Cheapest Hours guide

State of Time-of-Use Rates in America

Residential TOU rates are expanding, but availability, terminology, prices, and schedule design still vary widely among utilities and states.

Coverage is uneven

Some utilities make TOU the default residential option, while others offer it only to EV owners, solar customers, or volunteers. Public databases also vary in freshness, so published coverage is not the same as customer eligibility.

Evening peaks are common

Many modern plans concentrate peak prices in late afternoon and evening hours. Solar-heavy regions may add a low midday period. EV-specific plans often reward overnight charging with a deeper discount.

The spread matters

A wide difference between peak and off-peak prices creates a stronger incentive to shift. It also raises the cost of getting the timing wrong. A narrow spread may not justify the effort if fixed charges rise or little use is flexible.

How this page will grow

The current release shows live statistics for configured utility coverage. The refresh pipeline is designed to add utilities as EIA service-territory mappings are reviewed and added, without changing existing URLs.

Rate rules and prices change. Confirm your plan with the utility before making a financial decision.

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