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If you have an electric water heater, central air conditioning unit or heat pump, you can save up to $70 a year by helping us “Beat the Peak.” Thousands of Greenville Utilities customers -- probably many of your friends and neighbors -- are already participating in the program.

By reducing “peaks” which occur when all of our customers use the greatest amount of electricity, we can hold down the cost of wholesale power we purchase.

The summer program gives you credit on your utility bill during July, August, September and October. Summer credits can total $40 annually -- $20 for the hot water heater control and $20 for the central air conditioning control.

If you participate in Beat the Peak’s winter program you will receive a credit on your utility bill during January, February and March. Winter credits total $30 annually -- for electric furnace control or heat pump heat strip control.

Add summer and winter credits and save up to $70 each year!

The program works like this –
Special switches are attached to electric hot water heaters, central air conditioning units/heat pumps, and/or electric furnaces -- the biggest energy users in the home. A radio signal sent out from our Dispatch Center shuts off power to these appliances for short periods of time during our “peak load.”

The appliances are cycled off in such a way that you probably won’t even notice.

To qualify you must be a residential customer of Greenville Utilities, and have an electric water heater (30 gallon capacity or greater), and/or a central air conditioning unit or heat pump (1.5 tons or greater) and/or an electric furnace. If you live in an apartment or duplex, you are still eligible, but you must either own the property or have permission of the owner.

We’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have. Just call the Electric Department at 551-1583 for further information.