Time-of-Use Program
Every Little Bit Counts
Learn how Time-of-Use can save you money with some good examples. Read more >
A Different Way to Save
Looking for a way to save money on your electric bill? Our optional Time-of-Use rate plan may be right for you.
With guidance from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, we are offering a pilot program that may help you save money if you are able to use more power during the day - when solar energy production is the highest - and less at night.
Under this program, you pay a lower rate during times when demand for electricity is lower, and a higher rate during times of the day when demand for electricity is higher. The rates are incentives to shift electric use away from peak demand hours.
How the Time-of-Use Program Works
How much can you save? It depends on how much you can shift your energy use to daylight hours. The features of this program may match your energy needs.
The Time-of-Use rate enables you to save money if you shift your energy use away from those high-demand on-peak hours that are at a higher kWh rate. The more electric use you shift away from those hours, the more money you could save. You pay the off-peak rate during the remaining hours in the day.
The more you shift your electric use from on-peak to the mid-day hours, the more money you can save. Do simple things like adjusting your thermostat when you leave for work or laundry during mid-day hours.
Here's how the rates** work:
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 14.8 cents/kWh
- 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.: 43.1 cents/kWh
- 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.: 34.1 cents/kWh
View historical Time-of-Use rates >
These rates are only for residential customers. Participation will be voluntary and limited to 5,000 customers. The current residential rate is at 29.4 cents/kWh.
**Rates shown are based on January 2019 electric rates with applicable surcharges.
| Time-of-Use Enrollment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Electric | Hawaii Electric Light | Maui Electric | Total | |
| As of 1/13/2019 | 1,619 | 527 | 231 | 2,377 |
If you sign up, your bill will contain information that compares your costs under this program and the normal residential rate for electricity. You may opt out of the program at any time if you feel it isn’t the right fit for you.
How to Sign-up
To enroll, please fill out the Time-of-Use Enrollment Form, and send the required information to:
Hawaiian Electric Company
CP12-SE
P.O. Box 2750
Honolulu, HI 96840-0001
Or, call us at (808) 548-7311 to talk to a Customer Service representative. If you have any questions, please call or email us at TOU@hawaiianelectric.com.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Time-of-Use rate?
It's an opt-in rate that charges you less for power you use during the middle of the day, to encourage customers to use the excess PV power being produced by residential PV systems.
Who is eligible for this rate?
All residential customers will be eligible for this rate.
How much can I save?
How much you save depends on how much you change your energy consumption. You will be charged less for using more power in the middle of the day, and it’s more expensive to use power during “peak” hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What if my bill goes up after I enroll?
Once you enroll, we'll change your meter to a TOU meter. Once you are on the interim TOU rate, you'll receive a "Shadow Bill" for the next 6 months, which will show you how much your bill is using the Interim TOU rates and the pre-existing rates so you can compare.
This way, you can experiment with trying to change your energy consumption. You can decide to opt-out at any time, even if you initially fully opt in. If you do decide to opt-out, then you will not be eligible to re-enroll for the program.
