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Usage Patterns

Understanding usage patterns can help you take control of your energy bill.

There are several possible reasons to consider when you see a change in your bill. It is important to first recognize what type of usage pattern your facility has. The usage pattern for your business often can give clues to potential sources. For example, your usage can show when a motor is turned on, but also can show if that motor is not performing as expected. Continued peak usage after the initial start of the motor may indicate that it is malfunctioning.

Use as much history as is available to identify the patterns. Using the previous two years will provide a good sample for comparison purposes. You are likely to find one of five common usage patterns over this time period:

Seasonal Usage Pattern

When your usage is seasonally high, it usually is represented by a hump.

Seasonal Usage Pattern

Possible contributing factors:
Consistent increases during certain months indicate higher use of cooling, heating or other seasonally linked equipment.

What you can do to reduce your usage?
Seasonal patterns may require a need to change operational practices during peak periods of the year. The use of programmable thermostats will ensure consistent heating and HVAC usage. Minimizing unused lights will reduce usage. Upgrading equipment to more energy efficient equipment will help reduce costs.

Sloping Stair Pattern

When your usage is slowly increasing, it is represented by a slow-stepping graph.

Sloping Stair Pattern


Possible contributing factors:
If this is not a typical pattern for your business, it can indicate that you added equipment or made operational changes, such as a change in normal operational hours.

What you can do to reduce your usage?
To determine if this is normal usage for your type of business, complete a free online energy audit.

Step Up Pattern

When usage slowly increases, it graphically is depicted as a stepping-stair pattern.

Step Up Pattern

Possible contributing factors:
This may be due to aging equipment that is not running as efficiently as it was when it was new. It also can be associated with motors or seals around refrigeration that are no longer effective.

What you can do to reduce your usage?
To determine if this is normal usage for your type of business, complete a free online energy audit.

Spike Pattern
Spike Pattern

Possible contributing factors:
This spike may occur if all equipment is turned on at once or if all motors are run at the same time. The surge can register a higher usage demand. A more gradual start of equipment can keep the demand surge lower and save you money.

What you can do to reduce your usage?
To minimize costs, have employees follow a schedule when starting equipment. A phased approach is better than turning everything on at once.

Higher Usage Pattern
Higher Usage Pattern

Possible contributing factors:
A similar usage pattern, in conjunction with a higher bill, may represent uncontrollable costs. This may include changes to fixed components, such as rate adjustments, taxes, and surcharges. To see if your rate has changed, please check the retail tariff.

What you can do to reduce your usage?
To help control costs, you may consider energy-efficiency measures or other operational changes to your business.

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