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Time of Use Rates
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.
Time of Use FAQ
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.
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.
Residential and commercial members are eligible for these rates. Some restrictions apply.
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.
Summer Period (April 1-Oct. 31)
On-peak: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday
Off-peak: All other times
Winter Period (Nov. 1-March 30)
On-peak: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., Monday - Friday
Off-peak: All other times, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
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% or more of their total electricity use off-peak.
- Use automatic timers to run appliances such as water heaters, pool pumps, hot tubs, etc. during off-peak hours. Timers should be synchronized with peak and off-peak times and should always be installed by a licensed professional.
- 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.
By signing up for the TOU rate plan, 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 the TOU rate plan 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, the 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.
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 TOU rate. If you cancel the TOU rate, it will not be available for members at this location for a period of 12 months.
Sign up at any Coast Electric office or call 877-769-2372.
Current rates are listed here or you can call us at 877-769-2372.
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.
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 automated meter infrastructure system reads off- and on-peak hours. Your meter is also programmed to recognize daylight saving time.
Coast Electric’s Comfort Advantage Home Program is designed to help members minimize their energy consumption. Tell me more about this program.