Blue Ridge Electric’s New Peak Hour Pricing — What South Carolina Homeowners Need to Know to Keep Energy Costs Down

here in South Carolina, you may have noticed your electric bill creeping up this past year — and it’s not just the cooler mornings or longer showers. About a year ago, Blue Ridge rolled out time-of-use rates, which means your electricity costs more during certain hours of the day when demand on the power grid is highest.

Last summer, those “on-peak” hours ran from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., when air conditioners were working at full capacity. But now that winter’s settling in, Blue Ridge has shifted the expensive hours to 6:00 a.m. through 9:00 a.m. — exactly when most folks are getting ready for work, turning up the thermostat, showering, and cooking breakfast.

Here’s how the seasonal schedule works:

Winter: 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Summer: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The switch happens when daylight saving time begins and ends.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it can hit your wallet hard. Electricity during those hours costs significantly more — and if you’re using electric heat, water heaters, or kitchen appliances early in the morning, you’ll see it in your monthly bill.

Why Blue Ridge Electric Uses Time-of-Use Rates
During “on-peak” times, the power grid is at its busiest. Everyone’s using electricity at once, and that means it costs more for the utility to generate and deliver it. Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative passes those higher costs directly to customers during those windows.

It’s not a new concept — many utilities across the country do this — but it’s still catching plenty of South Carolina homeowners by surprise. The key to saving money isn’t necessarily using less power; it’s about using it at the right time of day.

Smart Ways to Save on Your Power Bill
You don’t have to freeze or fumble around in the dark to keep your bill steady. Just time your energy use smartly:

• Skip early morning showers during peak hours.
• Electric water heaters are huge energy users. Even if you “turn it off,” it still cycles to hold temperature unless you install a timer or switch.
• Avoid heavy cooking from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. Ovens, griddles, and coffee makers all spike demand. Meal prep the night before or wait until after 9 a.m.
• Lower your thermostat before 6 a.m. Electric heat systems draw a significant amount of power when warming up. Let your home cool a few degrees, then turn the heat back up once rates drop.
• Run the dishwashers and laundry mid-morning or in the evening.
  Delaying those cycles by just a few hours can save several dollars a day.
• Use smart plugs and timers. They can shut off heaters, water heaters, or other big draws during expensive hours, then restore power automatically later.

The Bottom Line for South Carolina Homeowners
The time-of-use pricing system has been in effect for roughly a year now, but many local customers are still feeling the impact. The good news? Once you understand when power costs more, you can make simple adjustments to keep your monthly total relatively stable.

Remember — when you use electricity, it matters just as much as how much you use. By adjusting your routines slightly, you’ll protect your wallet and help alleviate strain on the local grid during peak hours.

A Local Word to the Wise
So let’s roll up our sleeves — or better yet, this time of year, put on a sweater — and show Blue Ridge Electric that we South Carolinians know how to save money. Around here, we’re resourceful. We know how to stay warm, live smart, and keep our homes running just fine without paying one penny more than we have to.

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