Time of Use Rate Update
Coming soon, we plan to offer the Time of Use (TOU) Rate for small and medium business customers. Right now, we are creating a system to help you better understand and manage your energy use. This will include tools to show how much energy you use and help you choose the best rate for your needs.
We are using a three-tiered peak system: peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. The price you pay for electricity will depend on when you use it.
- Peak hours are when electricity is most expensive. This will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except on City-observed holidays.
- Mid-peak hours will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays and city-observed holidays, mid-peak pricing applies all day from 6 a.m. to midnight (with no peak hours).
- Off-peak hours are when electricity cost is lowest. This will be from midnight to 6 a.m. every day.
Time of Use Rate Pricing (coming soon)
| Rate Type | City of Seattle (C) |
Downtown Network (D) |
Burien (B) SeaTac (E) Shoreline (H) Unincorporated King County (K) |
Lake Forest Park (L) |
Normandy Park (N) |
Tukwila (T) |
Renton (S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base service charge per day | $0.64 | $0.64 | $0.64 | $0.64 | $0.63 | $0.63 | $0.59 |
| Peak energy charge per kWh | $0.1525 | $0.1525 | $0.1545 | $0.1546 | $0.1522 | $0.1534 | $0.1431 |
| Mid-Peak energy charge per kWh | $0.1334 | $0.1334 | $0.1352 | $0.1353 | $0.1332 | $0.1343 | $0.1252 |
| Off-Peak energy charge per kWh | $0.0762 | $0.0762 | $0.0773 | $0.0774 | $0.0762 | $0.0768 | $0.0716 |
We are using a three-tiered peak system: peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. The price you pay for electricity will depend on when you use it.
- Peak Energy Use hours are when electricity is most expensive. This will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except on City-observed holidays.
- Mid-peak Energy Use hours will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays and city-observed holidays, mid-peak pricing applies all day from 6 a.m. to midnight (with no peak hours).
- Off-peak Energy Use hours are when electricity cost is lowest. This will be from midnight to 6 a.m. every day.
Time of Use Rate Pricing (coming soon)
| Rate Type | City of Seattle (C) |
Downtown Network (D) |
Burien (B) SeaTac (E) Shoreline (H) Unincorporated King County (K) |
Lake Forest Park (L) |
Normandy Park (N) |
Tukwila (T) |
Renton (S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base service charge per day | $2.38 | $2.38 | $2.57 | $2.57 | $2.53 | $2.56 | $2.38 |
| Peak energy charge per kWh | $0.1196 | $0.1331 | $0.1292 | $0.1292 | $0.1272 | $0.1285 | $0.1196 |
| Mid-Peak energy charge per kWh | $0.1046 | $0.1165 | $0.1130 | $0.1130 | $0.1113 | $0.1123 | $0.1046 |
| Off-Peak energy charge per kWh | $0.0598 | $0.0666 | $0.0646 | $0.0646 | $0.0636 | $0.0642 | $0.0598 |
| Peak demand charge per kW | $5.30 | $12.07 | $5.72 | $5.73 | $5.64 | $5.69 | $5.30 |
| Off-Peak demand charge per kW | $0.31 | $0.31 | $0.33 | $0.33 | $0.33 | $0.33 | $0.31 |
For our Time of Use rate, we are using a three-tiered peak system: peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. The price you pay for electricity will depend on when you use it.
- Peak Energy Use hours are when electricity is most expensive. This will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except on City-observed holidays.
- Mid-peak Energy Use hours will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays and city-observed holidays, mid-peak pricing applies all day from 6 a.m. to midnight (with no peak hours).
- Off-peak Energy Use hours are when electricity cost is lowest. This will be from midnight to 6 a.m. every day.
The demand charges are based on:
- Peak Demand Charge is based on a customer’s maximum demand during peak periods. "Peak" is defined as the period Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to midnight, excluding New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
- Off-Peak Demand Charge is only charged for the maximum demand in off-peak periods that is in excess of peak demand.
Time of Use (TOU) Frequently Asked Questions
Coming soon, we plan to offer the Time of Use rate for small and medium business customers. Right now, we are creating a system to help you better understand and manage your energy use. This will include tools to show how much energy you use and help you choose the best rate for your business needs.
To ensure everything works smoothly, we are also focusing on:
- Easy ways for you to sign up
- Clear information about how the rate works
- Training our staff to support you
We want to make sure this program is ready and easy for you to use when it launches.
When enrollment opens, you can easily switch to the Time of Use rate through the Utility Services Website. We’re also creating tools like a rate calculator and educational resources to help you decide if the rate is right for your business.
To get ready, make sure you have a profile on the Utility Services Website. Don't have an account, you can sign up today!
We’ll provide clear instructions when it’s time to enroll. Stay tuned!
We’ll notify customers when the rate is available.
In the meantime, return to this page for updates.
- You must have an advanced meter (also called an Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI meter). An advanced meter is a digital meter that records your energy use every 5 or 15 minutes and sends the data wirelessly to Seattle City Light. This data allows City Light to bill you based on when you use electricity, not just how much you use, allowing you to take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours.
- To check if you have an advanced meter:
- On your meter, look for a seven-digit number that starts with a "2" on the meter’s badge.
- On your bill, find the meter number under the "Detailed Billing Information" section. A seven-digit number starting with a "2" indicates it is an advanced meter.
- To check if you have an advanced meter:
- Your City Light account must be in good standing with no past due balance.
- You must have a Utility Services Website profile. Don't have an account? You can sign up today!
When enrollment opens, you’ll be able to choose the Time of Use rate through the Utility Services Website.
The Time of Use rate will be an opt-in option for eligible residential and small and medium business customers. While this rate is designed as an option for customers on our flat rate, we are exploring ways to make it available to net metering customers in the future.