Saint John Energy is anticipating a peak in electricity demand Wednesday morning due to cold temperatures.

The utility is turning to its customers to help alleviate the added pressure on the electricity grid.

“Peaks like this are very costly, not just financially but environmentally as well,” said Glen Fillmore, executive director of strategic growth and transformation.

“Generation plants that rely on fossil fuels have to be brought online to help meet that demand.”

Each month, the utility pays a standard energy rate and a peak energy rate, which increases as the monthly peak demand goes up. The lower the peak energy rate, the less money the utility and taxpayers will have to pay.

Fillmore said their “Shave the Peak” initiative saved $1.8 million and avoided 250 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions last year alone.

The executive director said there are a number of simple things you can do to help reduce electricity demand.

“Reducing the temperature of your thermostat, delaying turning the dishwasher on, taking a shorter shower, or deferring the shower to either before or after the peak,” said Fillmore.

Customers can sign up for email alerts through their online account or keep an eye on Saint John Energy’s social media accounts to find out when they should start and stop conserving electricity.