The electrical demand rate for commercial enterprises can be reduced by

The electrical demand rate for commercial enterprises can be reduced by

• A. installing larger transformers
• B. increasing energy use during peak periods
• C. switching to fossil fuels
• D. reducing power consumption during peak periods

Answer: (D)

Demand charges rise with the highest amount of power drawn in a short interval, so cutting back on usage during those peak moments is the most effective way to lower the overall demand rate. When you reduce or shift consumption away from peak periods, the peak demand marker on the bill drops, which lowers the charge even if your total energy use stays similar over the month. Installing larger transformers doesn’t reduce how much power you draw at the peak; it mainly affects capacity and voltage handling, not the timing or amount of load. Switching to fossil fuels changes the energy source, not the billing of peak demand. Increasing energy use during peak periods would actually raise the peak and increase charges. So the correct approach is to reduce power consumption during peak periods, through strategies like load management, scheduling high-energy processes off-peak, or using demand-response measures.

Demand charges rise with the highest amount of power drawn in a short interval, so cutting back on usage during those peak moments is the most effective way to lower the overall demand rate. When you reduce or shift consumption away from peak periods, the peak demand marker on the bill drops, which lowers the charge even if your total energy use stays similar over the month.

Installing larger transformers doesn’t reduce how much power you draw at the peak; it mainly affects capacity and voltage handling, not the timing or amount of load. Switching to fossil fuels changes the energy source, not the billing of peak demand. Increasing energy use during peak periods would actually raise the peak and increase charges. So the correct approach is to reduce power consumption during peak periods, through strategies like load management, scheduling high-energy processes off-peak, or using demand-response measures.