Defeat the Peak

What Is A Peak? Energy prices for the year are set based on how much energy we use on the hottest days. If we use less energy on those high-demand days, costs go down.

How Do We Defeat It? When a peak is coming, we will let you know and ask you to conserve energy for a few hours that day. After the peak we’ll let you know how much you saved.

Local Nonprofits Win When We Defeat The Peak

When we save energy, we save money for all customers and will use a portion of the savings to make a donation to a deserving local nonprofit. It is our way of saying thank you to our customers and our community for pitching in to Defeat the Peak. Donations are given when our customers reach our BED-selected savings target.  

Attention nonprofits: Please complete this form if your organization would like to be considered as a Defeat the Peak partner eligible to receive a $1,000 contribution. Thank you.

What You Can Do During A Peak Event

Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot summer day:

• Safely raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners and wait until after the peak event ends to return to previous settings.
• Wait until after the peak event ends to use washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances.
• Turn off non-essential lights until the end of the peak event or later.
• Avoid charging electric vehicles until after the peak event ends (or until 10:00pm if you are on BED’s special off-peak charging rate).
• Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after the peak event ends.
• Please be aware of minimum ventilation requirements and airflow patterns related to COVID-19 – more information is available on the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA) website.