Time of Use Rates

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Time of Use Brochure

Time of Use Rate 61A (effective April 1, 2011)

Time of Use Request Form

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 use off- peak, we can avoid the need to build new generation plants. In addition, off-peak use 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?

When you shift electric use to periods of lower demand (off-peak), you can potentially save hundreds of dollars each year. Shifting your electric use to off-peak hours helps Coast Electric avoid peak demand charges, and we can pass those savings on to our members.

5. What are the on-peak and off-peak hours for residential accounts?

*The time of use rate for residential members has 88 percent of all hours as off-peak.

RESIDENTIAL ONLY Rate 61A

Summer Period (May-October)

On-peak: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

Off-peak: All other times including all day Saturday and Sunday

Winter Period (November-April)

On-peak: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

On-peak: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Off-peak:  All other times including all day Saturday and Sunday

Off-peak:  Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

6. What are the on-peak and off-peak hours for commercial accounts?

Summer Period (May-October)

On-peak: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Off-peak: All other times off-peak

Winter Period (November-April)

On-peak: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

On-peak: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Off-peak:  All other times off-peak

7. 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 approximately 75 percent or more of their total electricity use off-peak. 

8. What behaviors can I change that will help me make a difference in lowering my electric bill?

• 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 be 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 during off peak times.
• Move cooking to off-peak hours

9. Could I end up paying more money on the TOU rate?

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 use patterns, you could pay more.

 

However, with Coast Electric’s six month guarantee, you don’t have to risk paying more. (The six month guarantee is for the first time you try TOU rates only)

 

Coast Electric members who sign up for Time of Use (TOU) rates are entering into an agreement with the cooperative for a minimum of six months. The agreement will continue until terminated by either party with at least 30 days of written notice. Accounts disconnected for nonpayment will be removed immediately from the TOU rate. Once terminated, the TOU rate will not be available for members at that location for a period of 12 months.

After six months, if a member determines that the amount paid using a TOU rate is greater than the amount they would have paid with the standard rate, that member may cancel the TOU agreement and request a credit for the difference.

 

For example, if a member used $600 worth of electricity in the initial six-month period during which they had a TOU rate, and the member determines that they would have only incurred a $500 charge using the standard rate, this member has the right to cancel their TOU agreement and will receive a credit for $100. If a member chooses not to cancel the agreement at the end of the six-month period, they forfeit their savings and will not be entitled to a credit for the difference.

10. 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. If you cancel the time of use rate, the TOU rate will not be available for members at this location for a period of 12 months.

11. 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 or contact any office for assistance.

12. How do I sign up for the TOU rate? 
Sign up at any Coast Electric office or call 1-877-769-2372.

13. What are the current TOU rate amounts?

Current rates are listed here or you can call us at 877-769-2372.

14. 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 daily service charge for those with TOU rates is slightly higher than the daily service charge for those with standard rates due to the cost of the TOU meter.

15. 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.

16. How does my TOU meter know which hours are peak hours and which hours are off-peak hours?

Coast Electric’s meter department employees program TOU meters with our off- and on-peak hours. There is an internal clock and battery that allow the meter to determine members’ use for any particular time period. TOU meters are also programmed to recognize daylight savings time. As you may know, Coast Electric is implementing a new Automated Meter Reading system which means members will receive new meters that communicate information over our electric distribution lines to substations. When the Automated Meter Infrastructure program is fully implemented, TOU meters will register off- and on-peak times via a signal from a central server at Coast Electric’s headquarters.

17. What happens if the battery inside my TOU meter dies?

Batteries in TOU meters are good for seven years. Once Coast Electric implements the Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) throughout Coast Electric’s electric distribution system (estimated completion date of May 2012), the batteries will not be needed. All TOU meters will be changed out to AMI-ready meters when the substation equipment installation is completed.

 

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