Legacy Time-of-Use Billing

(For customers enrolled in Time-of-Use Billing prior to Dec. 1, 2017) 

The following information pertains to Central Hudson's Time-of-Use Billing Program for customers enrolled prior to Dec. 1, 2017. This version is not accepting new applications. If you wish to enroll in our current Time-of-Use billing program, click here.   

Time-of-Use Service is an optional billing method for residential customers to purchase their electricity base on when the actual use of electricity occurs. Pricing for Time-of-Use Service is lower for electricity use during periods of low overall electric demand (off-peak hours) and higher during periods of higher electric demand (on-peak hours). By shifting the consumption of electricity to periods of lower demand, you may take advantage of lower-cost energy.

How does Time-of-Use Billing work?
Customers who use Time-of-Use Billing have special meters installed at their homes that measure how much and when electricity is used. Customers are billed on-peak and off-peak rates for the Energy Delivery charge, and on and off-peak rates for the Market Price Charge and Market Price Adjustment. Participants will receive an annual letter that compare total charges for their usage under the Time-of-Use and standard rates.

What are the peak hours?
Customers can choose from three time periods for their weekday, on-peak usage: 1) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 2) 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., or 3) 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The on-peak and off-peak rates are the same for all three periods. All weekends and six major holidays per year (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas) are considered off-peak.

Can I sign up for a short time and then switch back to a standard rate?
Customers must sign on for a minimum of one year.

What is the difference between the two rates?
The chart below compares on- and off-peak charges under the Time-of-Use program, and standard residential electric charges:

All other billing charges that apply to both standard and Time-of-Use rates are the same.

How does Central Hudson calculate the peak and off-peak supply charges?
Using historical supply prices and load research data to understand how each type of customer uses electricity, Central Hudson calculated price usage ratios. The time-of-use rates are expressed as percentages of the standard residential supply rate, which changes each month, in contrast to delivery rates which are stable and set through regulatory procedures wtih New York state.

Will this save money on my bill?

It takes a significant commitment to limit energy to the off-peak period. On average, you need to use about 33% of electricity during off-peak hours in order to realize savings and avoid higher charges. 

How do I sign up?
Central Hudson is not accepting new applications for this version of the Time of Use Program. To sign up for the new program on or after Dec. 1, 2017, click here. 

Does this apply to non-residential customers?
Large electric-usage customers are required to participate in the Company’s hourly pricing program when purchasing supply from Central Hudson, which is different than time-of-use billing. Medium size commercial and industrial customers can opt for the hourly pricing program.