Time-of-Use Plans in Texas
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- Texas Time-of-Use (TOU) Electricity Plans
Why Choose a Time-Of-Use (TOU) Plan in Texas?
Access to off-peak hours
Time-of-use electricity plans let you take advantage of lower rates during the times of day when demand is lower, which are usually at night or early in the morning. If you can shift your usage to these times, you may be able to reduce your monthly energy costs.
Charge electric vehicles efficiently
One way to benefit from time-of-use plans is to charge your EV overnight when rates are lower. Charging your car at the most cost-effective time of day could cut your operation cost.
Help support grid reliability
When you shift your usage to off-peak hours, you help even out demand and reduce stress on the grid. When demand spikes are lower, the grid is more stable, and there’s a lower risk of an outage.
Explore Time-Of-Use Electricity Plans in Texas
Free Power Hours Plan
- Free electricity nightly from midnight to 4 a.m.
- Daytime rate stays competitive against other providers
Best for: If you’re a night owl and can use appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and air conditioner in the middle of the night, you enjoy savings.
Discounted Nights & Fair Days Plan
- Lower electricity rates nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Competitive pricing all day so you can save predictably and with confidence
Best for: If you can shift when you use power but want more flexibility with a longer discounted evening window and competitive rates during peak hours.
What Customers Have to Say About Constellation as Their Texas Electricity Company
Why Texans Choose Constellation for Time-Of-Use Electricity
Time-of-use electricity plans are popular among Texans for reasons like pricing, control and the ability to
benefit from smarter energy usage.
Frequently Asked Questions About TOU Electricity in Texas
Time-of-use electricity plans are structured with different rates based on demand that fluctuates throughout the day. Demand for power is high during some parts of the day, so rates are higher at these times. From the evening until early morning, when demand is lower, rates are lower. Time-of-use electricity plans reward you with lower rates when you shift your power usage to lower demand times.
Off-peak hours in Texas are typically overnight and early in the morning. Many businesses are closed during these times, and people are sleeping. That leads to lower energy usage. The specific rate windows in time-of-use electricity plans depend on your contract.
You can benefit from time-of-use plans if you’re able to control when you use the most electricity. That usually means operating appliances that use more power, such as dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers, during off-peak hours.
You may also benefit by supercooling your home overnight, then turning your air conditioner down or off until your home slowly warms through the day. This technique lowers your power draw during high demand periods.
If you own an EV you charge at home, charging it overnight when rates are lower cut your overall costs. The key idea is that if you’re flexible about when you use power, you may save.
If you live in a deregulated part of Texas, it’s likely you can enroll in time-of-use energy plans. You must be in an eligible utility service area, which can vary by ZIP code, and will need a smart meter that tracks your time-based usage.
Time-of-use electricity plans can make sense if you’re able to consistently shift a significant part of your power usage to off-peak hours. If you can keep to a predictable schedule for washing, charging your EV and HVAC system usage, you can benefit from TOU electricity plans. If you find you don’t have that flexibility and control or that you don’t want to deal with the inconvenience, a fixed-rate plan may be a more cost-effective option.
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* The Price is subject to change during the Initial Term of this Agreement only if there are changes in TDU charges, fees imposed by Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”) or the Texas Reliability Entity (“TRE”), or costs imposed by changes in federal, state or local laws that impose new or modified fees or costs on Constellation that are beyond Constellation’s control.
When enrolling, you will be required to provide either a driver’s license or Social Security number, which will be used to check if a deposit is needed and to verify your identity. For faster verification, we recommend providing your Social Security number.
** Requests processed after 5:00 p.m. CST are connected on the next business day. Same-day service, or a priority move-in, is offered Monday through Friday, weather permitting, where an existing meter is in place. There are no connections on holidays or weekends. Enrollment and permit requirements must be met before a request can be processed. Your local utility company may charge a fee for a priority same-day setup, which may vary based on your utility company and location. We recommend contacting your utility company to see if there is a priority move-in or same-day service fee.