What time is it? Using electricity in the evening could soon become more expensive

COLORADO SPRINGS – Part of the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) 2025 plan is to determine how much people pay for electricity and when. The project is called Energy Wise. Customers would be charged different electricity rates depending on the time of day.

A daily tariff is based on the time of day when you use the most electricity. It is similar to the premium prices used for air travel, cell phones and hotel stays.

Kineo Fit Group Training Studio and Kalea Yoga Studio in Colorado Springs use a lot of electricity.

“We have treadmills that require electricity. We have lights in there. We have music playing. So of course all of these things require electricity,” said owner Keith Jackson.

Jackson said he would love it if his electric bill was lower.

“As a small business, every dollar spent on expenses is a profit,” Jackson said.

The CSU proposes the Energy Wise project. With a daily rate, CSU customers would pay lower rates during times of low demand. These are called off-peak. During times of high demand, known as peak periods, people would pay higher prices. The project proposed by the CSU stipulates that peak hours in summer and winter will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. All other times are considered off-peak times.

“In the period from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., energy will be more expensive for our customers from October next year if the tariff case goes through,” said Tristan Gearhart, CFO of the CSU.

The CSU made a presentation to the Colorado Springs City Council on Tuesday.

“Something as simple as moving a few loads of laundry per month outside of the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. time frame could end up saving you on your electric bill,” Gearhart said.

He said people could save money by using electricity during off-peak hours.

“Look at things like using the dishwasher less during this time, using the tumble dryer less during this time if you have an electric vehicle on the go, the time you charge the vehicle outside of these times because We pay the most during this period to procure the energy that flows over the lines,” Gearhart said.

However, Keith said business is busiest during rush hour.

“I mean, our customers will come at certain times and I can’t depend on when the utilities are cheaper. So as far as a business goes, it doesn’t really change what we would do and how much usage we would use,” Jackson said.

Jackson said his electric bill is between $450 and $800 a month.

“When we run a lot of air conditioning in the summer. This definitely increases our electricity bill, and then in the winter, when we have a lot of heating, we mainly host heated yoga classes here. So that definitely changes our usage and our bills,” Jackson said.

He said CSU’s Energy Wise project would cost him even more.

“Something we have to pay for, right? We have no way to turn off the lights or heat a class. We have to use utilities. So we’re already looking at what the interest rates are going to be,” Jackson said.

If approved, this will become the standard tariff for private and business customers from October next year, according to the CSU. If people feel that this daily rate is not best for them, they must opt ​​out.

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