Truckee Donner Public Utility District

TDPUD is launching a new optional Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate, which incentivizes customers to use energy during “off-peak” hours by providing a cheaper rate when energy is both less expensive to procure and often greener. This gives customers greater control over their energy bills if they make deliberate choices about when they use energy.

TDPUD sees its peak energy usage from 4 to 9 p.m. If customers can shift their energy usage to off-peak times, TDPUD will pass on the benefit it receives (cheaper energy purchases) by lowering the rate it charges during that time. However, the Time-of-Use Rate charges customers a higher rate during peak hours. It’s important to understand your energy usage before enrolling in Time-of-Use, to ensure it’s the right program for your household.

TDPUD Residential Electric Rates

Peak Hours: 4-9 p.m., every day

Off-Peak Hours: all other hours

Interested in Time-Of-Use? Start here:

• Review your energy usage to see if Time-of-Use might be right for you.
  • See the FAQ section for some things to look for to know whether this is the right option for your household.
• Before you enroll, implement changes and track your usage shift in your SmartHub account, to see what kind of difference a Time-of-Use Rate would make for your household. This will also help you get an idea of whether the necessary lifestyle changes are right for you and your household.
• When you’re ready to enroll in TOU, contact TDPUD customer service and ask to be switched to the Time-of-Use Rate.
  • You can change your rate only once every 12 months, so be sure you’re making the right decision for your household’s needs before you enroll.
  •  In most cases, once you enroll the change will take effect in the next billing cycle. The first group to enroll in the program will be limited, so some people who sign up close to the launch may have to wait two billing cycles for the new rate to take effect.

Is Time-of-Use Right For You?

Customers will get the most out of a Time-of-Use Rate if they modify their behavior to shift their energy use to off peak hours. It can be hard for some to avoid chores, cooking and other activities from 4-9pm, and if that’s the case then Time-of-Use wouldn’t be the best option for your household. But if you have the flexibility to achieve energy-intensive tasks during off-peak hours, you’ll see cost savings by enrolling in the Time-of-Use Rate. Here are some key ways to take advantage of TOU rates. If you can make some of the following changes, then Time-of-Use Rate may be a great option for you.

Off-Peak EV Charging

Charging an electric vehicle at home can increase your home's electricity needs by 50% or more! Moving such a large portion of your electricity demand to off-peak hours will result in major savings under a Time-of-Use Rate. Use your EV charger’s timer to set charging time for late at night or earlier in the day, rather than plugging in right when you get home from work. Three hours of charging costs $3.29 under the standard electric rate, but would drop to $2.61 during off-peak hours with a Time-of-Use Rate. If you charge your car every day, that’s a savings of $21 per month! 

Dishwasher Delay

Use your dishwasher’s delay function to set the appliance to run during off-peak times. This is an easy way to shift your usage without having to remember to start the dishwasher once peak period ends. What would usually cost 30 cents will cost 24 cents instead, amounting to a savings of $2 a month if you run the dishwasher daily.

Thermostat Set Points & Pre-Cooling

Pre-cooling is the best way to cut down on AC energy costs under a Time-of-Use Rate, to avoid needing to run it during the peak time when rates are higher. If you run your AC when it is cooler outside—in the early morning and evening—it won’t have to work as hard to bring the temperature down, which will take less energy. With pre-cooling, you aim to cool your home to a few degrees lower than your preferred temperature, and then turn your AC off and coast through the day.

You should also utilize thermostat set points. The EPA recommends 68 and 78 as heating and cooling set points. This is a good place to start, and then you should set it to as warm (summer)/cool (winter) as you can handle. If your home is going to be unoccupied then set your thermostat back to 85 degrees in the summer and 50 degrees in the winter. Don’t let your heating and cooling work overtime when there’s no one home! You can save as much as 2% for every degree you set your thermostat back!

Off-Peak Clothes Washing & Drying

If you can wash and dry your clothes after 9pm or before 4pm, you’ll save 14 cents for every load you do if you switch to a Time-of-Use Rate.

What is a time-of-use rate?

A Time-of-Use Rate applies different electric rates at different times of day for the cost of any electricity you use. The day is split into “peak” and “off-peak” times. Customers who enroll in Time-of-Use are charged a lower rate for the electricity they use in off-peak hours, but a higher rate for peak hours.

What does TDPUD consider peak hours?

Peak hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Off-peak is all other hours.

Why does TDPUD offer a time-of-use rate?

Time-of-Use Rates are a great tool for some customers to save money on their electric bills while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For other ways to reduce your energy use, check out our rebate offerings at tdpud.org/rebate.

The savings that occur by using energy in off-peak times can benefit both the customer and the utility. Energy is cheaper and often greener to purchase during off-peak hours. If customers can shift their energy usage to those times, then TDPUD offers them a lower electric rate, because the energy costs less to procure.

Do all customers have to switch to a time-of-use rate?

No, Time-of-Use is an optional program, and TDPUD only wants customers to switch if it will benefit their household.

How do I know if a time-of-use rate is right for my household?

Time-of-Use is most beneficial for customers who can shift most of their energy use to off-peak hours. This is most attainable for households that utilize electric space heating, air conditioning, electric water heating, and/or EV charging. Check out our guide to see how much money you could save with your specific appliances.

Click image to open as PDF

Before you enroll in time-of-use, it is important to analyze your energy usage and test whether you can make the lifestyle changes necessary to see the benefit of the program.

• Log in to your online TDPUD SmartHub account to review your energy usage. Take note of when your energy use spikes, as well as seasonal trends.
• Do a trial run; implement changes to shift your energy usage to off-peak hours. After a few weeks, review your energy usage once again, and see if you made enough of a change to benefit from the time-of-use rate. 

How do I enroll in time-of-use rate?

Call or email TDPUD’s customer service department at 530-587-3896 or service@tdpud.org to speak to a TDPUD representative who can enroll you in Time-of-Use. In most cases, once you enroll the change will take effect in the next billing cycle. The first group to enroll in the program will be limited, so some people who sign up close to the launch may have to wait two billing cycles for the new rate to take effect.

Do I need to any special equipment to be eligible for the time-of-use rate?

No, the standard meters in TDPUD’s territory already have the capability to measure electricity use in the way that is needed to calculate Time-of-Use. No meter upgrades are necessary.

How can I un-enroll from time-of-use if I realize it’s not the right plan for my household?

TDPUD electric customers can only change their rate once a year. Once you enroll in Time-of-Use you will have to wait 12 months until you are able to change back to the standard rate. This is why it’s important you do some research into understanding whether Time-of-Use is the right option for your household before you enroll.

Are all residential customers eligible to enroll in time-of-use?

No, customers who are enrolled in our equal payments plan or pre-paid program are not eligible for Time-of-Use.

Are commercial customers eligible to enroll in time-of-use?

Not yet. Currently only residential customers are eligible, but we will be working to add commercial customers to this program in the future.