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Infrastructure, fuel costs, various regulations, and energy demand all influence electricity costs in Massachusetts. Certain times of the day see much higher demand, and other times have much lower demand, creating both peak and off-peak hours.
Off-peak hours are usually the cheapest for electricity in the state, whether your utility company is Eversouce, National Grid, or Until.
Learn how peak and off-peak hours differ, when electricity is at its lowest rates in Massachusetts, and how to save money with time-of-use rates.
What Are Peak vs Off-Peak Electricity Hours?
The monthly electricity bill you get in the mail uses a kilowatt-hour pricing structure. While a few types of energy plans are available (fixed-rate, variable-rate, etc.), the time-of-use plan bills you for the electricity you draw from the grid during the actual times you use it, adjusting the energy price as demand fluctuates.
These plans carry a higher rate for electricity during “peak” energy hours (when electricity demand is at its highest) and a lower rate during “off-peak” hours (when demand is lower).
Peak hours are when most people are home and use their electricity the most: after school and work, prime time for cooking dinner, doing laundry, running the AC, taking hot showers, etc. Off-peak hours are typically at night when most people are asleep and appliances and devices are off.
Some utility providers in Massachusetts, such as Until, use various tiers for their time-of-use plans. In addition to peak and off-peak hours, Until also includes a mid-peak tier. Their mid-peak hours are from 6 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday; on-peak hours are from 3 pm to 8 pm Monday through Friday; and off-peak hours are from 8 pm to 6 am Monday through Friday, plus all weekends and holidays.
Time of Use Rates (TOU)
Time-of-use rates charge different kWh rates based on when the energy is used. This billing structure allows customers to help manage electricity costs by shifting energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours when electricity costs are much lower.
Time of use rates may also consider things like the seasons. Summer’s earlier mornings and later evenings may result in a longer peak-hour period at the end of the day, while winter’s later mornings and earlier evenings may shift peak hours to earlier in the day.
Time-of-use rates benefit customers by giving them greater control over the cost of electricity by shifting usage and an incentive to drive more energy-efficient behaviors. For utility companies, they also help reduce the strain on their grids during peak hours, avoid costly infrastructure upgrades, and better balance the load.
When is Electricity Cheapest in Massachusetts?
You’ll generally find the cheapest time-of-use electricity rates in Massachusetts late at night and early in the morning. These are off-peak hours when people are asleep or away from home, so overall energy demand on the grid is low.
National Grid customers’ on-peak hours are 8 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday, so off-peak hours (when electricity is the cheapest) include 9 pm to 8 am Monday through Friday, plus weekends and holidays.
Eversource customers’ on-peak hours are 12 pm to 8 pm Monday through Friday, so your cheapest off-peak hours will be from 8 pm to 12 pm Monday through Friday, as well as holidays and weekends.
Note that Until utility customers’ time-of-use rates are only available for electric vehicles in Massachusetts. Until’s whole-house time-of-use rates only apply to New Hampshire customers.
How to Save Money With Time-Of-Use Rates?
Time-of-use rates can either be an expensive hindrance or a money-saving tool, depending on how you view it and adjust your energy habits. Here are some ideas to help you leverage TOU rates to save more money on your monthly electricity bill.
Shift High-Energy Activities to Off-Peak Hours
Can you start your dishwasher just before bed rather than immediately after dinner and clean up? Is it possible to start your laundry load first thing in the morning upon waking? Can you take late-night or early-morning showers instead of showering in the late afternoon?
These small habit changes can quickly add up and shave off dollars from your electric bill. The more you can adjust the timing of your most energy-intensive activities, the more savings you’ll realize.
Invest in Efficient Appliances
Efficient appliances can mitigate the energy used during the most expensive peak hours. For example, it’s hard to make dinner outside of peak hour timing. While you may be unable to avoid using your stove or oven during these times, you can swap out your appliances for something new, modern, and efficient.
Energy Star appliances are especially great at managing your electricity use. Look for the Energy Star designation when appliance shopping or browse their directory of approved products.
EcoFlow Portable Power Stations are a great option for backup home power. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations, especially the 3.6W output EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, can reserve enough energy to power most of your home’s energy-intensive appliances during peak hours before running out.
Change Behaviors to Reduce Peak Hour Consumption
Some broader behavioral changes can also help reduce the electricity you consume during the most expensive times of day when shifting your schedule is not an option. You can adjust your thermostat by one or two degrees to make a difference (lower in winter, higher in summer). You can also use natural light during the daytime rather than relying on lamps or overhead lights.
Unplug your electronics when you’re not using them—it’s an easy adjustment anyone can make that reduces phantom energy draw (sneaky uses of electricity you may not realize are happening).
Here are a few more quick behavior changes:
- Taking cooler, quicker showers
- Using cold water for laundry
- Closing curtains/blinds during the hottest hours of the day to reduce excess indoor heat in the summer
- Opening windows in the evening for natural cooling
Choose Alternative Energy Management Solutions
After applying the above changes and habits, you can still further minimize your energy bills by adding an alternative energy source that you can utilize when grid power is at its most costly.
If you want expansive, sustainable, and renewable energy, EcoFlow Solar Generators produce and store their own energy, so you never have to recharge them with grid power. Bundle the EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400W Solar Panel to turn it into a solar generator that uses solar panels to capture energy from the sun’s rays, so you’re never left with the grid as your only option.
How to Decide if Time-Of-Use Rates Are Right for You?
To determine if TOU rates are a good fit for you, you’ll need to consider your lifestyle and how flexible your schedule is. You should be able to use most of your electricity during off-peak times to see the most savings and avoid costly on-peak rates.
That being said, if it doesn’t feel feasible to use most of your energy late at night and in the early mornings, you might not be the right customer for time-of-use rates. Standard fixed or variable rates may serve you better.
Final Thoughts
Time-of-use rate plans can be a valuable money-saving tool for residents willing to flex their schedules to leverage the lowest cost hours for their most energy-intensive tasks. If you’re struggling to align with off-peak hours or simply want to reduce your dependence on the grid as much as possible, investing in an alternative power source like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400W Solar Panel is a fantastic idea.
There’s no cost associated with power use or generation when it comes from your solar generator, and its flexibility allows you to use electricity whenever your schedule allows.