The demand for electrical power rises and falls throughout a typical day based on how we use our electricity. With summer months upon us, we typically increase our “peaking” usage.
Peaking plants are a category of power plants that operate primarily during times when the demand for power is at its peak. Imagine a 90 degree summer day when your airconditioning is running constantly. This causes electricity usage to reach its highest levels.
Peaking plants are often powered by natural gas, but they can also be powered by water at hydroelectric dams or by fuel oil. Peaking plants can be turned on quickly to begin generating additional electricity to satisfy the rapidly increasing demand for power on hot summer days, and can be turned off quickly as demand lowers in the evening.
My husband and I fight about water usage in the garden. He dribbles water all day either at the nozzle or soaker hoses. He says dribbling water uses less energy at the pump than if he ran it full-blast and watered everything. I hear that pump kick on and off all the time and worry that he’s burning out the mechanism. Who’s right? Thanks!
Hi Molly – The electric consumption on a well will be of minimal impact when doing a trickle irrigation system for several hours vs sprinkle irrigation for a shorter period. Most of the research suggests that the trickle irrigation would work best for gardens in that it provides water directly to the plant base where it is needed. This will allow for less evaporation of water & avoid watering areas that do not need it. If you really wanted to test it out, you could try both ways at different times and then analyze your usage through SmartHub to see if there is a noticeable difference. With that said, when it comes to spousal arguments, our official position is that the wife is always right. 🙂