Beginning with the October 2026 billing cycle, all Heber Light & Power residential customers will be moved to the opt-out Time-of-Use (TOU) rate. The information in this article will help you prepare for the change.

Time-of-use (TOU) electric rates are designed to encourage customers to use electricity when demand on the power grid is lower. Electricity costs more during peak demand hours and less during off-peak hours. Heber Light & Power’s on-peak hours are 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Friday, which means shifting energy use outside those hours can significantly reduce your monthly electric bill without sacrificing comfort.

The first step to saving money on TOU rates is understanding which household activities use the most electricity. Major energy users typically include air conditioning systems, electric water heaters, clothes dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens, and electric vehicle chargers. By scheduling these appliances to operate during off-peak hours, you can avoid paying the higher on-peak rate.

Air conditioning is often the largest contributor to summer electric bills. One effective strategy is to "pre-cool" your home before 3:00 PM. Lowering the thermostat slightly during the late morning and early afternoon can help keep your home comfortable when rates increase. During the on-peak period, raise the thermostat a few degrees and use ceiling fans to improve comfort. Keeping blinds and curtains closed on sunny windows can also reduce heat gain and lessen the workload on your cooling system.

Laundry can easily be shifted to lower-cost hours. Instead of running the washer and dryer during the evening, consider doing laundry either before 3:00 PM or after 10:00 PM. Similarly, dishwashers often have delay-start settings that allow you to load dishes after dinner and have the machine run later during the night when electricity rates are lower.

If you own an electric vehicle, charging habits can have a major impact on your bill. Charging after 10:00 PM or during weekend hours can help you take advantage of lower-cost electricity. Most EVs and charging stations include scheduling features that automatically start charging at a designated time.

Cooking is another area where small changes can produce savings. During on-peak hours, consider using smaller appliances such as slow cookers, pressure cookers, microwave ovens, or air fryers, which generally consume less energy than a full-sized electric oven. Preparing meals earlier in the day can also reduce electricity use during expensive peak periods.

Water heating is often overlooked, but many electric water heaters can be programmed to heat water primarily during off-peak hours. Taking advantage of lower-priced periods to heat and store hot water can reduce costs while maintaining a reliable supply for household needs.

Energy efficiency improvements also make a difference regardless of the time of day. Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, sealing air leaks, improving insulation, and maintaining heating and cooling equipment can reduce overall electricity consumption and increase the benefits of a TOU rate plan. Simple things like planting a tree to shade the outdoor AC unit during the afternoon can go a long way in reducing power needs.

By planning energy use around the 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM weekday on-peak period, households can lower electric costs while helping reduce stress on the power grid. Simple adjustments such as pre-cooling your home, delaying appliance use, charging electric vehicles overnight, and improving overall efficiency can add up to meaningful savings throughout the year.