A Complete Guide to SCE TOU Plans
Electricity used to feel simple. You flipped a switch. You got light. Then the bill came. But today, prices shift during the day. Some hours cost more than others. That’s why SCE (Southern California Edison) offers TOU plans. TOU means "Time-of-Use." It’s not just about how much electricity you use. It's about when you use it.
Understand SCE and Its TOU Plans
SCE is one of the largest electric companies in California. It provides electricity to homes and businesses across the state. To better manage energy and costs, SCE offers different pricing plans. These plans are called TOU or Time-of-Use. They charge different prices during different hours of the day.
The goal is to reduce electricity use during high-demand hours. That helps the power grid stay stable. It also encourages people to use energy during cleaner, lower-demand hours. TOU pricing supports renewable energy like solar power, especially in the afternoon.
Benefits of SCE TOU Plans
For many families, TOU plans can lower their electricity bills. But that depends on when they use energy. If most electricity is used during cheaper hours, the savings can add up. These plans are also better for the environment.
Why many households like TOU plans: 4 Reasons
- Cheaper off-peak hours: Power used early in the day, at night, or on weekends costs less.
- Helps control bills: Moving large appliance use to off-peak hours helps reduce charges.
- Supports solar energy: Afternoon rates match solar output. Homes with panels benefit more.
- Encourages smart habits: Families often learn better ways to manage usage.
Examples of 4 good habits under TOU:
- Running the dishwasher late at night
- Charging EVs during overnight hours
- Doing laundry on weekends instead of weekdays
- Pre-cooling the house before peak hours start
SCE TOU Plans In Detail
SCE offers several TOU plans. Each has its own peak times and prices. The goal is the same: lower costs when demand is low, and higher prices during busy hours.
Let’s look at the 3 most used plans one by one.
TOU-D 4PM to 9PM
This plan is good for people who stay up late or use less power during the afternoon. It often works for small homes or apartments.
Basic Details
Item | Value |
Peak Hours (Summer) | 4 PM – 9 PM, Weekdays |
Daily Basic Charge | $0.03/day |
Minimum Daily Charge | $0.35/day |
Baseline Credit | -$0.09/kWh (up to allowance) |
Summer Rates (June – September)
Time | Type | Price/kWh | After Credit |
12 AM – 4 PM | Off-Peak | 36¢ | 27¢ |
4 PM – 9 PM | On-Peak | 58¢ | 49¢ |
9 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 36¢ | 27¢ |
Winter Rates (October – May)
Time | Type | Price/kWh | After Credit |
12 AM – 8 AM | Off-Peak | 38¢ | 29¢ |
8 AM – 4 PM | Super Off-Peak | 35¢ | 26¢ |
4 PM – 9 PM | Mid-Peak | 51¢ | 42¢ |
9 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 38¢ | 29¢ |
Good For
- People who are away from home from 4 PM to 9 PM
- Night-time users
- Smaller homes in coastal areas
TOU-D 5PM to 8PM
This plan is better for people who stay home during the day. It helps if you use less power in the early evening.
Basic Details
Item | Value |
Peak Hours (Summer) | 5 PM – 8 PM, Weekdays |
Daily Basic Charge | $0.03/day |
Minimum Daily Charge | $0.35/day |
Baseline Credit | -$0.09/kWh (up to allowance) |
Summer Rates (June – September)
Time | Type | Price/kWh | After Credit |
12 AM – 5 PM | Off-Peak | 36¢ | 27¢ |
5 PM – 8 PM | On-Peak | 72¢ | 63¢ |
8 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 36¢ | 27¢ |
Winter Rates (October – May)
Time | Type | Price/kWh | After Credit |
12 AM – 8 AM | Off-Peak | 39¢ | 30¢ |
8 AM – 5 PM | Super Off-Peak | 34¢ | 25¢ |
5 PM – 8 PM | Mid-Peak | 60¢ | 51¢ |
8 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 39¢ | 30¢ |
Good For
- Households that use more energy before 5 PM
- People who rest or cook earlier in the evening
- Homes with flexible evening routines
TOU-D-PRIME
This plan is made for homes that use new clean energy tools. It fits well with electric vehicles, solar panels, batteries, or electric heat pump water heaters. The daily charge is higher, but off-peak hours are cheaper.
