Time-of-Use Rates

Time It Right and Save

In May 2019, PWC introduced residential and small non-residential Time-of-Use (TOU) rates to better align the rates we charge with the costs that we pay for electricity.  PWC’s AMI meters provide customers the opportunity to manage their electricity usage during peak and non-peak times through TOU rates.  Customers who shift their usage from peak times will lower their price per kWh thereby lowering their bill and also lowering PWC’s demand rates paid to Duke Energy Progress (DEP).

Time-of-Use Rates are billed with On and Off-Peak Rates.  Off-Peak hours are 35% lower than during peak times.  PWC’s current off-peak rate is 16% less expensive than the flat rate charged before the TOU implementation.

On-Peak hours are only four hours of each weekday, while Off-Peak are 20 hours each day as well as weekends and PWC observed holidays.  Because the demand for electricity changes depending on the seasons of the year, Peak hours are different in the summer and winter months.

Use these helpful TOU tips, to take advantage of Time-of-Use Rates to lower your electric bills by conserving and shifting consumption from peak to off-peak hours. Rates for electricity used during off-peak hours are 35% lower than during peak times.

Summer Peak Hours

April - October from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Mon. - Fri.)

Winter Peak Hours

November - March from 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM (Mon. - Fri.)

**Note that only four hours of the day are considered peak times; 20 hours each day - and all day on weekends and PWC-recognized holidays - are off peak

Time-of-Use Rates Overview

PWC 101 w/ David Trego (PWC General Manager)

Why Time-of-Use?

While PWC electric rates are among the lowest in the state, we want to help you save more. We purchase the power we provide, and it costs more during Peak Hours (when people typically use more). When you shift your power use to Off-Peak Hours, it lowers our Peak demand, and our costs go down. We pass the savings on to you by billing at 35% lower rates during Off-Peak.

PWC Residential Time-of-Use Rate Calculator

The average PWC residential customer uses 1,017 kWhs of electricity each month, 21% during peak hours and 79% during off peak hours.  Customers can save money by adjusting their daily weekday routine and shifting more of their electrical use to the off peak hours when off peak Time of Use rates ($.08473/kWh) are 35% less than on-peak rates ($.13/kWh)

How it works:

Many factors contribute to the cost to provide electricity.  For PWC & as well as other electric providers, power used when electricity is at its highest demand (peak demand) is the most expensive.   For PWC, this cost accounts for over 60% of annual power supply cost or is equal to over $86 million in FY22.  This demand cost has a significant impact on the rates PWC charges for electricity.  When PWC is able to reduce the amount of electricity used during peak hours, demand costs are reduced and PWC can charge less for the electricity consumed during off peak hours.