Time of Use 101

The Time of Use 101 module educates customers about when electricity is most expensive based on their time of use rate plan. The module provides customers with information such as:

  • Whether electricity prices differ on weekdays and weekends
  • How much more expensive peak prices are than off-peak prices
  • The hours during which electricity is most expensive
  • A visual timeline that displays off-peak, partial-peak, and peak hours

The type of module a customer receives depends on their time of use rate plan and the type of report they receive:

Time of Use 101 for Welcome Reports: The welcome version of the module educates customers about their specific rate plan at the specific time the report is generated and why saving during peak is especially important. It also provides the customer with an example of how avoiding high energy appliances, like running the dryer, during peak hours can have a positive impact on their bill. The module varies by whether the customer has a simple or complex rate plan, and whether or not they are confirmed to have a clothing dryer.

Time of Use 101 for Progress Reports: The progress version of the module serves the dual purpose of educating customers about their specific rate plan at the specific time the report is generated and providing educational information about why saving during peak is especially important. The module includes a heading, weekday graph, weekend graph, explainer, call-to-action, and seasonal details where applicable.

Appears in: Time of Use Report, Peak Focused Report

Configuration Options

For each element listed in the table, indicate the desired configuration in the Input Value column. If you do not provide an input for optional configurations, the default will be used.

Configuration Option Input Value

Heading

The heading tells the customer that they can save money by using less energy during peak hours.

Default:

  • Welcome: An easy way to save during peak hours
  • Progress: Save money by using less electricity during [peak hours].
  • Demand charge: Save money by staggering your electric appliance use during on-peak hours

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default.

  • Provide alternate configuration.

Image - Welcome Version

The image includes a clock indicating on peak times highlighted to help aid in communicating peak hours.

Optional

Contact Your Delivery Team about image options.

Body Text

The body text identifies the dryer as one of the largest energy using appliances in the home and, therefore, costs a lot to run during peak hours.

Default:

  • Welcome: Did you know your clothes dryer is one of the largest energy users in your home? It can use more power than an average refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher combined! Since electricity costs the most during peak hours, running your clothes dryer at other times of day can help you save.
  • Progress: Peak hours are when energy demand is highest in our region. Using less electricity during peak hours will save you more on your bill, and helps us deliver cleaner energy to the whole community.
  • Demand Charge: During on-peak hours, not only is electricity more expensive, but you’ll also incur a Demand Charge each bill period for your highest hour of on-peak use. To keep your Demand Charge lower, wait until off-peak hours to run large appliances, or at least avoid running multiple appliances at the same time.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default.
  • Provide alternate configuration.

Weekday subheading:

The weekday subheading is dynamic and tells the customer the period during which using energy will cost them the most.

Default: On weekdays, electricity costs the most from [[start time]]-[[end time]].

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default.
  • Provide alternate configuration.

Weekend Subheading

The weekend subheader notes whether or not there are peak hours on weekends.

Default:

  • No peak hours: On weekends, there are no peak hours.

  • Weekend and holiday peak hours: On weekends and holidays, electricity costs X more from [[X-X]].

    Weekend peak hours: On weekends and holidays, electricity costs X more from [[X-X]].

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default.
  • Provide alternate configuration.

Color Settings

Color settings determine the colors assigned to elements within the module.

Default: The default module colors are determined by the utility color pallet provided by the utility during Opower Platform configuration.

Optional

Call to Action

The call to action invites the customer to view their full plan details and provides a link to the utility's rate plan page.

Default:

  • Welcome: To view your rate plan details, go to [URL].
  • Progress: To view your full plan details, go to [URL].

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default.
  • Provide alternate configuration.

Call to Action URL

Default: [utilityco.com/tou-rateplans]

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default.
  • Provide alternate configuration.

User Experience Variations

The user experience of the feature may vary for customers and utilities depending on their service types (gas, electricity, dual fuel, and so on), available data, costs, locale, and other factors. For more information, see the Time of Use 101 module description in the Energy Efficiency Cloud Services Overview Guide and go to the User Experience Variations section.