Should You Consider a Time-of-Use Rate This Fall?

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, many of us start thinking about cozy sweaters, warm drinks, college football and the others joys that autumn brings.

But, with winter heating season just around the corner, now’s also a perfect time to explore home energy upgrades, including switching to a new rate plan like time-of-use (TOU).

Unlike the traditional fixed rate plan, TOU plans charge different rates depending on the time of day you use electricity. By shifting some of your energy use to off-peak hours, like the middle of the day or late at night, you can lower your monthly bill and reduce strain on the power grid.

In this month’s blog, we look at three reasons why fall is a good time to consider a switch:

1. Cooler weather means more flexible energy use.

During the summer, it’s hard to avoid running the air conditioner during peak hours, which often fall in the late afternoon and early evening. But with the milder fall weather, you have more control over when you use energy. You can open windows, run appliances during off-peak times and ease into new habits before winter arrives.

For example, doing laundry or running the dishwasher in the morning or at night – when rates are typically much lower – can become part of your routine now, making it second nature by the time heating season kicks in. It’s a low-stress way to test if a TOU rate is right for your household without sacrificing comfort.

2. Get ahead of winter heating costs.

Heating your home can be one of the biggest energy expenses of the year. But if you’re using electric heat, a TOU plan can help you manage those costs by encouraging off-peak usage. For example, you could program your thermostat to heat your home during the day and then lower by a few degrees when the peak hours hit.

Even if your primary heating system isn’t electric, a TOU rate can still help you save on other seasonal energy use, like lighting, cooking and space heaters, and regular household tasks, like doing laundry. Plus, starting a new rate in the fall gives you time to understand your household’s patterns and make small changes that add up.

3. Smart home devices can make switching simpler.

Fall is an ideal time to take stock of your home’s energy setup – including both low-tech weatherization upgrades, like caulking a drafty window, and the addition of new smart devices. If you’ve recently added smart plugs, a smart thermostat or an electric vehicle (EV) to your home, TOU plans can help you get the most out of these high-tech upgrades.

Many smart home devices, including EV chargers, can be scheduled to run during off-peak hours automatically. That means you don’t have to think about it every day – your home just does the work for you. Smart thermostats are particularly helpful in automatically adjusting your home’s electricity use away from peak hours, while maintaining your comfort.

Time-of-use rate plans aren’t one-size-fits-all – if you absolutely cannot shift usage away from the peak hours, you could end up spending much more on your bills. However, for most of us, they’re worth exploring – especially when the seasons are changing and your energy habits are shifting.

Contact your power company to see if TOU rate is available in your area and whether it fits your lifestyle. A little planning this fall could lead to big savings this winter.