Off-Peak Electricity Hours: The Cheapest Time of the Day to Use Electricity

A Time-of-Use (TOU) plan is a type of electricity pricing system that charges different rates depending on when electricity is used. These plans are designed to reflect the varying demand for electricity, with higher rates during peak electricity hours—when energy usage is at its highest—and lower rates during off-peak electricity hours.

The off-peak electricity hours typically occur late at night or early in the morning, and utility companies encourage customers to use appliances and perform energy-intensive tasks during these period to reduce strain on the grid. By understanding TOU pricing and off-peak electricity hours, households can strategically adjust their energy usage to save money.

Time-of-Use (TOU) plans can make installing solar panels or a home battery system an excellent investment. By generating your own electricity with Renogy solar panels, you can reduce reliance on grid power during costly on-peak hours while maximizing savings by using stored energy during off-peak times.

What Are Off-Peak Electricity Hours?

Off-peak electricity hours are periods when energy demand is significantly lower, typically fall late at night or early morning, allowing utility companies to offer discounted rates. Power plants can operate more efficiently and the electricity is cheaper, and the grid experiences less congestion during these periods. This benefits both consumers, who enjoy lower bills, and utilities, which save on operating costs.

Nighttime is universally a low-demand period since businesses are closed, and most households are not running high-energy appliances. This makes nighttime a consistent off-peak period across most regions, regardless of the season.

However, Off-peak electricity hours vary depending not only on the hours but also season and region. In summer, demand for cooling often creates a spike during the afternoon and evening, making off-peak hours fall overnight or in the early morning. Conversely, in winter, heating requirements can drive high energy use in the morning and early evening, pushing off-peak hours later into the night.

In warmer regions like California, off-peak hours might extend to early afternoon due to solar generation matching demand. In colder areas like Massachusetts, off-peak hours often align with times when heating systems are not running.

Typical Off-Peak Hours by Region and Season

Here’s a more refined look at off-peak hours, broken down by both the season and region. Some utilities adjust the hours based on demand fluctuations that happen with seasonal changes.

These times are based on typical schedules, but they can vary by utility provider, and some utilities may adjust these periods in response to the seasons.

Peak vs. Off-Peak Electricity Hours?

Peak electricity hours are the times of day when the demand for electricity is the highest. Summer peak hours are typically between noon and 6:00 p.m., the hottest time of the day and when air conditioners run most frequently. Winter is usually between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. - that is, before work and after work. Household electricity use peaks during these two times.

Here’s a breakdown comparing peak hours (when rates are highest) to off-peak hours (when rates are lowest). This helps illustrate how understanding these periods can save you money by shifting energy use to off-peak times.

On-peak hours for the top 10 states by solar power usage

State	Utility	On-Peak Hours(Summer)	On-Peak Hours(Winter)
California	PG&E	3 PM - 8 PM or 4 PM - 9 PM	3 PM - 8 PM or 4 PM - 9 PM
Texas	ERCOT/Oncor	3 PM - 7 PM	6 AM - 10 AM; 6 PM - 10 PM
Florida	FPL	3 PM - 7 PM	3 PM - 7 PM
Arizona	APS	3 PM - 8 PM	5 PM - 9 PM
New York	Con Edison	2 PM - 8 PM	2 PM - 8 PM
North Carolina	Duke Energy	1 PM - 6 PM	1 PM - 6 PM
Nevada	NV Energy	1 PM - 7 PM	5 PM - 9 PM
Massachu	National Grid/Eversource	4 PM - 8 PM	4 PM - 8 PM
New Jersery	PSE&G	7 AM - 10 AM; 5 PM - 9 PM	7 AM - 10 AM; 5 PM - 9 PM
Colorado	Xcel Energy	2 PM - 6 PM	2 PM - 6 PM

Save Money with Off-Peak Electricity Hours

Managing energy costs doesn’t have to be complicated. By leveraging off-peak electricity hours, you can significantly lower your energy bills without compromising comfort. These quieter periods offer reduced rates, making them an ideal time to perform energy-intensive tasks. Here’s how you can take full advantage of these cost-saving opportunities.

Time Your Appliances: Use high-energy appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, or electric vehicle chargers, during off-peak hours. Many modern devices even have timers for easier scheduling.

Heat or Cool Strategically: Adjust your thermostat to preheat or cool your home during off-peak periods and use fans or insulation to maintain temperatures during peak hours.

Even if we change our habits, we still can't avoid the moment when we need to use electrical appliances during peak hours. There is another option: use solar panels or solar generators to power your home and reduce your electricity bill.

Renogy solar panels and solar generators can charge all appliances in your home during peak or off-peak electricity hours.Whether it's rainy or cloudy days or power outages, Renogy solar panels are always efficient and deliver a steady output of power to your home.

Renogy Solar Panels: Get the Cheapest Electricity

Using solar energy alongside off-peak hours can maximize savings and minimize dependence on grid electricity during expensive peak periods.

Renogy 200W ShadowFlux Anti-shading N-Type Solar Panel

Off-peak hours often coincide with lower sunlight periods in the early morning or evening. Thanks to anti-shading technology,  Renogy 200W ShadowFlux Anti-shading N-Type Solar Panel maintains optimal performance even with partial shading from trees, snow, or debris. It ensures steady energy collection throughout the day, minimizing reliance on grid power during costly peak periods.

Core Mini - 12.8V 300Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

Pair this powerful yet lightweight battery with solar panels to store energy generated during sunny off-peak hours. Its advanced low-temperature BMS ensures reliable operation in winter, so you can use stored power during peak times without worry. Plus, one Core Mini battery delivers triple the power of traditional options, making it ideal for high-energy appliances.

By combining Renogy solar panels with the  Core Mini 12.8 volt 300Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery, you can maximize off-peak savings while staying powered during peak hours, all with minimal effort and maximum efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Making the most of off-peak electricity hours can significantly reduce your household energy expenses. By understanding and planning around these cheaper times, you can shift energy-intensive activities like laundry or dishwashing to save money.

For peak periods, relying on solar energy produced by solar panels offers an effective way to avoid high electricity rates. Together, these strategies can optimize your electricity usage, lower costs, and provide greater energy independence for your home.

FAQs About Off-Peak Electricity Hours

1. What is the cheapest time of day to use electricity?

The cheapest time to use electricity is during off-peak hours, when demand for power is lower, and utilities reduce rates to encourage usage. Off-peak hours typically fall late at night or early in the morning, such as 9 PM to 7 AM, but they can vary by region and season. These hours often coincide with periods of reduced activity in homes and businesses, making it an ideal time to run appliances like washing machines or charge electric vehicles at a lower cost. Check your utility provider’s Time-of-Use (TOU) plan for specific off-peak times.

2. What time of day is electricity the most expensive?

Electricity is most expensive during peak hours, when demand for energy is highest, typically in the late afternoon and early evening, such as 4 PM to 9 PM. Peak times often align with increased household activities like cooking and heating or cooling systems running. In summer, peak hours may shift to mid-afternoon due to heavy air conditioning use, while in winter, evening hours see the highest rates.

3. Why Off-Peak Hours Differ Between Seasons？

During hot months, especially in regions with high air conditioning use, energy demand peaks in the afternoon and early evening. To prevent grid overload, utilities may extend off-peak hours to early mornings when cooling systems are not running, and fewer people are using electricity.

In colder climates, heating systems drive higher electricity demand, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Off-peak hours are typically pushed later in the evening and through the night to balance out the grid.