During the warm summer months, your home’s energy demands can be high. Whether it’s the kids being in and out of the fridge for snacks while off school or cooling your home to stay comfortable during hot weather, electricity usage rises this time of year. But did you know that when you use your energy matters, too?
DTE Energy Time of Day rates charge you less when costs to generate electricity are lower, so you can choose how much you pay for your energy by controlling when you use it. Most customers are on the Time of Day 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. rate, which means you benefit from lower prices before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. on weekdays and all day on the weekend.
Making lower, off-peak rates work for you can be simple. When you choose to adjust your electric usage, doing chores around the house and staying comfortable all summer long can cost you less.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Keep your cooling on schedule: Did you know that cooling your home can be half your summer energy costs? If you have a programable or smart thermostat, you can set a schedule to help you stay comfortable while managing your bill. Have it pre-cool your home to a few degrees below normal before 3 p.m. on weekdays so it’s running less during peak hours.
- Run your dishwasher at night: Why spend more to do chores? Run your dishwasher late in the day to save on energy costs. As an added bonus, running it after dark can help keep your home from getting warmer during the hottest part of the day so your AC runs less.
- Make Saturday laundry day: Want to do laundry for less? When you run your washer on the weekend, you benefit from lower, off-peak rates all day long. When you use cold water, you can keep your laundry room cooler while saving on energy costs.
- Check your rate: DTE offers three different Time of Day rates so you can find the one that fits your household best. With the personalized rate finder quiz, you can see what options could be the best choice for your home. Just visit dteenergy.com/findmyrate and learn more.
With Time of Day rates, you can choose how you manage your usage and stay in control of your bill so you can focus on savoring your summer.
