JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — SmartSavings — the JEA program that could change your bill, but also the way you think about using energy.
It’s been studied by the company for nearly five years and is up for discussion at an upcoming rate meeting on March 26.
“How you use your energy and how much you use at once can impact dramatically how much energy we use at one time," Kerri Steward with JEA said.
The idea is nothing new — utility companies across the county are implementing similar programs. JEA said it looked to Arizona, Texas and California as models to build SmartSavings.
How it would work for JEA customers is energy consumed between certain times of the day such as noon and 7 p.m., for example, would fall under peak hours and potentially higher rates.
JEA said the program encourages customers to spread out consumption and saving overall energy. The term “stacking” explaining how customers use multiple appliances at once: something the rates would likely deter.
"We hope customers will see they have more choice they can choose not to stack appliances or not use all their appliances at the same time,” Stewart said.
JEA will discuss the program at a rate meeting March 26. Already 5,000 customers have been identified to participate in the pilot program.