Seasonal electric rates fell this month for some SMUD customers. How much do I save?

Brianna Taylor
·2 min read

Sacramento Municipal Utility District residential customers may be looking at lower electricity bills starting this month.

On Oct. 1, the utility company started charging its eligible Sacramento, Yolo and Placer County customers roughly 17 cents less per kilowatt hour for using electricity between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to its website. SMUD’s “time-of-day” rates change twice a year, once in October and again in June.

Regardless of the time of year, it will cost you more money to flip the switch during the three-hour peak period on weekday evenings.

Expect to pay significantly less over the fall, winter and a portion of the spring during peak periods for running appliances such as the oven, laundry machine or television. You can estimate the cost difference using SMUD’s online calculator.

Below you’ll find eligibility information, summer and non-summer rates as well as tips to control your electricity bill as temperatures fall across the Sacramento region:

Am I eligible for the ‘time-of-day rate?’

All residential customers with a smart meter are eligible for SMUD’s “time-of-day rate.”

Customers who live in communities where utilities are billed directly to the property owner from SMUD are ineligible.

Eligible customers can switch to a fixed rate price that doesn’t change throughout the year. The fixed rate on average is roughly 4% higher than the “time-of-day rate,” according to the utility.

What are SMUD’s non-summer ‘time-of-day’ rates?

Between October and May, winter residential rates are divided into two time periods:

Off-peak | $0.1120 kilowatt hour

  • Midnight to 5 p.m.

  • 8 p.m. to midnight

Peak | $0.1547 kilowatt hour, Monday through Friday only

  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What are SMUD’s summer ‘time-of-day’ rates?

Between June and September, summer residential rates are divided into three time periods:

Off-peak | $0.1350 kilowatt hour

  • Midnight to noon

Mid-peak | $0.1864 kilowatt hour

  • Noon to 5 p.m.

  • 8 p.m. to midnight

Peak | $0.3279 kilowatt hour, Monday through Friday only

  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Remember: There’s no peak price on weekends and holidays, according to SMUD.

Tips to control your electricity bills

Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower when you’re home and 55 degrees when you’re away will help keep costs at bay, according to SMUD.

Another tip: Switch off lights and electronic devices in the home during peak hours between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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