Peak electricity times are the hours at which energy consumption is highest. They can vary depending on the year and where you live. Peak electricity hours are when electricity costs are at their highest. Your utility company and the rate plan you choose will determine how much you pay to use electricity during peak hours.
Timings: What Are Peak Electricity Hours?
It is as simple as looking at your usage patterns to estimate peak electricity hours for your area. The energy usage patterns within a community tend to be fairly consistent. If you are using the most electricity, then it is likely that your neighbors are too.
Here are some examples of peak times in different time zones.
| Eastern | 2 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Central | 1 PM – 5:30 PM |
| Mountain | 8 PM – 11 AM |
| Pacific | 5 PM – 9PM |
| Eastern – Peak 1 | 6 AM-10 AM |
| Eastern – Peak 2 | 6 PM – 10 pm |
| Central – Peak 1 | 5 AM – 9AM |
| Central – Peak 2 | 5 PM – 9PM |
| Eastern – Peak 1 | 6 AM-10 AM |
| Eastern – Peak 2 | 6 PM – 10 pm |
| Central – Peak 1 | 5 AM – 9AM |
| Central – Peak 2 | 5 PM – 9PM |
| Mountain | 7 PM-10 PM |
| Pacific – Peak 1 | 6 AM-10 AM |
| Pacific – Peak 2 | 5 PM – 8:30 PM |
Time of Use Rates: How To Save Money
1. You can use more electricity during the off-peak hours
Strategically changing your energy usage during off-peak times could help you save money and make energy savings if you are on a TOU plan. Your electric bill could be affected if you run energy-hungry appliances like the washer, air conditioner, or electric vehicle charger at low electricity prices.
2. Utilise Home Battery Solutions
A home battery solution is another way to reduce your Time of Use rates. You can avoid higher energy costs by charging your home battery in off-peak hours and then using it during peak hours. A home battery solution can also protect you from blackouts and outages.
3. Solar Plus Storage
Installing solar + battery storage is the best way to reduce your Time of Use and even eliminate your bill. A well-designed system will produce plenty of solar power during daylight hours. The excess power is stored in a battery. You can use your solar battery to provide all your energy needs during the evening peak hours. This means you don’t have to pay for expensive peak-hour electricity from your utility. This can lead to significant savings.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD Solar offers knowledgeable and efficient solar panel installation in Oklahoma! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!
