Are you already dreading summer energy costs? You could beat the utility companies at their own game without breaking a sweat. Sandbox+ Solar is here to provide the best tips so you can live more comfortably and on your own terms. Whether it’s adjusting your habits or opting to install solar energy systems and battery storage solutions in Northern Colorado, they are both viable options for your energy efficiency needs!

Everyone knows that electricity bills tend to be higher during certain times of the year. We all experience dread when opening envelopes from utility companies, especially during hot summer months. Did you know? The cost of electricity can rise and fall throughout the day, too.

These daily fluctuations in pay rate are commonly referred to as a Time of Day (TOD) or Time of Use (TOU) rate schedules. This pricing structure will have ‘On-Peak’ and ‘Off-Peak’ time periods defined that will determine what you are charged depending upon when you use electricity in your home. Utilities will charge a higher ‘On-Peak’ rate when demand on the grid is expected to be the highest, which is usually late afternoon into early evening. The lower ‘Off-Peak’ rate is what you can expect to be charged outside of this ‘On-Peak’ window.

If you live in Fort Collins, you are likely paying as much as 260% more to the city for electricity during peak hours. If you are an Xcel Energy customer, you are seeing a delta of 170% at the time of peak hours.

There are a couple key appliances that are heavy hitters during peak hours in the afternoon. These include heating and cooling systems, electric water heaters, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and EV chargers. But if you’re looking for a solution to eliminate higher peak hour rates, you can try adjusting your habits to try to keep your bill as low as possible.

A lot of people are already trying to avoid using electricity during peak hours. For example, we try to run the dishwasher at night when we go to bed. We also close the blinds during the day. Precool the house in the early afternoon so we can use the air conditioning less.

Additionally, many households wait until the weekend to wash large loads of laundry when energy demand and rates are typically at their lowest. Others make a conscious effort to unplug electronics, like chargers and small appliances, before leaving for work in the morning.

To lower your utility bill and still use your appliances you have to think carefully about when you use them. One big change you can make is using them at times. How do you figure that out? Utility companies usually charge lower or off-peak rates during the weekend and on holidays. So, one strategy you could use is trying to get more of your chores done during the weekend instead of trying to juggle them all during weekday afternoons.

Don’t you wish there was a way to live comfortably while getting everything done around the house on your own timeline? Well, we have another solution for you!

Here is where a solar panel and battery energy storage installations by Sandbox+ Solar can help. Ensure resilience and comfort in your home by creating your own electricity during the day while saving some of this energy for use later when you really need it. By choosing to install a PV system with a battery energy storage system, you can keep your utility bills lower than ever before.

Since you are generating your own electricity every day, you will have plenty of flexibility to run your appliances when they make sense for you. Without having to worry about TOD rates! Your solar panels will collect energy, especially around noon when the sun is at its peak, and your battery storage system will ensure the energy is readily available when you need it most.

Don’t wait to get started. Start your journey today to save money on your utility usage sooner. We will design a custom solar energy system for your home in Northern Colorado specific to your property to ensure you can reach your self-sufficiency goals. Plus, we offer in-house discounts and we stay up to date on other local incentives to ensure you get the most affordable investment.