Your Winter Schedule for Time-of-Use Electricity is Starting
Morning shift.
The seasonal peak demand schedule flips on November 1st, shifting the energy peak from afternoons to mornings, now 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Take a few minutes now to update your automated home schedules to ensure you keep saving all winter long.
Avoiding Peak Electricity Rates in Your Winter Morning Routine
Heads up! The energy landscape in your home is about to change. With the calendar flipping to November, your utility’s peak demand schedule is making its annual seasonal shift. This applies to customers of Horry Electric Cooperative and Santee Cooper among others.
Starting November 1st, the most expensive peak period moves from the hot afternoon hours to the chilly morning. Adapting your energy habits to this new schedule is the single most effective way to keep your winter electricity bills low and efficient.
Winter peak electricity months for Horry Electric Cooperative and Santee Cooper are November, December, January, February, and March.
Understanding the Winter Peak
During the summer, the peak rate is driven by extreme demand from air conditioning, placing the peak period in the late afternoon.
Summer peak electricity demand hours are April through October 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
In the winter, the peak rate is driven by the massive surge in demand as everyone wakes up, turns on lights, heats their homes, and runs appliances simultaneously in the morning. This creates a critical bottleneck on the grid.
Winter peak electricity demand hours are November through March 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
The goal remains simple: shift your major energy use outside of the 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM window to maximize savings. The more flexible you are with use and routine, the more you can save. But don’t make yourself crazy trying to improve in every area. It’s important to note that you don’t need to do every single recommendation listed here—even making a few small changes can improve your bill without making big sacrifices.
Reduce electricity usage in the winter months between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM to avoid peak demand charges.
4 Key Adjustments to Maximize Winter Savings
The three-hour winter peak coincides with the busiest time of day for many families, making it crucial to reprogram the largest energy consumers in your home on October 31st after 6:00 PM, before November 1st at 6:00 AM.
1. Thermostat and HVAC Scheduling
Your heating system is likely the biggest energy user in the winter. The key strategy is pre-heating your home using lower, off-peak rates.
The Pre-Heat Strategy: Instead of letting your system run hard at 6:00 AM, program your thermostat to begin a heating cycle 2 to 3 hours before the 6:00 AM peak. Increase the temperature setting by just 2°F to 3°F above your usual target. This uses cheaper, off-peak power to saturate your home's thermal mass (walls, floors, furniture) with heat, making it much easier to maintain comfort during the peak.
Setback During Peak: Once the peak period starts at 6:00 AM, reduce the thermostat setting by 2°F to 3°F below your usual target. Some customers opt for a more aggressive setback to a baseline like 62°F or 65°F. This ensures the furnace or heat pump remains off during the high-cost period unless the indoor temperature drops to an unacceptable level, relying on your pre-heated thermal mass to coast through the peak hours.
Resume Normal: Program the schedule to resume your preferred daytime temperature starting at 9:00 AM.
Improvements: Making improvements to your home like air sealing, insulation, and upgrading the HVAC can help keep costs low. Federal tax credits and state rebates can make these upgrades more affordable, make your home more comfortable, and save on energy bills. Testing can prioritize upgrades and estimate a return on investment (ROI) for each project.
2. Electric Water Heater Timers
Heating water uses a lot of electricity. You want your tank full of hot water ready for morning showers without paying peak rates to heat it.
Adjust the Timer: If your electric water heater uses a timer, ensure it is set to shut off by 6:00 AM, and return to normal operation at 9:00 AM.
Rely on Insulation: A well-insulated water heater tank can keep water hot for several hours. Modern water heater tanks are insulated; wrap older tanks with a fitted water heater blanket for added insulation. Ensure hot water lines in the attic are properly insulated. By heating the water overnight and shutting off the element at 6:00 AM, you can shower comfortably during the peak without paying peak prices.
3. Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
EV charging represents one of the highest, most sustained electrical loads in a modern home.
Use Delay Features: Always use your vehicle’s or your charging station's built-in delay feature or smart charging app.
Program for Off-Peak: Set your charging schedule to stop by 6:00 AM. If you don't need a fully charged battery immediately, schedule it to begin charging after 9:00 AM.
4. Other Energy Users
While these appliances and other devices are not constant loads, running them during the morning peak adds unnecessary cost to your bill.
Laundry & Dishwasher: Use the Delay Start feature on your washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher to automatically begin the cycle after 9:00 AM.
