Time of Use rates are electricity prices that change depending on the time of day you use energy. They’re designed to reflect fluctuations in demand. The cost is lower during off-peak hours, when demand is lower, and higher during peak hours, when demand is at its highest.

For example, if you run your dishwasher at 12 a.m., during an off-peak period, it will cost less than running it at 6 p.m., during peak hours. This new rate gives you more flexibility to save money by making small adjustments to when you use electricity.

It’s about more than saving money, though. Using energy during off-peak hours can also help balance demand on the power grid, which helps contribute to the energy system.

We’re offering a TOU rate for a few key reasons. First, it’s about providing options. TOU pricing gives you new ways to control your energy bill.

Second, it’s about making the grid more efficient. When we shift some energy use to off-peak times, it reduces strain during high-demand periods. That makes the system more reliable and helps lengthen the life of our infrastructure.

Finally, it aligns with our energy goals. When demand is spread more evenly, it’s easier to rely on renewable resources, such as hydro, solar, and wind. This pricing system is part of a long-term plan to create a more sustainable energy future for our communities.

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Go to the Utility Services Website and log into your Utility Services profile. If you don't have a profile yet, click Register Now to create one. Please note, it will take 24 - 48 hours after registering for a profile to gain access to Energy Insights.
2. After you log in, you’ll see the Account Overview page. On the left side, click the service address of the account you want to manage. If you have more than one service address, make sure you choose the correct one.
3. On the account page, you’ll see a summary of your recent bill and a menu bar on the right side. Click View Rate Options and Energy Insights. This opens the Energy Insights tool.
4. In Energy Insights, find the Your Rate Plans section. Click Compare All Plans.
5. Scroll down and click Learn More under the Time of Use Rate.
6. Click the Enroll in this rate plan button in the top right corner.
7. Review the Time of Use rate pricing details, check the boxes, and click the Enroll Now button.

That's it!

You will get a confirmation email that lets you know your request is being processed. In 5-7 days, you will get a welcome email with more information about the rate. Your enrollment will be active starting from the date you enrolled.

Energy Insights is an online platform accessed through the Utility Services Website that provides personalized insights into how you use energy. The tools deliver opportunities for energy savings through education.

Inside Energy Insights, you can:

• Compare rate options. See personalized bill estimates for each available rate to easily compare costs.
• Sign up for a new rate. If Time of Use looks like a good fit, you can sign up.
• Further personalize bill estimates with a quick quiz. See how changing energy habits or when you consume energy could change your bill at different rates.
• Compare past bills. Look at recent bills side by side to better understand how your energy use changes over time.
• See a bill forecast. Check how your current bill is trending before your billing period closes.
• Track energy use and bills. View recent usage and billing data so you can explore trends.

Getting started is easy:

1. Go to the Utility Services Website and log into your Utility Services profile. If you don’t have a profile yet, click Register Now to create one. Please note, it will take 24 - 48 hours after registering for a profile to gain access to Energy Insights.
2. After you log in, you’ll see the Account Overview page. On the left side, click the service address of the account you want to manage. If you have more than one service address, make sure you choose the correct one.
3. On the account page, you’ll see a summary of your recent bill and a menu bar on the right side. Click View Rate Options and Energy Insights. This opens the Energy Insights tool.

• You must have an advanced meter (also called an Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI meter). An advanced meter is a digital meter that records your energy use every 5 or 15 minutes and sends the data wirelessly to Seattle City Light. This data allows City Light to bill you based on when you use electricity, not just how much you use, allowing you to take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours.
  • To check if you have an advanced meter:
    • On your meter, look for a seven-digit number that starts with a "2" on the meter’s badge.
    • On your bill, find the meter number under the "Detailed Billing Information" section. A seven-digit number starting with a "2" indicates it is an advanced meter.
• You must have a Utility Services Website profile. If you don't have a profile, you can sign up today! Please note, it will take 24 - 48 hours after registering for a profile to gain access to Energy Insights.
• Customers on the Utility Discount Program, Budget Billing, or GreenUp are eligible to participate. Budget Billing and GreenUp customers will experience recalculations shortly after enrollment.
• Currently, we are not offering the TOU rate to net metering (solar) customers, but we are exploring ways to make it available to them in the future.
  • If you’re a net metering customer looking to save on your bill now, you may qualify for these programs:
    • Retail home energy efficiency rebates
    • Bill assistance programs
    • Investing in home upgrades

Currently, we are not offering the TOU rate to net metering (solar) customers, but we are exploring ways to make it available to them in the future.

If you’re a net metering customer looking to save on your bill now, you may qualify for these programs:

• Retail home energy efficiency rebates
• Bill assistance programs
• Investing in home upgrades

On observed holidays, mid-peak pricing applies all day from 6 a.m. to midnight (with no peak hours). City light observes holidays defined by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If any of these fall on a Sunday, the NERC holiday is observed on the following Monday. If they fall on a Saturday, the holiday remains on that Saturday.

The TOU rate is billed monthly. When you switch from the Flat rate to TOU, you will transition from bi-monthly to monthly billing on the enrollment date. Once enrolled in TOU, the TOU rate will be active from the date of your enrollment request.

You can unenroll from the TOU rate at any time. However, if you do unenroll, there is a 12-month waiting period before you can re-enroll in the TOU rate.

An advanced meter (also called an Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI meter) is a digital meter that records your energy use every 5 or 15 minutes and sends the data wirelessly to City Light using radio frequency waves. This is like the wireless communications used by cell phones and Wi-Fi. The meters transmit data for a maximum of 90 seconds per day.

To check if you have an advanced meter:

• On your meter, look for a seven-digit number that starts with a "2" on the meter’s badge.
• On your bill, find the meter number under the "Detailed Billing Information" section. A seven-digit number starting with a "2" indicates it is an advanced meter.

If you see these numbers, you have an advanced meter. Having one is necessary to participate in the Time of Use rate because the data allows City Light to bill you based on when you use electricity, not just how much you use.