We’re entering another hot week here in the Greater Boston area, and it looks like we will be in the 90’s through at least Wednesday. Hot weather means air conditioning for most of us, and air conditioning means electricity usage. On the hottest days of the year (called peak days), our electrical grid experiences the highest demands; and to meet that demand, they must resort to using the dirtiest and most expensive fossil fuels: natural gas and oil. This causes pollution, spews out greenhouse gasses, and costs us consumers a lot more money (up to ten times the usual rate).

Luckily, there’s a way to make a difference: join the growing movement to Shave the Peak! It’s really simple. Sign up to receive a text message when the grid anticipates a peak day; then, conserve electricity from 4-8 PM on that day. That’s it! Why this timeframe? Because that’s when everyone is back home, cooking dinner, starting laundry, and settling in for the night. On a peak day, electricity demand can double during this time. However, if you just delay that laundry, unplug your EV, and turn your AC from 68 degrees to 72 degrees, you can prevent that surge in demand, ultimately saving your wallet and the planet more damage.

I signed up to Shave the Peak a few years ago, and I only receive texts on the few days a year when it’s needed. Today is one of those days–so do your part by shaving the peak, tell your friends (Heck! Tell your enemies, too!), and be a part of the solution.