Sioux Center Municipal Utilities (SCMU) is working to complete a community-wide project designed to help keep electricity costs lower for everyone.
For the past four years, SCMU has been asking property owners to set up an appointment to update the load management device in their home or business. Starting this year, Allegiant Utility Services will be used to complete the update with SCMU paying for the process so there is no added cost to property owners.
Assistant Utilities Manager Adam Fedders says using load management keeps the cost of electricity lower for customers and avoids the need and cost of building new electric generation. The devices work together to avoid high energy use during peak periods by allowing air conditioner compressors and electric water heaters to cycle off for a few minutes in sequence with homes across the community, significantly reducing Sioux Center’s peak time energy use. Peaks of energy demand happen a few days a year and only a few hours on those days. However, Sioux Center must pay to have available electric generation to cover those peaks when they happen.
To date, 850 of 2,300 devices have been upgraded, but it’s been a challenge to complete the process.
