Utilities Promote ‘Time Of Day’ Rates To Conserve Electric Power

HARTFORD (AP) — Few customers of the state’s largest utility, Connecticut Light & Power, are using a special rate intended to help cut power use at peak times.

Only 48 out of the utility’s one million home customers currently use the so-called “time of day’’ or “time of use” rate, spokesman Chris Riley said.

In areas served by United Illuminating, the number is 4,500, or fewer than two percent of the utility’s 280,000 residential customers.

The residential rate mimics what businesses have done for years: Shift some manufacturing and commercial functions to nighttime hours when power demand and electricity rates are lower.

CL&P began promoting the rate last month. It discounts electricity prices during off-peak hours, typically after 8 pm and before 8 am.

The rate has been available to residential customers for several years, but utility regulators last year reworked it to make it more attractive. The state Department of Public Utility Control hopes a discount of between three percent and 15 percent for off-peak use will spur more residential customers to switch.

“We believe it is an excellent way for customers not only to conserve electricity themselves, but to make a difference in the peak hour usage statewide,” said Beryl Lyons, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Utility Control.

Utilities have sponsored a $375,000 “Wait ‘till 8” advertising campaign print ads to get customers to use electricity later in the evening. It did not specifically promote the rate at the time of day.

CL&P this year added a line about the rate in promotional materials, and printed a brochure for customers. The company also cited the rate in its bill inserts and on utility bills.

Taking power demand off the grid during peak daytime hours would ease the load on the state’s transmission and distribution lines, regulators and industry officials said. Some power lines are in danger of overloading on hot summer days when heavy power use pushes up demand, requiring the importing of power from outside the region.

United Illuminating officials say that customers who control their use can save as much as 15 percent, or about $9 a month for a typical $60 residential bill.

CL&P expects its customers to save about three to five percent.

Tasks that can be delayed include washing laundry, running a pool filter pump, and operating basement dehumidifiers and hot water heaters.

The rate generally does not work for families with young children, said Patrick McDonnell, manager of technical and program support at United Illuminating.

Customers must have a new meter installed to participate in a time-of-use rate. Utilities will install the meter free of charge. Ratepayers also must commit to the rate for one year.