Time-of-Use Rate Savings Calculator (2026)
Estimate 2026 savings from shifting EV charging, laundry and dishes to off-peak time-of-use hours, and see the payback on smart plugs or a smart EV charger.
Estimate scope & data quality
This tool provides an input-driven estimate. Use the required inputs shown above and review the result limitations below.
- Data quality
- NOT_AVAILABLE
- Result limitation
- Calculator output is not a source-complete customer result.
A tariff credit is distinct from annual savings. If a result is NOT_COMPUTABLE or CONFLICT, it must not be replaced with an estimate or treated as canonical.
How to use this calculator
- Enter how many kWh per day you can move from peak to off-peak hours (EV charging, laundry, dishwasher, pool pump, water heater).
- Enter your peak electricity rate from your utility's time-of-use tariff (peak is often late afternoon to evening, for example 4pm–9pm).
- Enter your off-peak rate (usually overnight and weekends).
- Enter any upfront cost to automate shifting (timers, smart plugs, a smart EV charger) and any utility or state rebate you will receive.
- Read your annual savings and simple payback. No federal tax credit is included because none applies to these purchases in 2026.
Understanding your results
Short answer: Annual time-of-use (TOU) savings = shiftable kWh per day × (peak rate − off-peak rate) × 365. With the defaults (8 kWh/day, 32¢ peak, 10¢ off-peak) that is 8 × $0.22 × 365 ≈ $640 a year. Shifting 3 kWh/day at a 15¢ spread saves about $165 a year.
How TOU rates work: Time-of-use plans charge more per kWh during peak hours (often weekday late afternoons and evenings) and less off-peak (nights, weekends, sometimes midday). The size of the spread varies widely by utility and season, so use the numbers printed on your own tariff or bill rather than a national figure. The EIA publishes average rates, but TOU spreads are set utility by utility.
Which loads to shift: EV charging is usually the biggest flexible load. As an illustration, an EV driven 12,000 miles a year at about 0.3 kWh/mile uses about 3,600 kWh a year (roughly 10 kWh/day); moving all of it off-peak at a 15¢ spread saves about $540 a year. Laundry, dishwashers, pool pumps and electric water heaters on timers add smaller amounts.
Solar and batteries on TOU: Solar produces most around midday, before many evening peak windows begin. A home battery can store midday solar and discharge it during the peak window. Under California’s Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0), new solar customers are placed on TOU-style rates and export credits are low, so self-consumption and battery shifting matter more. Use the battery storage calculator to model that case.
2026 incentive status: Until Dec 31, 2025, homeowners could claim 30% of battery storage costs under §25D; that credit was ended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025), so batteries installed in 2026 get no federal credit. The §30C credit for home EV chargers ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026. Utility and state programs (for example demand-response or battery programs) may still help; check DSIRE and your utility. This is not tax advice; confirm with a tax professional.
How to enroll: Most large US utilities offer at least one optional TOU or EV rate. Compare your last 12 months of usage under both plans (many utilities provide a rate-comparison tool) before switching, because households that cannot shift evening usage can pay more on TOU.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers for US homeowners.
Related guides
In-depth articles on sizing, costs, and energy decisions.