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Demand Time-of-Use

Can you avoid using a lot of power during periods when people typically use energy the most? If so, our residential Demand Time-of-Use pricing plan might be right for you.

How does Demand Time-of-Use work?

This plan combines lower usage-based rates for most of the day with higher usage rates during on-peak hours. It also includes a monthly “demand” charge based on your highest hourly usage during on-peak hours. So if you can spread out your use of large electric appliances during lower-cost, off-peak hours, this plan gives you the power to reduce your monthly bill.

Under this plan, you could maximize your savings by avoiding the simultaneous use of your oven, clothes dryer, dishwasher and other large appliances during higher-cost, on-peak hours: 3-7 p.m. during the summer (May-September) and 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. during the winter (October-April).

With Demand Time-of-Use, timing is everything. The more you are able to even out and shift your usage away from peak hours, the better off you’ll be. Your savings will vary based on your usage patterns.

What are the potential advantages of this plan?

By adding a demand rate to the traditional time-of-use pricing structure, customers on the Demand Time-of-Use plan have even more opportunity to lower their energy costs by making smart choices about when they use energy.

TEP's service costs are driven by the need to satisfy customers’ highest demand, even if it only occurs once each month. When that maximum usage level goes down, so does the cost of providing all of our customers with safe, reliable service.

Our Demand Time-of-Use plan is designed to reward customers who do their part to reduce the peak demand on the electric grid during peak usage periods. Reducing the peak energy demand promotes more efficient use of our energy resources and can help limit future rate increases.

What are the potential disadvantages of this plan?

If you use a lot of power during on-peak hours, your energy costs could increase under our Demand Time-of-Use rate. That’s particularly true if your hourly demand reaches a high level even once per billing cycle. The higher Demand Charge that results from such usage reflects the cost of resources and facilities TEP must build and maintain to satisfy even occasional needs during peak usage periods.

How can I shift my electric usage to off-peak time periods?

  • Operate washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers and other large appliances during off-peak hours.
  • Adjust your thermostat to reduce heating and cooling during on-peak hours or when you are not at home.
  • Install timers on electric water heaters and recirculation pumps so they operate mainly during off-peak hours.
  • Set timers on pool and spa pumps to run during off-peak hours.
  • Turn off all but essential lights during on-peak hours.
  • Enjoy electricity-consuming hobbies during the off-peak hours.
  • If you have an electric vehicle, charge it during off-peak hours.

TIME-OF-USE HOURS

TIME-OF-USE HOURS

SUMMER: May toSeptember

Days midnight to 3 p.m. 3 to 7 p.m. 7 p.m. to midnight
MONDAY toFRIDAY OFF-PEAK ON-PEAK OFF-PEAK
 
WEEKENDS & MAJOR HOLIDAYS OFF-PEAK

Major holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day. If Independence Day falls on Saturday, the weekend schedule applies on the preceding Friday, July 3. If Independence Day falls on Sunday, the weekend schedule applies on the following Monday, July 5. All weekends are off-peak.

TIME-OF-USE HOURS

WINTER: October toApril

Days midnight to 6 a.m. 6 to 9 a.m. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6 to 9 p.m. 9 p.m. to midnight
MONDAY toFRIDAY OFF-PEAK ON-PEAK OFF-PEAK ON-PEAK Not applicable
 
WEEKENDS & MAJOR HOLIDAYS OFF-PEAK

Major holidays include Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. If Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Saturdays, the weekend schedule applies on the preceding Fridays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. If Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Sundays, the weekend schedule applies on the following Mondays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. All weekends are off-peak.


¹ Includes Energy/Delivery and Power Supply charges but excludes the Purchased Power and Fuel Adjustment Clause charge.

² The maximum one-hour measured demand during the on-peak hours of a billing period. In the summer (May-September), the on-peak period is 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Memorial Day, Independence Day and Memorial Day). In the winter (October-April), on-peak periods are 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.) All weekends are off-peak.

Sign Up

To choose this or change your existing plan, log in to My Account or call us at five two zero six two three seven seven one one.

At a Glance

Basic Service Charge:
$12 - single phase
$17 - three phase

Energy Charge, per kWh1:
Summer (May-Sept)
On-peak - 14.37 cents
Off-peak - 7.29 cents
Winter (Oct-Apr)
On-peak - 8.43 cents
Off-peak - 7.58 cents

Demand Charge, per kW2:
Up to 7 kW - $11.60
More than 7 kW - $16.85

On-peak hours:
Summer: M-F 3-7 p.m.
Winter: M-F 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m.
Excludes all major holidays

Plan Includes:

  • A Basic Service Charge that covers some fixed-service costs such as metering, service lines, customer service and billing functions and some distribution system expenses.
  • A usage-based Energy Charge for on-peak and off-peak hours.
  • A Demand Charge that reflects the cost of satisfying peak energy needs.
  • A requirement that customers who leave this plan cannot return to Demand Time-of-Use for at least 12 months.

Other Options

We offer multiple pricing plans for residential customers:

► Basic

► Time-of-Use (TOU)

► Peak Demand

Tucson Electric Power: Pricing Planner

Pricing Planner

TEP offers a variety of pricing plans for residential customers. The Pricing Planner can help you decide which plan is right for you.