Peak Demand Management + Load Shifting Playbook

Step 1 — Confirm demand is worth targeting

If demand charges are small, focus elsewhere. If demand charges are large or rising, proceed.

Step 2 — Get interval data (even a little is useful)

You don't need years of data. A few months is enough to find peak patterns.

Step 3 — Identify what causes peaks

Common peak drivers:

• •HVAC start-up (morning warm-up/cool-down)
• •simultaneous equipment start (fans, pumps, compressors)
• •EV charging clusters
• •electric reheating
• •kitchen loads (where applicable)
• •large motors without staggered starts

Step 4 — Apply "no/low-cost" strategies first

Examples:

• •stagger equipment start times (5–15 minute offsets)
• •adjust morning warm-up preheat/pre-cool strategy
• •cap EV charging power during peak windows
• •shift cleaning/laundry/process loads off-peak (if flexible)
• •enforce schedules (turn off what shouldn't run)

Step 5 — Consider "medium-cost" controls improvements

Examples:

• •demand limiting controls
• •smarter setpoint and schedule optimization
• •building automation sequence updates

Step 6 — Evaluate "hardware" options only when needed

Examples:

• •battery storage for peak shaving
• •thermal storage (site dependent)
• •equipment upgrades
• •onsite generation (solar) helps some peaks (site dependent)

Step 7 — Measure results and lock the playbook

You need:

• •implementation date
• •baseline demand
• •post-change demand
• •notes on what changed

Template 1 — Demand Charge Snapshot (from bills)

| Site | Month | Total $ | Demand charges $ | Demand share % | Peak kW (if shown) | Notes |
|---|---|---:|---:|---:|---:|---|

Template 2 — Interval Data Request Email

Subject: Request: interval electricity usage data — Account [#]

Hello,
Please provide interval electricity data for account [#] for the period [start–end], including:
- interval length (15-min/hourly)
- timestamps
- kW or kWh per interval
CSV export preferred.

Thanks,
[Name]

Template 3 — Peak Event Log

| Site | Peak date | Peak time window | Peak kW | Suspected driver | Evidence link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---:|---|---|---|

Template 4 — Peak Reduction Tactics Menu (starter)

Low/no-cost tactics:
- Stagger equipment start times
- Adjust warm-up/cool-down sequences
- Schedule enforcement (turn off unused loads)
- Shift flexible loads off-peak
- EV charging caps in peak windows

Medium-cost:
- Demand limiting controls
- BAS sequence updates
- Setpoint optimization with constraints

Hardware:
- Battery storage (peak shaving)
- Equipment upgrades (motors, VFDs)
- Onsite generation (site dependent)

Template 5 — Peak Target Plan

Peak Target Plan

Site:
Current observed peak (kW):
Target peak (kW):
Why this target is feasible:
Tactics to implement:
Implementation date:
Owner:
Measurement method:

Template 6 — M and V Summary

Peak Demand M&V Summary

Site:
Baseline period:
Post period:
Changes made:
Result:
- peak kW change:
- demand charges change:
Confidence (High/Med/Low) and why: