How Much Can You Save by Shifting Electricity Use?
Estimate the savings from moving flexible electricity consumption out of an expensive time-of-use period and into a cheaper period.
How time-of-use shifting creates savings
A time-of-use tariff assigns different prices to different periods. Moving flexible consumption into a cheaper period can reduce the amount of energy purchased at the higher rate.
The rate spread matters
The larger the difference between the expensive and cheap periods, the more valuable each successfully shifted kWh becomes. If the rates are nearly identical, shifting provides little energy-price benefit.
Why only some energy may be shiftable
Not every load can move. Refrigeration, lighting, electronics and other services may need to operate at specific times. The calculator therefore asks for the energy that can realistically be shifted.
Battery-assisted shifting
When a battery is used, charging and discharge losses reduce the energy that ultimately offsets expensive-period consumption. Those losses should be included when they materially affect the result.
FAQs
Can I use this for a home battery?
Yes, when the battery is being used to move electricity between tariff periods.
Does it model demand charges?
No. It focuses on energy-price differences.
What if the cheap period is during solar production?
Consider the opportunity cost of using solar for charging instead of immediate use or export.
Can all daily energy be shifted?
Only if the load is actually flexible and the equipment has enough capacity and power to move it.