Information that changes the scope
- Which equipment is meant to shift its usage, and whether it has built-in scheduling
- The exact peak window that applies to the account
- Whether a smart breaker, timer, or load-management device is being added, and where
- Whether the equipment can be interrupted mid-cycle safely (a heat pump can; some equipment cannot)
- Whether multiple loads need to be sequenced rather than just delayed
Which loads benefit from a time-of-use rate
- An EV charger being timed to charge only during off-peak hours
- A heat pump, water heater, or other large load being scheduled around peak hours
- A homeowner comparing the time-of-use rate against the standard rate before switching
- Equipment that has no built-in scheduling and needs an external timer or smart control added
- A property with several large loads that all need to avoid the same peak window
What a clear estimate should address
The scope should identify which loads are being scheduled, what control method is used for each (built-in app scheduling, an added timer, or a load-management device), where that control is wired in, and how to confirm it is actually shifting usage rather than assumed to be. A rate plan produces no savings on its own if nothing changes when the equipment actually draws power.