KEC peak demand, visualized
Tired of KEC’s New Peak Use Charge?
If you have an all-electric home in Kootenai County, a single peak hour can drive a demand charge. Calculate your demand charge below to see the monthly impact.
What Changed in January 2026
Kootenai Electric Cooperative introduced a new Peak Use Charge that behaves more like a commercial demand fee than a traditional residential electric rate. KEC looks at your highest single-hour draw during those windows, and that one spike can set the charge for your whole month.
Rate rule
The first 5 kW is free, and every extra kW during the highest peak hour adds cost fast.
Peak window
KEC measures 6–10 AM and 5–9 PM, so overlapping loads are what trigger the charge.
All-electric stack
Heat, hot water, cooking, and appliances all stack together when a home is all-electric.
Why All-Electric Homes Can See Higher Peak Charges
This side-by-side example shows how overlapping electric loads can create a much higher KEC peak demand than a similar home using gas for major heating loads.
| Load | Gas-assisted home | All-electric home |
|---|---|---|
| Water Heater | Gas (0 kW electric) | Electric (5 kW) |
| Range/Oven | Gas (0 kW electric) | Electric (6 kW) |
| Lights, Appliances, etc. | 7 kW | 7 kW |
| Total Peak Demand | 7 kW | 38 kW |
| Minus 5 kW Free Tier | 2 kW | 33 kW |
| Monthly Peak Use Charge | $12/mo | $198/mo |
That’s an extra $2,376 per year just for being all-electric – before you even count the electricity you actually use. Add an EV charger or 400-amp service and it gets worse.
Peak Use Charge Calculator
Use this static estimator shell to map the same outputs the live calculator will show: estimated peak demand, monthly peak-use charge, annual cost, and battery power needed. The labels are live-style even though the values are shown as dashes for now.
Estimated Peak Demand
— kW
Highest one-hour draw during KEC’s peak windows.
Monthly Peak Use Charge
$—
Estimated from the peak demand after the free 5 kW tier.
Annual Cost
$—
Monthly charge converted to a 12-month view.
Battery Power Needed
— kW
Amount needed to hold the meter under KEC’s threshold.
Methodology note: these outputs are based on KEC’s 6–10 AM and 5–9 PM peak windows, the first 5 kW being free, and your highest single-hour draw in that window.
Heating & Hot Water
Heat pumps, electric resistance heat, and electric water heaters can all stack into the same peak window.
Kitchen
Ranges, ovens, dishwashers, and other cooking loads can all overlap right when KEC is measuring demand.
Other Major Loads
EV charging, shop tools, hot tubs, and similar loads can create the spikes that trigger a demand charge.
Baseline Loads (lights, fridge, electronics)
These are the always-on loads the battery still needs to support while the peak charge is being shaved.
Additional Load (optional)
Optional extra load shows how much battery headroom the home would need to stay under KEC’s threshold.
Peak windows: 6–10 AM and 5–9 PM. These labels drive the monthly charge, annual cost, and battery power needed.
The Solution: Battery Peak Shaving
A battery system charges during off-peak hours and takes over during peak windows, keeping your grid demand at or below 5 kW so you pay $0 in demand charges.
Charge when KEC is not measuring peaks
The battery charges when KEC is outside the peak windows.
Hold the grid pull at 5 kW or less
During peak hours, the system keeps your meter below KEC’s threshold.
Let the battery cover the difference
The battery supplies the amount above 5 kW so your home still runs normally.
Keep backup power in reserve
The same battery system can also keep critical household loads on during outages.
Why This Makes Financial Sense
Battery peak shaving is not a replacement for solar. It’s an additional financial lever that can strengthen the case for a solar-plus-storage system.
Stacks with solar
Pair battery peak shaving with solar so you reduce both energy charges and demand charges at the same time.
Faster justification
Demand-charge reduction adds a second savings stream on top of the usual solar value proposition.
Immediate savings
Your first bill after installation can reflect the benefit instead of waiting years for the economics to show up.
Backup included
The same battery that cuts the KEC demand penalty can also keep critical loads running when the grid is down.
Who Benefits Most
This solution is especially valuable if you have an all-electric home, an EV charger, a 400-amp or larger service, or shop/ag/hot tub loads that can create expensive spikes.
All-electric home
Heat, hot water, range, and appliances all stack together during KEC peak windows.
EV charger
A Level 2 charger can add another 7–10 kW of demand by itself when it overlaps with other loads.
400-amp or large service
Bigger homes and bigger panels usually mean bigger simultaneous peaks and more exposure to KEC’s demand charge.
Shop, ag, or hot tub loads
Welders, compressors, pumps, grain dryers, and hot tubs can create expensive demand spikes when they hit at the wrong time.
If your KEC bill now shows a Peak Use Charge over $50/month, a battery system is worth evaluating.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does KEC calculate the charge?
KEC measures your highest single-hour grid draw during peak hours. A battery system watches that draw in real time and covers any load above 5 kW so the meter stays under the threshold.
How do I know what size battery I need?
There are two sizing questions: power and energy. The calculator estimates the peak-shaving kW first, then a consultation can size the battery capacity in kWh so the system actually works in your home.
Do I need solar for this to work?
No. A peak shaving system can work entirely from grid power, charging off-peak and discharging during peak hours. It also pairs very well with solar because both energy charges and demand charges can drop together.
Is winter the biggest savings period?
Yes. Winter is usually when electric heating drives the highest peak demand and the biggest demand charges. The battery is sized to handle your worst-case winter peak, so it works year-round.
Will my home feel different?
No. The switchover between grid and battery power is seamless and automatic, so your furnace, water heater, oven, and every other appliance works exactly as before.
How much does a system cost?
Costs depend on your peak demand and the battery capacity needed. During a free consultation, we’ll calculate your specific demand charge, size the right system, and show you the payback.
Stop Paying KEC’s Demand Penalty
Get a free, no-pressure review of your KEC bill. We’ll show you what a peak shaving system could save you and whether it makes sense for your home.
Serving KEC customers in North Idaho