Shift and Save about $18 a Month or more on Your Electric Bill: Smart Energy Tips for 4–9 p.m.
When you use electricity can be just as important as how much you use.
For most SJCE customers, electricity is most expensive between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. every day, when demand is at its peak. During these hours, more people are cooking dinner, cooling their homes, watching TV, and charging devices.
But it turns out one of the easiest ways to reduce your electric bill is to use energy during the day, before 4 p.m., or at night after 9 p.m.
Small changes to your routine could save about $18 a month or more while reducing your carbon footprint.
Why the Hour You Run Your Laundry Actually Matters
Living in the sunshine state, we benefit from lots of solar energy on the grid during the day. That means running your laundry, charging your EV, or doing your dishes during the morning and early afternoon is best for both your wallet and the environment.
After 9 p.m. electricity demand begins to drop again, and batteries storing solar energy are providing clean energy after sundown. That means using energy after 9 p.m. will also save you money.
How Much Could You Save if You Shifted?
Let’s say during the evening your household uses:
- Single window air conditioner (3 hrs): 3 kWh
- Oven: 3 kWh
- Laundry: 3 kWh
- Dishwasher: 1.5 kWh
That’s about 10.5 kWh of electricity that could be shifted from peak to off-peak hours, before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m.
Using a typical summer Time-of-Use rate difference of about 12 cents per kWh, shifting to off-peak times could save:
- 10.5 kWh × $0.12 = $1.25 per day
And assuming major appliances are used every other day:
- $1.25 X 15 days = $18.75 per month
That means you could save over $18 a month on your electric bill by doing the same activities before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m.
If you charge an EV at home, the savings can be much more. A typical daily EV charge can use 15 kWh, costing an extra $1.80 per day during peak rates, or $54 extra per month.
Actual savings will vary based on your rate plan and household usage but even moving a few high-energy activities outside the 4–9 p.m. window can make a noticeable difference.
4–9 p.m. are Peak Hours
Under the standard residential Time-of-Use rate, electricity used during peak hours can cost significantly more than electricity used during off-peak times. Summer rates, from June through September, are the highest. Summer peak rates from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. can exceed 50 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while off-peak rates may cost around 40 cents per kWh depending on your rate plan and usage level.
The good news? Shifting when you use energy easy and automatic.
Five Easy Ways to Shift and Save
1. Run Appliances Later
Load your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer before 9 p.m. and use the delay-start feature to run them after peak hours.
2. Pro-Cool Your Home
If you use air conditioning, cool your home before 4 p.m. Then raise the thermostat slightly during peak hours to reduce energy use when rates are highest.
With SJCE’s Peak Rewards for Smart Homes program, eligible smart thermostats can automatically make these small adjustments and earn up to $25 a year in bill credits – plus a $30 bonus just for signing up.
3. Charge Your EV from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. or Overnight
Electric vehicles are one of the largest energy users in many homes. If you are home during the day, charging your vehicle from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or charging after 9 p.m. can significantly reduce charging costs compared to charging during peak hours.
SJCE’s EV Managed Charging program makes shifting when you charge easy by automatically shifting charging to off-peak hours on high energy use days. You can also earn up to $160 per year as a credit on your electricity bill by scheduling your charging from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with SJCE’s Midday Bonus.
Plus, don’t forget to take advantage of special rate plans for EV owners to help you save even more on your electric bill.
4. Cook Smarter
Consider using a microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, or outdoor grill instead of running the oven during peak hours. These options often use less energy and generate less indoor heat.
5. Turn Off or Unplug What You’re Not Using
Microwaves, toasters, kettles, and other appliances are actually drawing energy when they’re not being used. Called “vampire energy,” these devices are using a little bit of power 24/7 as long as they’re plugged in. Lights, TVs, gaming systems, and electronics left on are also common culprits. Turning off devices when they’re not needed is one of the easiest ways to save energy any time of day.
Plus, you can save even more with SJCE’s Peak Rewards for All program, which rewards customers with bill credits for reducing electricity use during periods of high demand.
Bonus Tip: Use Smart Devices So Shifting is Automatic
Smart thermostats, battery storage systems, and managed EV charging programs can automatically reduce energy use during peak hours while keeping your home comfortable. Programs like SJCE’s Peak Rewards for Smart Homes can help customers earn incentives for shifting energy use when the grid is experiencing high demand.
Small Changes Add Up
You don’t have to completely change your lifestyle to save money. As people are getting home and using more energy between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., electricity demand goes up. This means more expensive energy sources like gas are needed, driving up the costs of electricity. By simply shifting a few energy-intensive activities outside the 4–9 p.m. peak window, you can help lower your bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and power your home with more clean energy.
Start with one or two changes this week and see how much you can save.
