The California Public Utilities Commission asked us to test new TOU rate plans. The study is being conducted in preparation for the anticipated 2019 transition to residential TOU rate plans that vary based on the season, time of day, and day of week.
A select group of residential energy users are invited to participate in the TOU Pilot Study. This study will help us to design future rate plans and provide people like you with the opportunity to try new and different rates.
The information and knowledge gained from the study will help with efforts to design Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plans that are easier to understand, more reflective of actual costs, and encourage energy management to help people potentially lower their bills. You have been selected to participate based on geographic and demographic criteria required for this study.
Only those who were invited may participate in this study.
There are three primary reasons you may want to consider participating in this research study:
- Your participation can help shape how residential energy users are charged for electricity in the future.
- You can try a new rate plan with more flexibility and control allowing you to potentially lower your annual electricity costs by shifting some of your electricity usage to the lower-priced time periods.
- As a volunteer in the study, you will be compensated in the form of bill credits for your participation.
Unlike your current rate plan, which provides a tiered pricing structure where the price increases based on your total usage over the billing period, TOU rate plans offer different pricing based on the season, time of day, and day of the week you use electricity. With a TOU rate plan you will have the option to take more control over what you pay for electricity, based on when and how much you use. If you can shift some of your electricity usage to take advantage of the lower off-peak rates, you have the ability to lower your overall electricity costs.
Details will be included in the Welcome Kit that will be mailed to you in May 2016. The Kit will provide details of your new rate plan along with information to help you maximize your monthly energy savings.
Your study rate will begin during the month of June 2016 and you will be placed on a TOU rate. Some participants will be placed on a rate plan similar to their current rate plan.
No, there is no penalty. However, if you do not remain on the TOU rate plan for the duration of the study, you will not be eligible to receive the remaining study reward payments.
Rewards are paid in the form of bill credits, over three installments. More details will be provided in your Welcome Kit.
Participation in the study is limited, and enrollment requests will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis until the target enrollment cap is reached. If your request is received after the enrollment cap has been met, there is a possibility you will not be included in this study.
The study will commence in June 2016. Your last incentive payment will be paid in the August 2017 timeframe. You will have the opportunity to remain on the pilot rate through 2017.
We will send you two surveys to complete and return throughout the study, along with tips on how to reduce your overall electricity costs while participating on a TOU rate. In addition, you will receive three study reward payments in the form of bill credits throughout the duration of the study.
TOU rate plans provide more flexibility and control. If you can shift some of your electricity use to take advantage of the lower-priced (off-peak) time periods, you have the ability to lower your overall electricity costs. The lowest-priced time periods typically occur on weekends (all day and night Saturday and Sunday), early morning and late evening weekday hours. Winter rates (8 months of the year, Oct - May) are typically lower than summer rates (4 months of the year, Jun - Sep). More specific information and the associated pricing and time periods for the rate plan will be shared in the Welcome Kit that will be mailed to you in advance of the start of the study.
Yes. You will continue to receive any applicable bill discount for which you have already been enrolled and qualified.
You will receive a survey at the end of the research study around the July 2016 time-frame. Upon completion and return of the survey, you will receive your final reward payment. You will have the ability to remain on the TOU rate plan even after you receive your last payment.
Participation in this study is voluntary. Participants can remove themselves from this research study at any time, but must remain on the study TOU rate plan through September 2017 in order to receive the full incentive payment in the form of bill credits. In order to quality for this research study, the person whose name appears on the letter must occupy the home and complete the enrollment process (mail back the enrollment form, complete online enrollment, or call to enroll). Details about the TOU study plan rate you’ll be assigned to will be mailed to you in the May 2016 time-frame. By volunteering for this study, you agree to allow us to change your current rate plan to one of the TOU rate plans included in this study.
