Working on a 150-unit complex here in Tucson served by TEP under Schedule GS-21. The demand charges have been running $4,200-4,800 per month, but last August they spiked to $11,340. Property manager swears nothing changed operationally. TEP claims the demand reading is accurate at 267kW peak. The complex has central cooling and pool equipment, but the timing doesn't match typical summer peak patterns. Anyone seen TEP billing errors on demand readings? This represents about $85,000 annually if it continues.
TEP apartment complex - massive demand charge anomaly
Omar, that's a huge jump. Have you verified the actual meter readings? Sometimes transformer issues or faulty demand meters can cause phantom demand spikes. Also check if they added any new equipment - EV charging stations, upgraded HVAC controls, anything that could create sustained load.
I'd also look at the load profile data if TEP provides it. Here in Montana with NorthWestern Energy, we've seen similar spikes caused by malfunctioning pool pumps or HVAC systems cycling improperly. The fact that it happened in August during peak cooling season is suspicious - could be a control system failure.
Good suggestions. Turns out there was a pool pump controller malfunction that caused two 25HP pumps to run simultaneously for about 6 hours during TEP's peak demand window. Property management didn't notice because the pool area looked normal. TEP agreed to adjust the August bill once we provided documentation of the equipment failure and repair.
Nice catch Omar. That's exactly why demand charge audits need to include operational reviews. I always tell my apartment clients to log any equipment issues immediately - utilities are usually reasonable about adjustments if you can prove the cause was abnormal operation.