SACRAMENTO, Calif — The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) switched from the summer rates to non-summer rates Oct. 1.
As the electric company moves into the non-summer season, customers should see a slight drop in their electricity bills.
When it isn't summer (Oct.1 to May 31), SMUD still charges a different rate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. but now it is around 15 cents cheaper for each kilowatt used in an hour.
In the summer, doing a load of laundry would cost around $1.27 in energy costs between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Now, doing a load of laundry should cost around $0.60 for energy costs between the same time.
SMUD's Time-Of-Day rates change depending on the time of the year. SMUD recognizes two seasons: summer season, which falls between June 1 and Sept. 30; and non-summer season, which falls between October 1 and May 31. During the summer season, the Time-Of-Day rates are more expensive as the 24-hour period of a day is broken into three categories: peak, mid-peak and off-peak.
With the new Time-Of-Day rate, the monthly average bill for SMUD customers has increased by around $3.70 according to SMUD.
Off-Peak
$0.0969 kWh (kilowatts per hour)
(Midnight- 5 p.m. and 8p.m. to Midnight / Monday - Friday)
During these hours, electricity is at its cheapest. While peak hours only happen on weekdays, off-peak hours occur every day, including weekends and holidays.
Peak
$0.1338 kWh (kilowatts per hour)
(5 p.m. - 8 p.m. / Monday - Friday)
During these hours, electricity is the most expensive. Usage rates are more than double that of the off-peak hours. Peak hours occur Monday through Friday.
SMUD rolled out new time-of-day rates to customers in the Sacramento area. Here's how they work and the times you will pay the most to use electricity. Also, some tips on how to cool your house and not pay the highest rate.