Shifting some electricity use to off-peak times is easy once you get used to the typical price patterns. In fact, you might already be using the most electricity during times when hourly prices are low. If you do some of the following, you could save with Power Smart Pricing!

• Do laundry during the evening, in the morning or on weekends when hourly prices tend to be low.
• Run the dishwasher at night, in the morning, or on the weekend. If your dishwasher has a “delay start” option you can easily set it to run when prices are low.
• Reduce your electricity use on weekday afternoons during the summer. (Hourly prices tend to be highest during the summer months, so it’s important to use electricity use wisely during peak summer hours.)
• Run your air conditioning system moderately during summer afternoons. For most households, the central air conditioner is the largest electricity user in the home. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to help manage your air conditioning costs automatically.

Since Power Smart Pricing launched in early 2007, participants have saved an average of 20 percent compared with what they would have paid on the standard fixed rate (based on billing results for December 2007 through December 2009). Similar savings are likely in the future. However, electricity markets can change and future performance levels cannot be guaranteed.