Irrigation Metering
Tips and Tricks for Reducing Consumption
Be aware and manage energy that may be consumed by your irrigation systems when not in use.
The opening of the electric disconnect or breaker specific to an irrigation pump is a great first step toward reducing energy consumption on an out-of-season irrigation service. This can minimize energy consumption on your system.
- Open the electric main disconnect or disconnect nearest to the electric meter
- De-energizing the entire system, if possible, is the best option to minimize consumption.
- Open circuit breakers and de-energize Circuits
- Energized cables and conductors consume energy, especially over long distances.
- Shut down auxiliary equipment
- Solid state controllers are electronic devices that consume energy even when the pump is offline.
Invest in Efficiency
Invest in Efficiency
If you anticipate making changes or additions to your system, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss. We look forward to working with you to make energy efficiency improvements in your irrigation system that can save energy, water and money, without compromising productivity. NorthWestern Energy has Efficiency Plus (E+) rebates for Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for irrigation pumps and customer incentives for irrigators through our E+ Irrigator Program for qualifying electric efficiency measures. Some qualifications may apply. For more information, visit our website www.northwesternenergy.com/Eplus.
Rates
We have two tiers of irrigation charges. Smaller users pay per kilowatt hour (kWh). Larger users with loads greater than 15 kilowatts (kW) require a demand meter and incur an additional demand charge. The demand charge is measured through a demand meter which registers the highest rate of electrical flow (current) for specified time periods, usually 15- or 30-minute intervals during each billing period, independent of the kWh energy usage.
The amount of time the pump operates is the basis for energy costs. Making decisions to use your pump based on the meter-reading schedule provided can help you better control your demand charges.
Demand charges may be prorated, if used less than 25 days, on the first and last billing periods. Prorating allows you to pay a partial demand charge that better matches the time of energy use. Please contact us at (888) 467-2669 with your seasonal start-up and end dates.
The seasonal charge is assessed in May on accounts that are active or when the service is turned on for the irrigation season, regardless of usage.
Your irrigation service remains active and energized throughout the year unless you notify us and request the service be turned off.
We care about your safety
- Maintain the “10-foot Circle of Safety” rule: keep everyone and everything – you, the tools and materials you are handling, and the equipment you are operating – at least 10 feet away from all overhead power lines. If you are around higher voltage lines, allow even more distance.
- If a piece of equipment makes contact with a power line, stay on board to remain safe.
- If the equipment is operable and movable without doing additional damage to the line or poles, then do so carefully. Call 911 and NorthWestern Energy immediately, and warn others to stay away.
- Only in cases where there is fire or imminent risk of fire, the operator should try to get off of the machinery. When this is the case, the proper action is to jump clear (not step away) with both feet hitting the ground at the same time, ensuring not to contact the machinery, then hop or shuffle with both feet remaining on the ground, to a safe distance (at least 30 feet). Never return to the equipment until the area is declared safe.
Call before you dig
Remember to always call 811 for underground utility locates before digging.