Outdoor Pumps: Confirm that pool pumps, spa pumps, and automated sprinkler systems are set to run only during off-peak hours (e.g., mid-day or overnight).
Lighting: You can largely ignore lighting when planning your winter schedule if you use modern LED bulbs, which draw minimal power and do not contribute significantly to the peak load. Therefore, do not disable outdoor safety lighting or necessary indoor timers—simply ensure any remaining high-wattage lighting (like older incandescent track lights, halogen landscape lights, quartz halogen shelving illumination, etc.) is programmed to remain off between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Computers, Chargers, and Office Equipment: While individual chargers and monitors use relatively low power, avoid running high-wattage equipment like laser printers or large desktop workstations during peak hours. Schedule major system updates or back-ups to run outside the 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM window.
Vacuums & Power Tools: If your robot vacuum is scheduled to clean in the mornings, set the cleaning time frame to end after 9:00 AM, allowing the vacuum to recharge off peak. Charge power tools and landscaping tools after 9:00 AM, especially large batteries.
Unused Appliances and Electronics: Unplug anything you don’t use, or rarely use. Power strips with surge protectors make this a simple task. For example, a television in a guest room that is rarely used will still draw power to be ready to quickly display on the screen. You can test this out by feeling the warmth on the back of the television while it’s powered off but plugged in. Smart televisions and streaming devices are continuously receiving updates and using energy, so best to switch those on as needed. It’s not worth the trouble to do this with devices or electronics you use daily or even weekly, but if it’s not used then unplug it.
Key systems, appliances, and occupant behaviors to change during winter months to avoid high electric bills.
Strategies for a Peak Friendly Breakfast
1. Shift to Microwave and Rapid Cookers
The biggest energy drain in the morning is turning on the main oven or electric stovetop burners. Use smaller appliances that are faster and use a fraction of the power.
Microwave (Lowest Power): Use the microwave for reheating pre-cooked items (like quiche, breakfast burritos, or pancakes) or for quickly scrambling eggs. Its speed makes the peak-rate cost negligible.
Toaster Oven/Air Fryer (Moderate Power): If you must bake or toast, use a small toaster oven or air fryer instead of the main oven. These heat up faster, cook faster, and have smaller elements, reducing total peak-time energy.
Induction Cooktop: While induction uses electricity, it is significantly more efficient and faster than a traditional electric burner, reducing the total time it needs to be running during peak. The higher price tag when purchasing an induction cooktop can be offset with federal tax credits and state rebate programs when available. For folks who cook breakfast on the stove, this can be a great choice to minimize disruption to routine.
2. Prep Ahead Meals and Overnight Prep
Anything you can cook or prepare outside the 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM peak will save money.
Casseroles/Overnight Oats: Prepare and cook items the night before. Use a slow cooker or Crock-Pot for items like breakfast casseroles or egg bakes, finishing the cook cycle before 6:00 AM. They can then be reheated quickly in the microwave.
Pre-made Waffles/Pancakes: Make large batches on the weekend or the night before. Reheat them with a toaster or microwave in the morning.
3. Early Birds Get the Warms
Coffee Maker: These machines draw high power to heat water quickly (750-1200 Watts). Ensure your brewing cycle is programmed for 5:45 AM (to finish before 6:00 AM) so you can pour your first cup without paying peak prices. The warming burner uses a fraction of the electricity to keep your coffee hot (50-150 Watts).
Electric Kettle: If you use an electric kettle for tea or instant oatmeal, schedule this use before 6:00 AM.
Oven: Most of the power consumed by the oven is during the preheat cycle when the element is on continuously. Once the desired temperature is achieved, the insulation in the oven retains most of the heat with the element kicking on in shorter bursts to maintain the temperature. Although other appliances are more efficient, preheating the oven before 6:00 AM is another way to save.
Average wattage rating for appliances. Your appliance may be larger or smaller. Keep in mind that it may be more beneficial to run a higher wattage appliance for a short time, than a more efficient appliance for a longer period.
Your Winter Peak Demand Adjustment Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure every major power draw in your home is set for the new 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM peak schedule starting November 1st.
Click to print: Winter Peak Demand Prep To Do List
The Time-of-Use schedule is a tool for savings, but it requires participation. Taking a few minutes now to reprogram your devices will ensure you save money all winter long! Curious about your electric bill or peak demand pricing? Contact us today at Rappid Energy to learn more about making your home work for you.