Small hair salon in Richmond on Dominion Energy is getting hammered with demand charges. Monthly bills around $1,900, but $600 of that is demand charges from their blow dryers and equipment. Owner says all the stylists start work at 9am so everything kicks on at once. Peak demand shows 28kW. Any ideas for managing this without changing their business hours?
Hair salon demand charges killing small business
Susan, that's a classic small commercial problem. 28kW isn't huge but when it all hits at once it kills them on demand charges. Could they stagger start times even by 15-30 minutes? Or maybe there's a different rate schedule that's more energy-heavy, less demand-heavy? Worth checking what other options Dominion has.
I suggested staggered starts but the owner wasn't receptive - says it would mess up their appointment scheduling. I'll look into alternative rate structures. Maybe there's a small commercial rate that's more forgiving on demand charges.