Understanding Peak Electricity Hours for Your Commercial HVAC

New rate options and rate comparison tools will save you money!

Temperature can fluctuate wildly in the San Gabriel Valley. In an effort to maintain a reliable energy grid across California no matter what the weather, a statewide initiative has been implemented that will affect how you are charged for the electricity you use. Given that your commercial heating and air conditioning can play a large part in these utility costs, it’s important to know as much as you can about how energy demand pricing will affect your business, and what you can do about it. Luckily, understanding Southern California Edison’s time of use guidelines will help you not only save money now with your commercial HVAC but also let you plan the energy usage for your business far more effectively going forward.

Time of Use pricing is now here.

Southern California Edison defines TOU (also known as Time-of-Use) pricing as “a variable rate structure that charges for energy depending on the time of day and the season the energy is used. With TOU rates, your bill will be determined by both when you use electricity and how much you use.” This means that in the summer (June through September), you have three basic time periods in any given day: On-Peak, Mid-Peak, and Off-Peak. Each of these time periods is billed differently. As you might imagine, you’re going to be paying your highest rates during mid-peak, with off-peak usage resulting in the least expensive utility costs.

These time-of-use rates are not limited to summertime. They are just organized slightly differently the rest of the year. October- May, you’ll only see Mid-Peak and Off-Peak rates.

Know your numbers.

From October through May, off-peak rates are from 8AM to 4PM every day.

From June through September, the most expensive energy rates are from 4PM to 9PM.

Weekends are variable; check the SCE calendar and your plan.

What can I do to reduce my energy spend during these peak hours?

First, now is the time for those energy efficiency fixes to your commercial HVAC system that you may have been putting off.  If you haven’t changed your air filters in a while, get ‘er done! Your professional HVAC technician will have other suggestions for inexpensive, easy ways to save energy with simple repairs and easy upgrades you may not have yet considered.

Turn off all your office equipment, lights and any computers you can when you leave for the weekend or rest periods. Monitors and printers should also be off. Don’t pay for what you’re not using! This also includes cash registers.

Upgrade to a smart thermostat. Don’t rely on employees to remember to turn on and off the air conditioning when they leave. A smart thermostat will maintain more consistent temperatures, avoid energy waste and strain on your HVAC equipment.

Take a look at the resources Southern California Edison offers online. Their free rate plan tool and business energy advisor survey will help you take control of your utility bills and get the most out of these rates.

Indoor comfort at a reasonable price is always the goal for commercial HVAC. Talk to your Air-Tro professional today about how we can make that happen!

Did you know Air-Tro can help you make energy-efficient upgrades to your commercial HVAC? Save money with lower utility prices now and into the future. Call Air-Tro today. We’ve been keeping California comfortable since 1969! (626) 357-3535.