But first, what is time-of-use?

During certain times of the day there is greater demand for electricity. Times like cold mornings when everyone is turning up their heat and hot afternoons when people return home and want their air conditioner to work extra hard while they prepare dinner. These “peak” times are when the Cooperative pays the most for the electricity it generates and purchases.

“I am seeing an approximately 40% savings and that includes charging an electric car,” said Messner.

Energy supplies are plentiful overnight when demand is the lowest, so this is the best time to use energy, the less energy used “on-peak”, the lower the costs are to the Cooperative and this benefits members through rates.

The rate offers very attractive energy costs to incentivize use of electricity during off-peak times. Conversely, energy used during on-peak times costs more.

“I decided to sign up for the time-of-use rate (or “Switch and Save”), because initially, I realized I was at work during the summer 2–6 p.m. time slot when conservation was necessary,” said member Keith Messner. “But even if I am at home, I have found that I can pre-chill or pre-heat the house prior to the peak times so that the house is comfortable and still save money.”

This is a sentiment that another participant in the program shared.

“This program has been wonderful,” said Barbara Stroud of Clinton. “I don’t have central air conditioning, but I pre-cool my home and am fine for those hours until the unit can begin cooling again.”

During the summer, members on the TOU rate are asked to shift energy use from 2–6 p.m. and in winter, from 6–9 a.m.

“I am seeing an approximately 40% savings and that includes charging an electric car,” said Messner.

Meanwhile, Stroud finds the plan works best for her because she doesn’t cook a lot, so she’s been blessed with a lower electric bill each month, made even lower by using less energy during the peak times.

“I really haven’t had to change my habits,” she said. “And if my family is visiting on the weekend, the rate doesn’t impact us then either.”

Messner has all his thermostats set to pre-chill or heat about two hours before peak-use time, and during peak time, his heating and cooling units shut off. He also charges his electric vehicle during the super-off-peak time, which is when energy costs are at their lowest.

The time-of-use rate is very beneficial to people with school-aged children and people who work outside the home.

Both members who participate in the program would recommend it, so to learn more about the TOU rate, visit sremc.com.

If you elect to move to the TOU rate, you are under no obligation to stay on it if it does not work for you.

Currently, the TOU rate is not in effect for holidays and weekends.