ENERGY CONSUMPTION RATES INCREASE, TRENDS CHANGE WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC

  

With many people choosing to limit their time out and about due to COVID-19 and stay at home, electricity providers have noticed an increase in demand for energy.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative General Manager Matt Bentke said on average, compared to the same time last year, the cooperative saw an increase of 7 to 10 percent in residential energy consumption in the spring.  Bentke said the highest consumption numbers came in April, at the height of the stay-at-home orders.

With the rise in temperatures and relaxing of orders, Bentke said consumption numbers in the summer are still up from last year, but the increase has dropped to the 3 to 4 percent range.  He said the spring’s increase in consumption shows the impact the stay-at-home orders had on residential consumers.

 

Bentke also noted the usage of appliances and devices has increased or shifted to different times of the day, aligning with different habits of consumers staying at home.

 

Bentke said residential consumption will often more than double in the summer compared to the spring and fall, adding that Bluebonnet has already seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in consumption—on top of the usual increase—during the first couple of weeks of July as compared to last year.  While residential consumption has gone up, Bentke said commercial loads have either stayed the same or decreased due to businesses and offices closing during the pandemic.

Consumers looking to cut down on their energy usage can make adjustments such as raising the temperature inside while out of the house, although Bentke cautioned against making large temperature changes, as they could cause complications with an air conditioning system.  He also recommended exploring different lighting and water heating systems, turning off large power consumers when they are not being used, and unplugging devices once they are fully charged.

Bentke encouraged anyone who has questions or is in need of assistance to contact Bluebonnet at 800-842-7708, or visit www.bluebonnetelectric.coop.