Time-of-Use
The Time-of-Use rate pairs clean energy with lower costs.
What is Time-Of-Use?
Under Time-of-Use pricing, your electricity rate varies based on when you use electricity. Using electricity before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m., when power on the grid is the cleanest and cheapest, can help reduce your energy bill and cut fossil fuel emissions across the state.
With Time-of-Use pricing, you have the power to control your electricity bill by shifting your energy usage to avoid excess energy use during “peak” hours between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., when energy will cost more.
How Does Time-of-Use Work?
Rather than being charged only by how much energy you use on different tiers (E-1 rate), Time-of-Use rates are based on how much energy you use during specific times of the day. Renewable energy generation in California is highest during the day with lots of solar production. While in the evenings between the 4-9 p.m. “peak”, the sun sets, and fossil fuel power plants switch on to meet the demand of people ending the workday and spiking electricity use.
To maximize renewable energy usage, the state transitioned to Time-of-Use rates which prices energy to be less during “off-peak” times, before 4 p.m. and after 9 p.m. By changing your energy intensive household activities to off-peak hours, you can save on your utility bill.
How Do I Save Money on Time-of-Use?
Use less power between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. By doing this, you are avoiding “peak” electricity hours when pricing is the highest.
Things to do during “off-peak” hours
- Run your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, or other major appliances.
- If you have air conditioning, run it in the afternoon before peak time, to pre-cool your home.
- If you have an EV, charge it during off-peak hours.
Things to do during “peak” hours
- Kick your air conditioning up to 78 degrees, health permitting.
- Load your laundry or dishwasher so it is ready to run after peak hours.
- Turn off unused devices like computers or televisions.
Switching to energy-efficient appliances will also help reduce your home’s electricity use. Ensuring your home utilizes LED lightbulbs and smart power strips can help reduce unavoidable electricity use during on- and off-peak times. Smart electric appliances can now be set to run during specific times of the day, browse electric appliances with the Appliance Marketplace.
Have questions about
Time-of-Use?
These are some of the most common questions we receive from the community. We have plenty of resources to share if you can’t find something here. Reach out to us. We’re here to help.
The Time-of-Use rate (TOU-C) is the most common residential rate and gives you the opportunity to shift your energy use to save on your bill. However, if you have an electric vehicle (EV) you may benefit from an EV rate, or if you have heat pump technology for your space or water heating you may benefit from SVCE’s Electric Home rate. To learn more about your rate options visit click here.
You can see an overview of residential rate options here. Rate plans can be viewed on your PG&E portal, where you can also use the PG&E Rate Comparison Tool to figure out which rate plan is best for you.
SVCE buys clean electricity from clean and renewable sources to meet the total annual demand of its customers. But generation of that clean energy fluctuates hourly meaning that syncing your energy use to times of the day when renewables are plentiful can benefit the entire grid. Reducing demand during the evening peak reduces the need to ramp up fossil fuel (e.g. natural gas) plants as solar facilities power down. Reducing natural gas use will lower emissions across the state. This transition will help California expand its clean power supply, and encourage customers to utilize clean power when it’s the most plentiful and lowest-cost.
