Skip to main content
Outages
Payment Options
SmartHub
Home

Fiber Internet

Menu

Latest

  • See the latest news about fiber internet services coming soon! >>

  • Summer office hours start May 27, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. >>

  • We're Hiring! >>

 1 / 3 
  • My Home
    • Start/Stop Service
    • New/Upgrade Service Information
    • Payment Options
    • SmartHub
    • Rates & Billing
    • Capital Credits
    • Bill Payment Assistance
    • Disconnects/Service Limiters
  • My Business
    • Online Bill Payment
    • Rates & Billing
    • Start Commercial Service
    • Capital Credits
    • Economic Development
    • Peak Load Management
    • Rebates
    • Commercial/Industrial Power Factor Correction
  • My Energy
    • Renewable Energy
    • Energy Calculators
    • Rebate Programs
    • OurSolar
    • Home Energy Audits
    • Beat the Peak
    • Radio Control Switches
    • Energy Efficiency Projects & Tips
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Programs
    • Operation Round Up
    • Co-op Connections
    • Outdoor Lighting Rentals
    • Youth Programs - Bright Futures
      • County Fair Livestock Auctions
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
    • Family Month
    • America's Electric Cooperatives | PAC
  • Events
    • Solar 101 Q & A Event
    • Member Appreciation Day
    • 2025 Annual Meeting
    • Cybersecurity and Energy Efficiency Town Hall
    • Veterans Day Donation Drive
  • News & Magazines
    • Ohio Cooperative Living
    • Indiana Connection
    • Local Magazine Archive
    • Member Newsletter
    • Co-op News Updates
    • Empowered Blog
    • 2024 Rate Increase
  • Safety
    • Storm Preparedness
    • Safety Tips
    • Tree Trimming
    • Safety Demos
    • New/Upgrade Service Information
    • Outage Preparedness
  • Fiber Internet
    • Interest Form
    • Fiber Updates
  • Outages
  • About PPEC
    • Contact Us
    • Co-op History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Run for the Board
    • Retail Energy Choice
    • Official Records & Terms
    • Territory Maps
    • Employment
    • Website Privacy Policy

Beat the peak (and save money)

Peter Niagu - Energy Advisor

Beat the peak (and save money) 

If you look around your home, you likely have more devices and equipment that require electricity than ever before. Our connected lives are increasingly dependent on more electricity to function. At the same time, as demand for electricity rises, PPEC must deliver an uninterrupted 24/7 power supply — regardless of market conditions or other circumstances. As you would expect based on your own family’s habits, electricity use fluctuates throughout the day based on consumer demand. PPEC must be able to provide enough electricity to meet the energy needs of all members during times of highest energy use, or “peak hours.” These peak times are typically in the morning as people start their day and in the evening as people return to their homes. What you may not know is that electric utilities typically pay more for electricity — either from our own generation co-op, Buckeye Power, or from another utility with excess power — during those morning and evening “energy rush hours.” In addition, the demand for electricity is even higher when it’s especially hot or cold outside, when heating and cooling systems must run longer. If the “peak times” concept is a bit puzzling, here’s an easy way to think about it, and it’s similar to a major concert. We know costs go up when there is strong demand for tickets (or electricity), and both are subject to the basic economic laws of supply and demand. When a lot of people want the same thing, it’s more expensive. When they don’t, it’s cheaper — like a bargain matinee or an “early bird” special at a restaurant. 

Know when to Beat the Peak

Beat the Peak is a free, voluntary program encouraging members to shift electric use away from the peak-use hours anytime between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the hottest days of the year. The time varies with each peak, and PPEC notifies our members of the specific time frame via social media, text, SmartHub and/or email. Simply login to your SmartHub account and check your notification settings to ensure you are signed up. You can also call our office and we can help make sure you have checked the right boxes. During peak periods when the cost to produce and purchase power is higher, we encourage you to take simple steps to save energy, such as turning your thermostat down a few notches, turning off unnecessary lights, and putting off the use of large appliances until off-peak times. You can also save energy by plugging electronics and equipment such as computers, printers, and TVs into a power strip, then turning it off at the switch during peak hours. If you have a programmable thermostat, adjust the settings to sync up with off-peak periods. When we all work together to reduce energy use during periods of high electricity demand, we can relieve pressure on the grid and save a little money along the way.

Try our “Time of Day” Rate

Another benefit of this time of day approach to electricity use is that it allows greater control over your bill. Reducing the peak impacts the power-supply cost to every co-op member. This has been particularly noticeable as energy costs have risen across the U.S. Collectively, everyone conserving energy and making small changes can truly make a difference. Give our office a call, 800-686-2357, if you are interested in learning more or would like to sign up. Members who switch to time of day rate can save over $.04 kWh on off peak times. Remember, taking simple steps to save energy throughout the day and shifting energy-intensive chores to off-peak hours is a smart choice for you and our community.

Monitor your usage

View more posts

Blog Teaser

Blog Teaser
Learn about "peak times" and how they affect our members
Back to Top

PauldingPutnam_logo-white.png

Peak Status Meter

Your cooperative is currently experiencing normal energy demand. No special energy saving measures are necessary.

 

 

  

About Us

  • Code of Regulations
  • Rates
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Annual Reports
  • Board of Trustees
  • Magazine Archive
Proud to be a 5-star Co-op

Contact Info

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative
401 McDonald Pike
Paulding, OH 45879
Get Directions

Toll-free: 800-686-2357
Automated Line: 855-940-3918

Office Hours

7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday

 

Follow Us

Our Mission

To provide safe, reliable, and sustainable energy and communications services to our members and communities with superior customer service and innovative solutions.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2023 ACSI Badge     2024 ACSI Badge

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2023 and 2024. Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with Paulding Putnam EC in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org/badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.

©2025 Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative. Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

  • My Home
    • Start/Stop Service
    • New/Upgrade Service Information
    • Payment Options
    • SmartHub
    • Rates & Billing
    • Capital Credits
    • Bill Payment Assistance
    • Disconnects/Service Limiters
  • My Business
    • Online Bill Payment
    • Rates & Billing
    • Start Commercial Service
    • Capital Credits
    • Economic Development
    • Peak Load Management
    • Rebates
    • Commercial/Industrial Power Factor Correction
  • My Energy
    • Renewable Energy
    • Energy Calculators
    • Rebate Programs
    • OurSolar
    • Home Energy Audits
    • Beat the Peak
    • Radio Control Switches
    • Energy Efficiency Projects & Tips
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Programs
    • Operation Round Up
    • Co-op Connections
    • Outdoor Lighting Rentals
    • Youth Programs - Bright Futures
      • County Fair Livestock Auctions
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
    • Family Month
    • America's Electric Cooperatives | PAC
  • Events
    • Solar 101 Q & A Event
    • Member Appreciation Day
    • 2025 Annual Meeting
    • Cybersecurity and Energy Efficiency Town Hall
    • Veterans Day Donation Drive
  • News & Magazines
    • Ohio Cooperative Living
    • Indiana Connection
    • Local Magazine Archive
    • Member Newsletter
    • Co-op News Updates
    • Empowered Blog
    • 2024 Rate Increase
  • Safety
    • Storm Preparedness
    • Safety Tips
    • Tree Trimming
    • Safety Demos
    • New/Upgrade Service Information
    • Outage Preparedness
  • Fiber Internet
    • Interest Form
    • Fiber Updates
  • Outages
  • About PPEC
    • Contact Us
    • Co-op History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Run for the Board
    • Retail Energy Choice
    • Official Records & Terms
    • Territory Maps
    • Employment
    • Website Privacy Policy