Timeshifting Examples

Timeshifting means running an appliance during off-peak hours instead of peak hours. You don't use less electricity — you just use it at a cheaper time. Here are concrete examples with numbers.

All examples use a sample TOU schedule:

• Peak: 4 PM – 9 PM at $0.48/kWh
• Off-Peak: 9 PM – 4 PM (next day) at $0.32/kWh

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Dishwasher

A typical dishwasher draws 1,200–1,800W and runs for about 1.5 hours per cycle.

Run at 7 PM (peak):

• 1,500W × 1.5h = 2.25 kWh × $0.48 = $1.08/cycle
• Annual (1 cycle/day): $394/year

Delay start to 9:30 PM (off-peak):

• 2.25 kWh × $0.32 = $0.72/cycle
• Annual: $263/year

Savings: $0.36/cycle → ~$131/year

Most modern dishwashers have a "delay start" button. Set it before dinner, let it run overnight.

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Clothes Washer

A modern clothes washer draws 400–1,200W depending on cycle. Hot water adds load; cold wash cuts it significantly.

Warm wash, 45-minute cycle at 5 PM (peak):

• 800W × 0.75h = 0.6 kWh × $0.48 = $0.29/load

Same cycle at 10 PM (off-peak):

• 0.6 kWh × $0.32 = $0.19/load

Savings: $0.10/load

At 5 loads/week, that's $26/year just from timing — plus more if you also switch to cold wash (which reduces water-heating energy significantly).

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Clothes Dryer

The dryer is where the real money is. Electric dryers draw 4,000–6,000W for 45–60 minutes.

5,000W dryer, 1 hour at 6 PM (peak):

• 5 kWh × $0.48 = $2.40/load

Same load at 10 PM (off-peak):

• 5 kWh × $0.32 = $1.60/load

Savings: $0.80/load

At 5 loads/week: $208/year. This is the highest-impact shift for most households. The washer-to-dryer pipeline is easy to move: start the washer at 8 PM, move to dryer at 9 PM, done by midnight.

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Electric Vehicle Charging

EV charging is the biggest single shift opportunity for households that have one.

A Level 2 charger draws 6,400–11,500W (32–48A @ 240V). A typical overnight charge session adds 20–40 kWh.

30 kWh charge starting at 7 PM (partial peak):

• 2h peak + 4h off-peak = (2h × 7.7kW × $0.48) + (4h × 7.7kW × $0.32)
• = $7.39 + $9.86 = $17.25/session

Same 30 kWh, scheduled to start at 11 PM (off-peak):

• 30 kWh × $0.32 = $9.60/session

Savings: $7.65/session

At 4 charges/week: $1,591/year. Every major EV and charger app supports scheduled charging. Set it once, never think about it again.

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Water Heater (Electric Tank)

A 50-gallon electric water heater draws 4,000–5,500W for 1–2 hours to recover after heavy use.

If your household showers in the evening (triggering a recovery cycle at 6 PM peak):

4,500W for 1.5h at 6 PM (peak):

• 6.75 kWh × $0.48 = $3.24

Same recovery triggered by a timer that delays to 9:30 PM:

• 6.75 kWh × $0.32 = $2.16

Savings: $1.08/cycle → ~$394/year (if this happens daily)

Some smart water heaters support TOU scheduling natively. If yours doesn't, check if it has a built-in timer — many modern tanks do. Otherwise, your utility may offer a free load-control program that handles the scheduling for you.

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Pool Pump

For home lab builders who also happen to have a pool: the pump is a major load.

A 1.5 HP variable-speed pump draws 1,100W on high speed, running 6–8 hours/day.

8h/day at peak hours (partial overlap): With 5h peak + 3h off-peak:

• (5h × 1.1kW × $0.48) + (3h × 1.1kW × $0.32) = $2.64 + $1.06 = $3.70/day → $1,350/year

Shift all 8h to off-peak (9 PM – 5 AM):

• 8h × 1.1kW × $0.32 = $2.82/day → $1,029/year

Savings: $321/year

Most pool pump controllers have built-in scheduling. Change the run window to overnight.

Variable-speed pumps can cut costs further: instead of running at full speed for 6–8 hours, they run at a lower speed for 10–14 hours, moving the same volume of water at a fraction of the wattage. A pump drawing 1,100W at high speed may draw only 150–300W at low speed — shifting and slowing it can reduce annual pump costs by 50–70% compared to a fixed-speed pump running at peak hours.

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How to use PowerUsage for shift planning

1. Open the calculator and select your device
2. Set your location to load your TOU schedule
3. Enter your device's usage schedule (what hours it currently runs)
4. Check the Shift Savings panel — it shows the optimal run window and projected annual savings
5. Compare peak vs. off-peak costs side-by-side

The shift savings calculation accounts for your exact TOU tier boundaries, not just a generic "peak" label.