As we settle into the heat of July, our homes naturally use more electricity. Air conditioners run longer, refrigerators work harder and daily routines—from cooking dinner to doing laundry—often overlap during the warmest parts of the day. That’s also when the demand for electricity across our community is at its highest.
At MidSouth Electric Cooperative, our top priority is delivering safe, reliable and affordable power whenever you need it. But during peak energy hours, 2–9 p.m., there’s added pressure on the grid as homes and businesses require more electricity, all at the same time. On the hottest days, that strain can be significant.
The good news is that small changes at home can make a meaningful difference. By shifting some high-energy activities to off-peak hours—like doing laundry later in the evening, running the dishwasher before you go to bed or cooking meals earlier in the day—you’re helping spread out demand and reducing pressure on the grid during those critical peak hours.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to lower energy use during peak hours:
- Use a smart thermostat to adjust your home’s temperature when demand is highest—even a few degrees during peak hours can make a difference.
- Prepare meals with a slow cooker, air fryer or outdoor grill instead of the oven.
- Air-dry clothes or space out laundry loads to cut down on energy use and indoor heat.
- Turn ceiling fans on (counterclockwise) when you’re in the room to cool yourself down, allowing you to raise your thermostat without sacrificing comfort.
When members make mindful choices about when and how they use electricity, it helps reduce peak demand, eases strain on the grid and supports more stable energy costs for our local communities. Every effort you make contributes to a stronger, more resilient system.
