Time-of-Use Rates
The cost of electricity with Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plans are based on when you use it. Rates are more expensive on weekdays between 4-9 p.m. and cheaper at all other times.
- TOU rates encourage you to use energy when it is cleanest and least expensive, and to reduce energy use when the sun has gone down and more polluting fossil-fuel generation is used.
- By using less electricity during the peak hours of 4-9 p.m., you can lower your bill and help California fight climate change by meeting its goal of 100% clean, zero-carbon energy by 2045.
It's possible to reduce your electricity bill without changing your usage habits. However, by making small adjustments to your energy consumption, such as running the dishwasher and doing laundry during off-peak hours, you can further benefit from a Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate plan.
If you wish to remain on a non-TOU rate plan, you may decline to participate in the transition.
Ways to Save with Time-of-Use
The Power of Choice
If you do nothing, you will be automatically defaulted to the TOU rate plan most beneficial for you based on your past energy use and billing.
Alternatively, you can visit SCE to choose your TOU plan. There are three different TOU rate plans:
- TOU 5-8 P.M.This rate plan benefits households who can lower their energy usage between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. For example, if you stay up late, try using major appliances like your dishwasher after 8 p.m.
- TOU 4-9 P.M.
This rate plan benefits households who can reduce their energy usage between 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. For example, if you end the night early, take advantage of lower rates earlier in the day.
- TOU PRIME
This plan is for households with electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicles, a residential battery, or an electric heat pump system for water or space heating. This rate is only available for customers who can attest to ownership of certain clean energy technologies. TOU PRIME does not qualify for bill protection.
Benefits of Time-of-Use Rate Plans
Try it Risk Free with Bill Protection
Bill Protection is available to residential customers who automatically or voluntarily enroll in one of the two default TOU plans and have started service with SCE prior to 10/1/2020, have not previously been active on a TOU rate plan (TOU-D-4-9PM or TOU-D-5-8PM), and are not a NEM 2.0 customer.
Here is how bill protection works:
If you pay more on a TOU rate plan than you would have paid on your previous tiered rate plan for the first 12-months, you will receive a one-time bill credit for the difference after the 12th month. If you choose to return to your tiered rate plan before the end of the first-12 months, you will receive a bill credit if applicable for the time you were on the TOU rate plan. For example, if you select a TOU plan but in your third month decide the tiered plan was better for you, you will receive a credit for the three months’ difference if you paid more than you would have had you not switched to TOU. DCE and SCE customers are free to change back to any existing eligible rate at any time, but timing may impact your bill protection eligibility.
Unless you opted to stay on a current tiered rate, most DCE residential customers who started electric service prior to October 1, 2020, will be automatically switched to a default TOU rate by both Southern California Edison (“SCE”) and DCE by April 1, 2022, and will receive 12 months of bill protection. Customers who are not automatically switched to a default TOU rate but who voluntarily switch to a default TOU-D-4-9PM or TOU-D-5-8PM rate at any time between November 1, 2021, and April 1, 2022, will be eligible to receive bill protection. Customers who started electric service after October 1, 2020, have already been defaulted to TOU rates unless they opted out, and are not eligible for bill protection. Please note, TOU-D-PRIME does not qualify for bill protection.