Customers who use time-of-use billing have special meters installed at their homes that measure how much and when electricity is used. Customers are billed on-peak and off-peak rates for the Energy Delivery charge, and on and off-peak rates for the Market Price Charge and Market Price Adjustment. Participants will receive an annual letter that compare total charges for their usage under the Time-of-Use and standard rates.
Customers can choose from three time periods for their weekday,
on-peak usage: 1) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 2) 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., or 3) 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The on-peak and off-peak rates are the same for all three periods. All weekends and six major holidays per year (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas) are considered off-peak.
The chart below compares on- and off-peak charges under the Time-of-Use program, and standard residential electric charges:
| Billing Line Items |
Time-of-Use Charges |
Standard Residential Charges |
| Customer Charge |
$25.00 |
$22.00 |
| Energy Delivery charge, per kwh |
|
4.994 cents |
| On-peak energy delivery charge |
6.040 cents |
n/a |
| Off-peak energy delivery charge |
3.955 cents |
n/a |
| Base MFC Administration Charge |
0.078 cents |
0.180 cents |
| Base MFC Supply Charge |
0.081 cents |
0.190 cents |
| Electric Bill Credit |
-0.093 cents |
-0.127 cents |
| NYS Assessment |
0.346 cents |
0.333 cents |
| Market Price Charges |
|
Market supply charges |
| On-peak market price charge |
118 percent of standard charge |
n/a |
| Off-peak market price charge |
87 percent of standard charge |
n/a |
All other billing charges that apply to both standard and Time-of-Use rates are the same.
Using historical supply prices and load research data to understand how each type of customer uses electricity, Central Hudson calculated price usage ratios. The time-of-use rates are expressed as percentages of the standard residential supply rate, which changes each month, in contrast to delivery rates which are stable and set through regulatory procedures wtih New York state.
It is a significant commitment to limit energy to the off-peak period. In order for customers to realize a savings, they must use more than 80 percent of their electricity during off-peak hours. Even if customers can change their lifestyle to fit one of the off-peak time periods, only a few days of elevated on-peak usage could eliminate any potential savings. Customers may be able to limit their on-peak use during one season, however varying weather conditions and daylight changes may make it difficult during others.
Using base delivery rates effective 07/01/11 and ECAM rates effective 07/13/11:
| Total Monthly usage, kwh |
1000 kwh |
1250 kwh |
1,500 kwh |
1,750 kwh |
2,000 kwh |
Percent to be used during
off-peak hours to breakeven |
87 percent |
86 percent |
85 percent |
84 percent |
84 percent |
For example, a resident enrolled in the Time-of-Use program using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month and shifting 87 percent of their electricity use to off-peak hours will pay the same amount under standard residential electric service and the Time-of-Use program. Using more electricity during off-peak hours will provide savings as compared to the standard rates, while using less than 87 percent will result in higher charges.
Customers must sign on for a minimum of one year.
Call Central Hudson at (845) 452-2700 or (800) 527-2714. Starting the program must coincide with a new billing cycle and the installation of a new time-of-use meter at their residence. Click here for the application .
Large electric-usage customers are required to participate in the Company’s hourly pricing program when purchasing supply from Central Hudson, which is different than time-of-use billing. Medium size commercial and industrial customers can opt for the hourly pricing program.
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