Skip to main content
 
Pay Now
Outage Center
Newsletter Sign Up
Home
  • Account Services
    • Your Account on SmartHub
    • SmartHub Options
    • Payment Options
    • Energy Assistance Program
    • Start New Service or Discontinue Service
    • Construction Handbook
    • Member Dividends
    • Election / Voting
    • Timing Matters
      • Enhancing Member Choice
      • Making Time-of-Use Work for You
      • Time-Based Rates
      • Frequently Asked Questions (TOU)
      • Rate Comparison Calculator
  • News
    • Member Newsletter
    • Legal Notices
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Mission, Vision and Core Values
    • Service Area
    • Board of Directors
      • Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes
      • Strategic Objectives
    • Staff
    • Annual Meeting and Outreach
    • Board Elections
    • SMPA Bylaws, Policies and Legal
    • Rates
    • Contact Us
    • Career Opportunities
    • SMPA Financial Documents
  • Energy
    • Energy Efficiency and Beneficial Electrification Rebates
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
    • Energy Audits
  • Renewable Energy
    • Totally Green
    • Renewable Rebates
    • IQ Programs
    • Net Metering
  • Community Programs
    • Donation Requests
      • SMPA Community Focus Program
    • Sharing Success Grants
    • Youth Programs
      • Scholarships
      • Youth Tour and Youth Camp
      • Youth Career Opportunities
    • IQ Programs
  • Safety
    • Outage Center
    • Wildfire Mitigation
    • Safety Checklist
    • Safety Quiz
    • The Red Mountain Electrical Reliability and Broadband Improvement Project

Making Time-Of-Use (TOU) Work For You

Previous Next

An analysis of your priorities and energy-use profile will likely reveal opportunities for you to make cost-effective improvements while helping to reduce your peak as well as SMPA’s overall peak.

Low-Cost or No-Cost Changes:

  • Set the delay function on your dishwasher when loading after dinner
  • Do laundry during off-peak hours
  • Set EVs to charge off-peak (Scheduled charging usually included with EV)
  • Take advantage of SMPA’s EV Charging Equipment rebate.
  • Charge outdoor power equipment batteries, e-bike batteries off-peak
  • Explore SMPA’s time-based-rate-friendly rebates
  • Turn off work computer monitors at the end of the work day

In Wintertime:

  • Warm up the house before on-peak hours, then turn down the thermostat at 4 p.m. (smart thermostats can be programmed to do this automatically).
  • Keep your thermostat set to 60F when you’re not home (smart thermostats can help).
  • Opt for warmer clothing and blankets over higher temperatures on the thermostat.
  • Use portable heaters sparingly and turn them off when you leave a room—especially during the peak.
  • Keep curtains drawn to keep out the cold.
  • Open curtains during the day to let in free, natural heat.

wintertime

In Summertime:

  • For cooling, use fans instead of AC whenever possible
  • Set your thermostat higher during peak hours and when you’re away from home.

Return on Investment:

  • Get an Energy Audit (this service is free if you qualify for our I.Q. (CARE) Weatherization Program.
    (See if you qualify: www.ecoactionpartners.org/smpa-iq).
  • Have an electric water heater? Get a water heater timer installed or upgrade to a new water heater that has a timing function built in. SMPA has rebates for timers and new electric water heaters.
  • Consider putting heat-tape, block heaters, and animal waterers on a timer so that they are not on during peak hours.
  • Smart thermostats.
  • Install “Smart” plugs that automatically turn off certain lights and appliances during the peak.
  • Timers on stock tank heaters/dog bowls
  • Keep your heating system well-maintained.
  • Winterize your home to make the heating system more efficient.
    Caulk air leaks on windows
    Reverse direction of ceiling fans (See the article on page #2 of this newsletter.)
    Replace worn air seals around door frames
  • Maintain your AC unit. Air conditioners with dirty filters and coils are less efficient and use more energy to cool the house.
  • Upgrade old appliances to ENERGY STAR® appliances.
  • Take advantage of our energy-efficient appliance rebates.
  • Update the lighting in your home to energy-efficient LED bulbs.
  • Use solar-powered lights outside

small investment1

small investment2

Energy Storage & Efficiency Upgrades:

What you can do:

  • Consider an upgrade to your home’s insulation.
  • Home battery systems.
  • ETS (electric thermal storage) heaters.

What SMPA will do:

  • Distribution level battery energy storage systems (BESS)
  • Micro-grid implementation. (See "A Balm for Fear" newsletter article.)

Resources

  • Account Services
  • News
  • About Us
  • Energy
  • Renewable Energy
  • Community Programs
  • Safety

Quick Links

  • News
  • Career Opportunities
  • Equipment Sales

Contact Info

Nucla
P.O. Box 817  
170 W. 10th Ave.    
Nucla, CO 81424    
(970) 864-7311    
Fax (970) 864-7257     

Ridgway
P.O. Box 1150
720 N. Railroad St.
Ridgway, CO 81432
(970) 626-5549
Fax (970) 626-5688 

Toll Free: 1-877-864-7311 or 1-800-864-7256
After Hours Emergency Hotline: Call your local office and you will be directed to our after-hours dispatch. 

 

©2025 San Miguel Power Association, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by Co-op Web Builder