The issue
Customer programs provide information, tools, equipment and incentives that enable customers to better manage their electricity use and exercise greater control over their energy bills. The programs also support customers’ ability to make choices with positive environmental impacts, now and in the future.
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) last eight to 10 times as long as a typical incandescent bulb and will consume 75-80 percent less electricity to produce comparable light output. For example, to replace the light output (1,700 lumens) of a 100-watt incandescent bulb, you might select a 23-watt CFL. The CFL will cost more initially, but you probably would buy eight to 10 incandescent bulbs during its lifetime.
Customer program benefits
AEP customer programs provide information, tools and incentives that enable customers to experience:
Cumulative savings since light bulb change
Source: www.gridsmartohio.com
- Lower energy bills – using low-cost or no-cost techniques to immediately reduce energy consumption and lower bills,
- Delayed rate increases – using power during low-demand times to delay the need for and investment in new generating equipment,
- Improved environmental responsibility – reducing energy use to shrink one’s “carbon footprint,”
- Improved service reliability – helping avoid critical energy-use peaks that can stress the energy delivery system,
- Options – choosing among programs to fit unique energy needs.
Customer program features:
Energy Efficiency and Demand Response (EE/DR) Programs: Reducing energy use is good for the environment. Power companies produce only as much electricity as customers use; so if customers use less energy, companies produce less electricity. That translates directly into reduced emissions from power plants.
Options may include:
- Converting to high-efficiency lighting, appliances and motors;
- Installing weatherization and insulation materials;
- Adopting process improvements for manufacturers; and
- Implementing builder and developer building efficiency programs.
Savings by technology
Source: www.gridsmartohio.com
Demand management programs: Customer demand or load is a major factor in determining the need for additional power generating equipment and the facilities to deliver this power. Demand is the maximum amount of energy an individual customer or customers as a whole require at any one time. Companies must have sufficient capability to meet maximum load requirements.
If customers can reduce energy requirements at times of high demand, they may help the utility delay building the next new generating unit. A new power plant may be needed eventually to replace an older plant or to meet growth, but the company may be able to delay that investment and the related expenses it would pass on to customers.
