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Residential Time of Use

How it works!

As a savvy consumer, you know the value of buying products when they’re not in high demand. Candy goes on sale the day after Easter or Halloween. Airlines have better deals outside of spring break. Strawberries cost less when they’re in season and there’s more to go around. The same principle applies for electricity.

Cherryland Electric Cooperative’s Residential Time of Use (TOU) rate offers lower prices for electricity during off-peak hours. You enjoy lower prices when fewer people need electricity and when the demand goes up in the afternoon and evening, the price follows suit. This optional rate doesn’t mean you need to use less electricity, it gives you the control to save by choosing when you use electricity.

Summer Peak Window

The summer peak window lasts from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. starting on May 1 and ending on September 30. During these months, TOU members will be charged $0.10 energy charge during off-peak hours and a $0.200 energy charge during on-peak hours. TOU members will also pay the same $32 availability charge as standard residential rate members.

Winter Peak Window

The winter peak window lasts from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. starting on October 1 and ending on April 30. During these months, TOU members will be charged $0.10 energy charge during off-peak hours and a $0.200 energy charge during on-peak hours. TOU members will also pay the same $32 availability charge as standard residential rate members.

Time of Use FAQ

Nope! This is a completely optional offering for members who want to have more control over when and how they use their energy.

What is a Time of Use rate?

A Time of Use rate allows members to manage their costs by taking advantage of lower costs during off-peak energy use windows. This encourages members to shift their energy usage outside of on-peak energy use windows when power supply costs more. Members who opt-in to this rate will see the same $32 availability charge as standard residential members, a lower $0.10 energy charge during off-peak windows, but a higher $0.200 energy charge during on-peak windows.

Cherryland’s on-peak windows are a direct reflection of the hours we pay peak power supply costs. They change from summer to winter and are:

May – September: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

October – April: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

When you opt-in to Cherryland’s Time of Use rate, you’re locked into that rate for 12 months. If you choose to opt-out after 12 months have passed, you’re not eligible to opt-in again for another 12 months.

Cherryland’s Time of Use rate works best for members who:

  • Are currently on our residential rate. 
  • Have a flexible schedule and can shift their energy usage to off-peak hours when rates are lower.
  • Have an energy-efficient home and can further reduce energy usage during peak hours.
  • Work outside of the home during the day and don’t use much energy during peak hours.
  • Are conscious about energy consumption and willing to make small adjustments to reduce usage during peak hours.
  • Are willing to monitor your energy usage and adjust as needed to take advantage of the lower rates during off-peak hours.

If you’d like a closer look at how our Time of Use rate would impact your bill, be sure to fill out our interest form and we’ll send you an analysis based on your unique usage.

While you don’t have to sign a contract, you will have to sign a form agreeing to the terms of the rate.

You can sign up for the Time of Use rate whenever, as long as you haven’t opt-ed out in the last 12 months.

No, it does not. The net-meter buyback rate is set by our power supplier, Wolverine Power. It is currently under contract for $0.056/kWh. However, any additional usage purchased from Cherryland is eligible for the Time of Use rate.

Learn More!

Ready To Learn More?

Fill out our interest form to receive a personalized rate analysis and find out if Time of Use is right for you!
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