Time of Use Rates

Time of Use Brochure

Time of Use Agreement

Time of Use Six-month Guarantee

Time of Use FAQs

As a consumer, you're accustomed to making money-saving choices and paying lower prices for goods and services used during off-peak times. A number of industries — such as telecommunications and commercial airlines — offer attractive off-peak rates to even out customer demand and prevent system overload.

Coast Electric’s Time-of-Use (TOU) electric rate is based on the same idea. By reducing your electric use during peak times, you have the opportunity to decrease your annual energy costs — without reducing the overall amount of electricity you use.

1. What are Time-of-Use (TOU) rates?
   Coast Electric’s TOU rate is based on the time of day you use electricity and our cost of supplying electricity to you during that time. If you use electricity when the total used by all Coast Electric members is low (off-peak) your rate will be lower than the standard rate. On-peak hours or electricity used during periods of high demand will cost more than the standard rate.
2. Why is Coast Electric offering TOU rates?
   TOU rates provide you with a choice to lower your electricity costs without reducing the total amount of electricity used. By shifting electricity usage off- peak, we can avoid the need to build new generation plants. In addition, off-peak usage will allow our current facilities to operate more efficiently reducing your electricity costs even more.
3. Who is eligible for TOU rates?
   Residential and commercial members are eligible for these rates. (Some restrictions apply)
4. How does a TOU rate lower my bill?
   Coast Electric will replace your current electric meter with a special TOU meter. This meter measures your electric usage at various time of the day. You will be charged a lower rate for electricity used off-peak.
5. What are the on-peak and off-peak hours?
   On-peak: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. year round.
   On-peak: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. November-April.
   Off-peak all other times.
6. What kind of savings might I expect from time-of-use rates?
   The dollar amount saved varies among members. The more electricity that you shift to off-peak, the more money you might save.  TOU rates were designed to offer savings to members that use 70 percent or more of their total electricity usage off-peak.
7. What behaviors can I change that will help me make a difference in lowering my electric bill?
   Move cooking to off-peak hours
   Use automatic timers to run appliances such as water heaters, pool pumps, hot tubs, etc. during off-peak hours. (Note: Timers should be synchronized with peak and off peak times) and should always installed by licensed professionals.
   Install programmable thermostats to shift AC/heating to off peak times.
   Plug computers, printers, and televisions into power strips and turn off at the switch when not in use during peak hours.
   Wash and dry clothes off-peak to shift usage to off peak times.
   
8. Could I end up paying more money on the TOU rates?
   By signing up for the TOU rate, you will most likely be required to make adjustments in your daily routine. If you don't change your energy usage patterns, you could pay more. There's nothing to lose though - check out our six-month guarantee.
9. If I choose to try TOU rates, how long is my commitment?
   Your commitment to staying on the TOU rate is a minimum of six months. If after six months of making lifestyle changes your bill increases, you have the option to cancel your time of use rate.
10. How can I determine if TOU rates are a good option for me?
    To determine if you can benefit from the TOU rate, refer to the chart on the inside of the brochure.
11. How do I sign up for the TOU rate?
    An application is required. Sign up at any Coast Electric office, or fill out this application to print out and mail in. .
12. What are the current TOU rate charges?
    Call us at 800-624-3348 or visit our rate calculators.
13. Are there any sign up fees associated with TOU rates?
    No, there are no initial sign up fees or charges associated with TOU rates. However, the monthly service charge for those with TOU rates is $1.50 more than the monthly service charge for those with standard rates due to the cost of the TOU meter.
14. Are there any restrictions for renters?
    Yes, if your landlord has signed a continuous service agreement with Coast Electric, then you will not be able to participate in the TOU rate program. Please contact your landlord before calling Coast Electric to see if a continuous service agreement is in effect.
    

Coast Electric's Comfort Advantage Home Program is designed to help members minimize their energy consumption. Tell me more about this program.

Time-of-use rates and calculate my bill

If you are interested in signing up for the time of use rate, please fill out the agreement and bring the form to your local office or mail the it to P.O. Box 2430, Bay St. Louis, MS 39521