HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Starting in the fall, Holly Electric Cooperative will be adjusting rates and changing the way it bills members.
From now on, there will be three hours each day when electricity prices will be higher.
Peak hours are 3pm to 6pm in summer and 6am to 9am in winter.
For the remaining 21 hours of the day, your electricity bill will be half of what you currently pay.
For peak hours, Horry Electric will charge $12 for each hour of your heaviest usage during the billing period.
For example, if your maximum usage in a given month is 5kW, that number would be multiplied by 12 to come to $60.
Horry Electric spokeswoman Jennifer Cummings said being smart about when to use electricity can actually save you money.
“We’re not saying don’t use electricity,” Cummings says, “just don’t do it all at the same time. During peak summer times, don’t turn on the air conditioner at 5 p.m., get the kids in the shower, and throw the laundry in the washing machine. If you can wait until after 6 p.m. to shower and throw the laundry in the washing machine, that will reduce the peak.”
Customer Steven Scuderi said the new rates will increase his bill by 30 percent, so he’s making the big change to save money.
“The thermostats are already programmed,” Scuderi says, “to avoid using the stove and dishwasher as much as possible during peak hours, to keep the electric hot water heater from running.”
These new changes will begin to take effect in September but won’t show up until your October bill.
For details on the revised fees, click here.
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