Load Management Program
What is Load Management?
Load management is your silent partner in holding down power costs. During NOVEC's peak demand for electricity, a switch attached to your water heater cycles the unit on and off for typically up to two hours. Alternatively, a switch on your central air conditioner cycles the compressor on and off for 10 minutes out of every half-hour.
To date, more than 54,000 load management switches have been installed in homes by qualified service technicians. The majority of load management participants never notice a difference. Most customers actually forget their unit or units are connected after a few months because they don't notice a change in their hot water availability or the comfort level in their homes.
In exchange for your voluntary participation in the load management program, you'll get a quick response and same-day electric water heater repair and/or air conditioner service evaluation at no cost.
Air Conditioning
Sign up for our load management program, and if your air conditioner is not working, we'll send a service representative to your home for a free evaluation to help diagnose the problem before you call a contractor. Simply call NOVEC at 703-335-0500.
Water Heating
Sign up for our load management program, and if needed, we'll replace certain malfunctioning electrical parts on your water heater for FREE. That's a value of up to $425! Sign up and simply call us, 24/7, at 703-335-0500 if your electric water heater needs repair. Eligible parts could include thermostats, elements, reset buttons/breakers and fuses. (Replacing a leaking water heater is not covered, since this is a plumbing problem.)
Help Hold Down Power Costs
As of October 2019, NOVEC will be performing load control during all 12 months, rather than just the hottest or coldest days of the year. NOVEC’s load management customers may notice more frequent load control events throughout the year.
NOVEC purchases wholesale power based on the number of kilowatt-hours customers usually use. By reducing the amount of power customers use — especially during peak times — NOVEC can reduce the amount of power it purchases each year by millions of dollars. By joining the load management program, you can help NOVEC hold down the cost of providing power. These savings are passed on to you in the form of CashBack and lower operating costs.
Sign up now!
Complete and submit this form, or call NOVEC at 703-335-0500. You'll be asked a few questions, and then a contractor will call you to set up a switch-installation appointment. Installation usually takes less than an hour.
Help Us Beat the Peak!
By reducing the amount of power consumed during peak periods, NOVEC can reduce its total wholesale power costs. Reductions or increases in these expenses are passed directly on to customers each month through the power cost adjustment. The average annual cost per customer for the peak use demand charge is $335. With just a 10% reduction in electricity use, NOVEC customers could realize a collective savings of about $4.7 million a year.
Tips for Reducing Peak Electricity Use
Summer:
- Turn the thermostat up to 82 — or turn it off — between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and at all times when no one is home. A programmable thermostat can automatically make these adjustments.
- Use ceiling fans to keep cooled air circulating, and turn them off when you leave the room.
- Run the dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer only in the late evening or early morning when temperatures are cooler.
- Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic devices. Unplug them to eliminate “vampire” waste.
Winter:
- Set the thermostat no higher than 68 degrees to save energy.
- Only run appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers outside of peak hours. Winter peak hours are typically between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.
- Turn off lights and appliances when not in use, and unplug to eliminate "vampire" waste.
