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Originally Posted by desertrat  That can't be right. They do not know when you use power. They barely know how much you use on a monthly basis. Peak hours just get passed on to us no matter what. |
In some places like California, they will charge you different rate for peak, low-peak, and off-peak power use, but you need a meter that records use by time of day. I was just reading that off-peak rates could be 50% off (8pm to 10am).
Apparently, many power plants are either on or off. Off-peak, they create much more power than is used and they just "burn it off." Some argue that this is yet another good justification for plug-in hybrid, or all electric cars. Plug it in off-peak, save the power from being wasted, and get a better rate.
I was just checking to see if SMECO offer off-peak rates...does not appear so.
P.S. Check out the Upcoming Chevy Volt all electric car due in 2010 (hopefully)
Chevrolet | New Electric Car - Concept Chevy Volt