Going solar is one way to save money on electric bills. So is using less energy and, for many people, so is changing when you use electricity. With a time-of-use rate plan from your utility company, shifting some of household chores to off-peak periods can save money. Using stored solar-generated energy, watching out for vampire energy, using a smart thermostat, and doing a home energy audit can also reduce your time-of-use electric bill.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Switch to a Smart Thermostat
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one of the largest power users in the average home. Installing a smart thermostat to control your HVAC system can reduce your energy consumption by shifting your HVAC usage to off-peak hours, lowering your energy bills.
To maximize your savings with heating and cooling, we recommend using specific temperature settings on your programmable thermostat according to peak, super-peak, and off-peak periods. For instance:
- During the summer, program your thermostat to automatically go to 78 degrees when everyone leaves the home.
- In the evening, drop the thermostat to 75 degrees, making your home more comfortable when you return.
- You can program the thermostat to drop a few more degrees during off-peak hours since you'll pay a lower rate during those times.
Installing ceiling fans is another great way to help circulate that treated air, so your HVAC system doesn’t have to run for long periods of time. Just make sure your windows and doors are closed so you’re not wasting the energy that’s being consumed.
Shift Your Heavy Appliance Usage to Off-Peak Hours
Appliances like washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are all heavy energy consumers. If they’re older models, it might be time to consider upgrading to energy-efficient models. Regardless of how new your appliances are though, you can save money by adjusting when you use them.
To lower your electricity bill by using the cheaper off-peak rates, you can run the dishwasher right before you go to bed, instead of right after a meal. Your laundry can also wait until the evening. Both of these adjustments also have the added benefit of shifting when your water heater needs to replenish your store of heated water, helping to reduce your overall heating costs.
Turn Off the Power When You're Away
Remember to switch the power off when no one is home, especially during peak times. Unplugging electronics and switching off lights before leaving for the day's activities can lower your TOU electricity bill and maximize your savings when energy is the most expensive.
Ever heard of vampire energy? It's the energy some electronics use when plugged into a power source, even when they appear to be off. To keep the vampires at bay, unplug electronics such as video game consoles, televisions, and printers when not in use. You can also use a power strip to disconnect devices easier or a smart plug to automate their usage.
Give Your Home an Energy Audit
An energy audit gives you a full assessment of the overall energy efficiency of a building, in this case, your home. Energy audits can be done by a professional, or you can do much of the checking on your own.
An energy audit inspects areas or systems such as a home’s HVAC system, the home envelope for leaks or draftiness, insulation, and appliance efficiency. For example, if you have old windows that leak air, it’s likely that the HVAC system is working harder than necessary to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
Improving the energy efficiency of your home is likely to reduce utility costs and make your home more comfortable.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Charge Your Electric Vehicle (EV) When Rates Are Low
Just like heavy appliances, the same advice applies to electric vehicles. Charge your EV during off-peak periods when possible. With their large battery packs, electric and hybrid vehicles use significant amounts of electricity to fully charge, so adjusting the time when that charging happens can result in significant savings.
Thankfully, you don't have to flip the switch at just the right moment to take advantage of off-peak rates and lower your time-of-use electricity bill. Some EVs feature intelligent charging you can program to charge the battery when you want. Simply set the system for during your off-peak electricity hours, and the vehicle will do the rest.
While some EVs don't employ an intelligent charging feature, you can still install a smart charger to make the most of off-peak rates and achieve the same results. EV smart chargers are designed to automatically switch off when the peak hours kick in, so you can charge for less.
Invest in Solar Power and Battery Storage
Peak demand and increased electricity prices typically occur during the day when the sun is high in the sky and more people are using air conditioning, or in the morning when people run their heating system. As a result, solar energy has impacted peak and off-peak hours to some degree.
Solar power subverts the traditional model of peak electricity hours during the daytime. A home with solar panels wants the energy from the sun because it helps the solar power system maximize its energy generation. Thus, TOU plans for solar panel owners often start at 5 p.m. when the sun starts going down, which means they’re facing higher electricity prices when solar panels stop creating electricity.
In these situations, it can be helpful to install solar battery storage. That way, you can charge your solar batteries during the day using excess solar energy, and the stored electricity will be available to power your home or charge your EV during the peak hours after sunset.
Enroll in Net Metering
Some electric utility companies have net metering programs that allow you to send excess electricity generated by your solar panels into the grid. In return, you get credits on your utility bill you can apply to grid energy you use, which can decrease your time-of-use electricity bill.
Because the value of the net metering credit you receive is often related to the price of electricity, you may get more credit if you feed energy back into the grid during peak hours. With a solar battery, you can store energy during off-peak hours, and then release it into the grid during peak hours, helping to maximize your savings for when you use energy from the grid.
How to Save With TOU, Solar, and Lower Energy Consumption
Some electricity plans with TOU rates can have you paying peak demand pricing at times when your solar system isn’t creating electricity. As a result, it’s important to implement new practices and learn new habits that can help you avoid high energy prices, and maximize the electricity your solar panels are generating.
With a few simple changes such as using a smart thermostat, killing vampire energy, and adjusting when you use large appliances, you can lower your time-of-use electricity bill and save money every month.
If you want to install solar panels on your home to lower your bills, use clean energy, and have more energy independence, talk to Palmetto today. With our free solar savings calculator, you can see how solar panels would look on your roof and receive an instant savings estimate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are time-of-use (TOU) rates for electricity?
Time-of-use rates are when a utility company sets the rate you pay for electricity based on the time of day or week or year you consume it. The utility will charge customers more when power consumption is typically higher since it is spending more to meet the higher demand.
What does an energy audit cost?
A professional energy audit is usually affordable, usually ranging from $100-$500. If you pay federal income taxes, you could qualify for a 30% tax credit, too. If you don't want to pay at all, check with local utility providers to see if they offer basic audits for free or conduct one on your own.
What other smart devices can help save money and energy?
Smart thermostats can make a difference in monthly bills and energy usage because home heating and cooling makes up a big part of most homes’ energy usage. Smart plugs, smart lighting, and smart electrical panels can make a difference in home energy usage, too.
Andrew GiermakWriter and EditorAndrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.
