Many competitive electric suppliers, curtailment service providers, and utilities offer customers the chance to participate in demand response programs where customers reduce their energy use by a pre-determined amount at times when electricity demand (and price) is highest in exchange for a financial reimbursement.

For instance, a business may agree to turn their lights down by 10 percent or a homeowner may agree to turn off their dishwasher or clothes dryer. These periods of peak demand are often met by fossil fuel generation, so if you reduce your energy use, you’ll not only save some money but you’ll also help reduce emissions.

Check with competitive suppliers or curtailment service providers in your area, your local electric utility, state’s public utility commission, or Competecoalition.com to see what options are available to you.