Florida Time-of-Use Rates (2025)Save 15-30% by Shifting When You Use Power
⚡ Time-of-Use Quick Facts
- • What it is: Electric rates that vary by time of day (peak vs off-peak)
- • Peak hours: Weekdays 12pm-9pm (most expensive)
- • Off-peak hours: Nights, weekends (60-70% cheaper)
- • Savings potential: 15-30% if you can shift loads to off-peak
- • Best for: Manufacturing, storage facilities, charging operations
- • Risk: Higher bills if you can't avoid peak hours
Time-of-Use (TOU) rates charge different electricity prices based on when you use power. Peak hours (weekday afternoons) cost 2-3x more than off-peak hours (nights/weekends). If your business can shift energy usage to cheaper times, TOU rates can save 15-30%.
However, TOU rates are not for everyone. Businesses with inflexible peak-hour operations (like restaurants during lunch/dinner) often pay more on TOU rates than standard schedules.
💡 Real Example: Tampa Warehouse
Business: 25,000 sqft cold storage, Tampa (TECO)
Annual usage: 420,000 kWh
Before (standard rate): $48,600/year
Strategy: Run chillers/freezers full blast overnight, coast during peak
Usage shift:
- • Peak usage: 65% → 25% (-40%)
- • Off-peak usage: 35% → 75% (+40%)
After (TOU rate): $36,400/year
Savings: $12,200/year (25%)
Implementation cost: $4,200 (programmable controls)
Payback: 4 months
Should You Switch to TOU Rates?
Upload your bill and we'll analyze if Time-of-Use rates would save or cost you money.
📸 Analyze for TOU (Free) →Florida TOU Rate Schedules
Duke Energy Florida
| Period | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| On-Peak | Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm | $0.11-0.13/kWh |
| Mid-Peak | Mon-Fri 6am-12pm, 9pm-11pm | $0.07-0.08/kWh |
| Off-Peak | Mon-Fri 11pm-6am, Weekends | $0.04-0.05/kWh |
Savings potential: 60-70% cheaper off-peak vs on-peak
FPL (Florida Power & Light)
| Period | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| On-Peak | Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm (Nov-Mar) Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm (Apr-Oct) | $0.10-0.12/kWh |
| Off-Peak | All other hours + weekends | $0.04-0.06/kWh |
Note: FPL has seasonal variations; summer on-peak slightly higher
TECO (Tampa Electric)
| Period | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| On-Peak | Mon-Fri 1pm-8pm | $0.09-0.11/kWh |
| Off-Peak | All other hours + weekends | $0.04-0.05/kWh |
Advantage: Shorter peak window (7 hours vs 9 hours)
Who Benefits from TOU Rates?
✅ Great Fit
- • Manufacturing: Can shift production to nights
- • Cold storage: Pre-cool before peak, coast during peak
- • EV charging: Charge overnight (70% savings)
- • Data centers: Schedule batch jobs off-peak
- • Warehouses: Flexible operations
- • Irrigation: Water at night
❌ Poor Fit
- • Restaurants: Peak demand = meal rushes
- • Retail: Open during peak hours
- • Offices: 9am-5pm = mid/on-peak
- • Medical facilities: Can't shift patient care
- • Schools: Fixed schedule
- • No flexibility: Any business that can't shift loads
⚠️ Critical Rule
Only switch to TOU if you can shift 40%+ of your usage to off-peak. Otherwise, you'll likely pay more than on a standard rate. PowerAuditor.ai analyzes your 12-month usage patterns to determine if TOU makes sense.
5 Load Shifting Strategies
1. Pre-Cooling/Heating
Run HVAC full blast off-peak to pre-condition space, then reduce during peak. Cold storage can pre-cool to -15°F overnight, coast to -5°F during peak.
2. Production Scheduling
Shift manufacturing, processing, or batch operations to nights/weekends. One bakery saved $18k/year by baking overnight instead of mornings.
3. Battery Storage
Charge batteries off-peak, discharge during peak. $30k-$80k investment, 3-6 year payback. Best for businesses with high peak demand.
4. Equipment Scheduling
Use programmable controllers to run water heaters, compressors, pumps during off-peak. Simple timers cost $200-$500.
5. Peak Shedding
Reduce non-essential loads during peak: lighting levels, HVAC setback, equipment pause. Automated controls can do this for you.
TOU Success Stories
Orlando Manufacturing Plant
Type: Metal fabrication, 45k sqft
Before: $96,000/year (standard rate)
Action: Shifted 2nd shift to 10pm-6am
After: $68,400/year
Savings: $27,600/year (29%)
Implementation: Schedule change only (free!)
ROI: Instant
Miami EV Fleet Charging
Type: 50 delivery vans
Before: $84,000/year (charging during day)
Action: Smart chargers, overnight only
After: $31,200/year
Savings: $52,800/year (63%!)
FPL rebate: $12,500 (chargers)
Payback: 6 months
FAQ
Can I switch back from TOU if it doesn't work?
Yes, but most utilities require 12-month commitment. You can switch back after that period. Some utilities allow one free switch per year. PowerAuditor.ai's analysis prevents bad switches by modeling your costs on both rates first.
Do TOU rates have demand charges?
Yes! Most Florida commercial TOU rates still have demand charges based on peak kW usage. You need to optimize for both time-of-use and demand. Best strategy: shift loads to off-peak and flatten your demand curve.
What's the best TOU strategy for small businesses?
Start simple: Install $200-$500 in programmable timers for water heaters, HVAC, and equipment. Run them during off-peak (nights/weekends). This alone can shift 20-30% of usage with minimal investment. Add battery storage later if savings justify it.
Related Resources
Demand Charges Guide
TOU rates still have demand charges. Learn how to reduce both for maximum savings.
Read Guide →RebatesDuke Energy Rebates
Get rebates for battery storage, smart controls, and other TOU-enabling equipment.
View Rebates →Complete GuideReduce Costs 15-40%
TOU is one of 5 strategies to dramatically reduce Florida electric costs.
See All Strategies →Find Out if TOU Rates Will Save You Money
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