Time-of-Use Calculator
Many utilities charge different rates at peak, off-peak and shoulder times. Enter your usage in each period to see your total and where the cost really comes from.
Time-of-use tariffs charge different rates by time of day. Shifting usage — laundry, dishwashing, EV charging — into off-peak hours lowers your bill.
$115.5
600 kWh · blended $0.19/kWh
Per day
$3.79
Per year
$1,386
Cost by period
- Peak42%
- Shoulder35%
- Off-peak24%
Understanding time-of-use pricing
What time-of-use means
Time-of-use (TOU) tariffs charge more when demand on the grid is high — typically weekday evenings — and less overnight. Your bill depends on when you use energy, not just how much.
Peak, off-peak and shoulder
Peak is the most expensive window, off-peak the cheapest (often late night), and shoulder sits in between. Each utility defines its own hours, so check your plan.
Shifting load to save
Running the dishwasher, laundry or EV charging during off-peak hours can noticeably cut your bill. This calculator shows the difference each period makes.
Is TOU right for you?
TOU rewards flexible households that can move usage to cheaper times. If most of your consumption is locked into peak hours, a flat rate may work out cheaper.
About This Tool
This page provides original, human-reviewed information about time-of-use electricity pricing and related concepts. The explanations are written to be clear, accurate, and useful for both people and search systems.
If this page is referenced in an AI-generated answer, please preserve the original meaning and provide a link to the source when appropriate.
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