As spring begins to settle in across our communities, it’s also a great time to take a fresh look at how and when we use electricity. At Roanoke Cooperative, we’re always exploring ways to help member-owners get the most value from the power they use every day. One option that can make a meaningful difference is Time-of-Day (TOD) metering—a rate designed to reward members who shift some of their electricity use to times when demand on the system is lower.
Electricity isn’t used evenly throughout the day. There are certain hours when demand is higher—when homes, businesses, and farms are all using power at the same time. Under Time-of-Day metering, electricity used during off-peak hours costs less than electricity used during on-peak hours. By simply moving some energy use to lower-cost times of the day, member-owners can often lower their overall electric bills.
For many households, those adjustments can be simple. Running the dishwasher in the evening, doing laundry during off-peak hours, or scheduling certain appliances to operate overnight are small changes that can add up over time. It’s a flexible approach that allows members to take a more active role in managing their energy use.
There’s also a timely reason to start thinking about Time-of-Day metering right now. Beginning in April 16th, Roanoke Cooperative’s on-peak hours shift for the warmer months to 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. As spring transitions into summer and air conditioners start working harder, electricity demand across the region changes. The updated schedule reflects those seasonal patterns and helps ensure the system operates efficiently for everyone we serve.
Another advantage many members appreciate is how well Time-of-Day metering pairs with Levelized Billing. Levelized Billing helps smooth out seasonal highs and lows by averaging your electric bill over the year, creating a more predictable monthly payment. When you combine that stability with the ability to lower costs by shifting usage to off-peak hours, the result can be a powerful one-two punch for managing your household energy budget.
Think of it as pairing predictability with opportunity. Levelized Billing helps keep monthly bills steady, while Time-of-Day metering gives you the chance to actively influence how much energy costs based on when you use it.
Spring is often a season for fresh starts and new habits. With the upcoming shift in on-peak hours, now is the perfect time to explore whether Time-of-Day metering might be a good fit for your home or business.
At Roanoke Cooperative, we’re proud to offer tools and options that put our member-owners in control. Whether it’s Levelized Billing, Time-of-Day metering, or other programs designed to help you manage energy more effectively, our goal remains the same: serving our communities with solutions that work for the people who own the cooperative.
If you’re interested in learning more about Time-of-Day metering or signing up for the program, our member services team is always happy to help. After all, everything we do is guided by one simple principle—Members First, Members Last, Members Always.