When you use electricity can affect what you pay:
Charge your EV during lower-cost hours
Run laundry when rates are lower
Shift major energy use away from peak hours
Small changes can add up to big savings.
With the time of use electric rate, your electric rate changes based on when you use electricity:
- Highest rates: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. every day (peak hours)
- Lowest rates: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. every day (super off-peak hours)
- Mid-range rates: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – 9 a.m. every day (off-peak hours)
TOU rates work best for customers who:
- Use more than 800 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month
- Have an electric vehicle (EV) or plan to get one
- Can easily shift major electricity usage from Peak period to Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak periods
- Want to support clean energy and grid decarbonization
Customers may be better served with their current E-1 rate if they:
- Use less than 600 kWh per month
- Cannot adjust the times when electricity must be used
- Prefer simple, predictable pricing
sign up at paloalto.gov/timeofuse