Time of Use Pricing - How it Works

It’s about time.

With the Time of Use Pricing plan, saving on energy isn’t about using less electricity, it’s about using electricity at the right times. The more flexibility you have when using major electrical appliances, the more you can control your bill and potentially save.

It’s easy to learn what to shift. Major appliances that consume the most electricity and are the easiest to shift are dishwashers, ovens, cloth dryers, washing machines and A/C. Shifting other electrical household items such as computers, lamps, fans, TVs etc. can be done, but shifting them to non-peak hours will not save you much. Shifting gas fired appliances will not affect your savings at all. For more information on how much electricity average household appliances use, review the Appliance Load Reference Sheet. Examples of easy tweaks to your day can be:

• Run your dishwasher before going to bed, not right after dinner
• Wash and dry your clothing on the weekend
• Use your oven to make major meals on the weekends, reheat or make quicker meals during the week
• Set your thermostat one to two degrees to a higher temperature in the summer

It’s easy to learn when to shift. The more that you shift big electricity use away from peak hours (2 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays) to non-peak hours, the more you can save each month. It’s really that easy. And since this pricing plan rewards you for the shifts you make throughout the month, occasional on-peak use will still give you the chance to save.

If your goal is to maximize potential savings on an annual basis and you have the ability to be flexible with when you use your electricity, you are a great candidate for this plan. But, if you give it a try and it doesn’t work for you, you can opt-out and return to the standard rate anytime within your first six months.

•  On-Peak Period
• Summer and winter weekdays except holidays, between 2 and 6 p.m.
• Shift appliances away from these hours to Shoulder or Off-Peak periods
• Shoulder Period
  • Summer and winter weekdays except holidays, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and between 6 and 9 p.m.
  • Summer and winter weekends and holidays, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
  • It is not as expensive to use electricity here, but try to shift appliances away from these hours to the Off-Peak period.
• Off-Peak Period
  • Summer and winter daily, between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.

• All customers who participate in the CO Pricing Plan program may opt out within six months (or choose to switch to another plan). After this initial six month grace period, customers must remain on the plan for a minimum of 12 months from enrollment.
• In order to enroll, you must submit information about your home by logging into My Account or calling us at 800-895-4999 and completing a survey. You will receive an email confirming your enrollment in the program.
• All customers who participate in the plans must receive a new meter, at NO cost to you. This meter will capture electricity data at a more frequent intervals than the standard meter currently at your home. You will have access to this new data via “My Account”.

Please note: as part of these new plans, it will be necessary to select a random group of customers to be a part of a control group that will measure the effectiveness of the plans. If you are selected for the for the control group, you will remain on your current rate and will not be billed on the new plan. You will have a new meter installed, but you will not have access to the interval data. While you will not be on the plan, your participation will be just as crucial to the success of these plans.

Tips to Save

Can you be flexible when you use appliances?

Watch fun videos to see how easy it can be.

Plan FAQ

Want to dig deeper on Time of Use Pricing?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions to learn why and how it all works.

Solar Plans

If you have a rooftop solar system, you'll want to know how Time of Use Pricing interacts.

Visit our solar-specific page to get the answers.

Rate Schedule

View the Time of Use Pricing base prices as filed with the Colorado Public Utility Commission.

Please note: the base prices in this document do not include adjustments. Refer to the Rate Card for adjustment amounts and the Pricing Plan Comparison above for rounded prices that include adjustments.