[Press Release] : Load Management Helps Save Three Percent on Electric Costs

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Connie Kacprowicz, Communications Specialist (573) 874-7325

Load Management Helps Save Three Percent on Electric Costs

COLUMBIA, MO June 17, 2004 -- Electric customers can receive a three
percent discount on summer electric bills by signing up for the Columbia
Water and Light Load Management Program. Participating customers with
central air conditioners agree to have a switch put on their outside
unit that allows the utility to rotate air conditioner use in Columbia.
The switches help control the amount of electricity demanded at any one
time and greatly reduce the city's total demand. When demand is
lowered during peak electric periods, the utility saves money and that
savings is passed on to the participating customers.

Columbia Water and Light announced on June 15, 2004 that a Fuel
Adjustment Allowance of $0.006217 would be added to the kilowatt hourly
charge during July, August and September. For an average residential
customer that uses 1,200 kWh per month, the Fuel Adjustment Allowance
will add $7.46 or 9.5% to the monthly bill. According to Connie
Kacprowicz, Communications Specialist with Columbia Water and Light,
"It is important for all of our electric customers to take
advantage of the conservation programs the utility offers. Signing up
for the Load Management program is one of the easiest things a customer
can do to offset the increased electric rate. All you have to do is get
online and fill out a form or make a phone call and you save three
percent". The discounted rate is applied during June, July, August and
September. A 3% reduction would save a customer who uses 1,200 kWh a
month $2.40, reducing the customer's fuel adjustment allowance to $5 a
month.

Columbia's Load Management program uses radio controlled switches
installed on central air conditioners and heat pumps. During periods of
peak electric usage, the switches are activated by a radio signal from
the Power Plant. This turns the compressor motor off for 7.5 minutes
each half-hour. Since each switch controls only the compressor, the
circulating fan can continue to operate, keeping homes and businesses
cool and comfortable.

The effect of this cycling during peak demand is illustrated by four
neighbors who have central air conditioners. On a rotating basis, the
air conditioner compressors for each home are turned off for a few
minutes. Instead of the four homes demanding electricity for their air
conditioners at the same time, there are only three. Community wide,
this means a considerable reduction in peak load and significant
savings.

Hot summer afternoons are when Columbia Water and Light experiences
peak electric loads. At these times, demand is very high due to air
conditioning usage and the cost for power can be very high. Ordinarily,
load management switches are activated between five and ten afternoons a
year. Weather patterns and the cost of electricity on the wholesale
market determine how many times the switches are used for load control
throughout the year. Typically, cycling will start in the mid-afternoon
and stop at 7:30 p.m. during these days.

Columbia Water and Light electric customers with central air
conditioners can sign up for Load Management on the Web at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com (Type in GoWord "GoLoadMangement) or call
874-7325. 

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