UBC News

NJ Commercial Building Owners Face Electric Bill Shock: What You Can Do

Episode Summary

Electricity capacity charges surge 833% starting June 2025, hitting commercial buildings hard. Learn practical strategies to reduce peak demand costs and protect your bottom line. To learn more, visit: https://theenergyconsultantnj.com

Episode Notes

Picture opening your electricity bill and seeing costs that are 40% higher than last month. That's the reality hitting commercial building owners across 13 states starting this June. The PJM Interconnection implemented an 833% increase in capacity charges, and most business owners have no idea what hit them. Here's the thing that makes this particularly brutal: your entire year's capacity costs get determined by just five hours. Five specific hours out of 8,760 in a year. These peak demand hours typically happen during hot summer afternoons when everyone cranks up their air conditioning. Your building's electricity usage during these exact moments sets your capacity charges for the following twelve months. Most facilities operate completely blind to when these critical hours occur. They're running full HVAC systems, lighting, and equipment during the most expensive moments possible. It's like driving through the most expensive toll booth repeatedly without realizing there's a free route right next to it. But here's where smart building owners are getting ahead of this. Peak demand notification programs can alert you when high-demand days are likely. Think of it as a weather forecast for electricity costs. Energy consultants who specialize in this field analyze market conditions and send morning alerts when peak events are probable. The immediate response can be surprisingly simple. Raise your thermostat a few degrees during peak hours. Defer non-critical equipment operation. Turn off unnecessary lighting in common areas. These small adjustments during five critical hours can save thousands of dollars annually. Some buildings are taking this further with automated building management systems that respond to peak alerts automatically. LED lighting retrofits reduce both general usage and peak demand simultaneously. Demand response programs actually pay you for reducing electricity during peak events. The facilities that adapt quickly will maintain competitive advantages while others face escalating costs that threaten profitability. Energy professionals who understand both building systems and electricity markets can identify the most cost-effective strategies for your specific situation. The 833% rate increase represents a fundamental shift in how electricity gets priced. Buildings that manage their peak demand strategically will thrive under the new rate structure. For detailed guidance on implementing peak demand management strategies that can reduce your capacity costs by 20-40%, visit the link in the description to connect with The Energy Consultant NJ and learn how to protect your facility from these unprecedented rate increases. The Energy Consultant NJ City: Bayonne Address: 104 W 16th St Website: https://theenergyconsultantnj.com Phone: +1 201 892 2587 Email: askmike@theenergyconsultantnj.com