Xcel Energy Has Started Using On and Off Peak Time Pricing

Xcel Energy supplies power to 1.4 Million customers in the Denver Metro area, and they have switched to new a new pricing tier for the Summer Months. It is all based on when you use power, with it being more expensive during the day, and much cheaper over night.  For anyone who had a cell phone in the years 2000-2008 or so, it’s like your phone plan used to work:  For some things you just had to wait until after 7.  Here’s how the new pricing will work for Summer Months, which began June 1:

Peak time is 3P to 7P.   Cost – 27 Cents/kWh

Mid Peak time is  1P to 3P Cost – 19 Cents/kWh

Off Peak time is 7P to 1P  Cost – 10 Cents/kWh (includes Weekends, Holidays and Overnights)

Basically, Xcel is pushing people to wait until later hours to run large appliances.  It will cost twice as much to run your dishwasher after lunch than at midnight, and almost 3 times as much to run it right after dinner. But if you’re not interested in this plan, you don’t have to take it, and if you run your Air conditioner from 3-7 PM consistently and go to bed early, you may want to look at opting out.  If you opt out, you can get your Energy for 14 Cents/kWh regardless of when you use the energy.  You can opt out by calling 1-800-895-4999. and you will need to give them 30-days to switch you over..

Not everyone is currently on the new system.  If your meter hasn’t been updated with SmartMeter technology, you will also be charged at 14 Cents/kWh.

Xcel made a nice little video to explain everything:

Read more at Xcel.com 

An average Electric Car takes about 30 kWh to travel 100 miles. That comes out to about $8.10 to go 100 Miles if you charged it during peak hours. $3 for that charge over night. Here’s some more common items, and how much kWh they use in a month:

Small Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU) – 300 kWh/Month

Large Air Conditioner (36,000 BTU) – 900 kWh/Month

Plug in Clock – 2.2 kWh/Month

Coffee Maker – 4.7 kWh/Month

Computer with Monitor and Printer – 27 kWh/Month

Dishwasher (wash and Dry) – 35 kWh/Month

Microwave – 16 kWh/Month

Oven – 21.3 kWh/Month

Refrigerator – 150 kWh/Month

Television – 36.6 kWh/Month

Toaster – 4.2 kWh/Month

Washer – 8.7 kWh/Month