FAQs

Is there a charge to have a time-of-use meter installed?

No. However, to avoid unnecessary trips by co-op personnel, we suggest you conduct a trial run by observing an off-peak lifestyle and then check your hourly energy consumption via the member portal to see if you are successful in saving.

How do I know if I have saved?

A link to our time-of-use calculator can be found in our website’s top navigation bar. Click on the calculator icon and populate the on- and off-peak data fields.

I only want to be on this rate in summer. Is that allowed?

While you may only experience seasonal savings, depending on your energy lifestyle, this is not a seasonal rate. Some members will save enough in summer or winter to justify remaining on the rate all year long. That’s why we recommend you conduct a trial run.

Do I have to install timers or programmable thermostats to save?

Tideland has no equipment requirement for members to participate. However, you and everyone in your household would have to be extremely disciplined to consistently maintain an off-peak lifestyle. Remember: if you can refrain from heating water during on-peak hours, that’s a 42% savings in summer and a 37% savings in winter for what is typically the second largest household use of energy. Therefore, investing in a timer could quickly pay for itself.

Here’s a sample calculation:
A 4,500-watt water heater that operates for 1 hour uses 4.5 kilowatt hours of energy.

• Operating cost on-peak: $2.25
• Operating cost off-peak: 36¢
• Operating cost standard residential rate (summer): 62¢
• Operating cost standard residential rate (winter): 57¢

How much are time-of-use members currently saving?

In April, the average savings per time-of-use member was $16.37. Only one member experienced a loss of $12.79. In May, the average savings was $26.13 (no losses).

When we billed time-of-use members the first of June the average savings was $26.30. However, eight members did not save on the rate with the average loss being $14.25.

Savings are expected to increase as we move through the warmest days of summer.