unnecessary lights, computers and appliances
  2. Postpone using major appliances until after 6 p.m.

  3. Turn your air conditioning thermostat to 78° F or higher