Basic Details
Item | Value |
Peak Hours | 4 PM – 9 PM, All Days |
Daily Basic Charge | $0.52/day |
Minimum Daily Charge | None |
Baseline Credit | None |
Summer Rates (June – September)
Day | Time | Type | Price/kWh |
Weekdays | 12 AM – 4 PM | Off-Peak | 25¢ |
Weekdays | 4 PM – 9 PM | On-Peak | 55¢ |
Weekdays | 9 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 25¢ |
Weekends | 12 AM – 4 PM | Off-Peak | 25¢ |
Weekends | 4 PM – 9 PM | Mid-Peak | 37¢ |
Weekends | 9 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 25¢ |
Winter Rates (October – May)
Time | Type | Price/kWh |
12 AM – 8 AM | Off-Peak | 24¢ |
8 AM – 4 PM | Super Off-Peak | 24¢ |
4 PM – 9 PM | Mid-Peak | 52¢ |
9 PM – 12 AM | Off-Peak | 24¢ |
Good For
- EV drivers charging overnight
- Homes with solar panels + battery storage
- People who use electric heat pump systems
- All-electric homes that run on clean energy
How to Choose Your SCE TOU Plan Based on Your Needs
Choosing the right plan depends on your schedule, appliance use, and home setup. You can compare your past usage patterns through SCE’s online tools. Here are simple ways to decide:
Are you home all day?
If someone is home most of the day—cooking, using lights, running fans or computers—you use power when the sun is out. That means your high-use hours may happen before 5 PM.
Best Match: TOU-D 5PM to 8PM
- This plan has cheaper power before 5 PM.
- It helps if you don’t need much electricity after 5 PM.
- If your evenings are quiet, you avoid the most expensive time.
Do you sleep late or use power late?
Some people don’t get home until 6 or 7 PM. Others cook dinner late or watch TV until midnight. If you do laundry or charge devices after 9 PM, you are a night user.
Best Match: TOU-D 4PM to 9PM
- This plan ends the high-rate time at 9 PM.
- You can save by using big appliances after that.
- It works well if your peak use starts after sunset.
Do you have an electric car or solar battery?
If you own an EV, you probably charge it overnight. If you have solar panels and a home battery, you may store energy and use it when prices go up. These tools give you more control over when you pull power from the grid.
Best Match: TOU-D-PRIME
- Off-peak prices are low during most of the day and night.
- There is no baseline credit, but the rate is lower to start with.
- You can match charging or storage with off-peak hours to save more.
Do you run heavy machines during peak times?
Some homes use electric dryers, ovens, or A/C units during dinner time or early evening. These devices pull a lot of power. If you run them during expensive hours, your bill goes up fast.
What to do:
Pick a plan that matches your power use with cheaper times. For example:
- Shift laundry to after 9 PM (good for TOU-D 4–9PM)
- Cook before 5 PM (better for TOU-D 5–8PM)
- Set A/C to cool early in the day and coast through peak hours
A good match helps you avoid high charges without changing your whole lifestyle.
Is Solar Battery a Good Match to SCE TOU?
Yes. A solar battery can work very well with SCE’s Time-of-Use (TOU) plans. During the day, your solar panels make power. A battery stores that extra power. Then at night, when TOU rates go up, you can use your stored energy instead of paying higher grid prices.
This is helpful because most SCE TOU plans charge more from 4 PM to 9 PM or 5 PM to 8 PM. These are the hours when most families are home and using lights, ovens, TVs, and air conditioning.
Why Solar Battery + TOU Plans Work Well Together
You can user solar power for your home when grid power costs the most.
Your monthly bill gets smaller, even if your use stays the same.
You help reduce pressure on the grid during peak hours.
If the grid goes out, your battery can keep your home running.
Many homes with solar also pair with a smart battery system. One of the most complete systems is the EcoFlow Ocean Pro. It is designed for homes that want full-day energy protection, including during extreme heat, floods, or high loads.
Why EcoFlow OCEAN Pro Matches SCE TOU Plans
Feature | Benefit for TOU Users |
Expandable Battery | Start with 10kWh, grow to 80kWh as your energy needs grow |
High Output Power | 24kW continuous / 50kW peak — handles A/C, ovens, and EVs |
Solar Input | 40kW max input with 8 MPPTs — charges quickly while the sun shines |
Smart Switching | Works with grid and generators for flexible backup |
AI Energy Assistant | Helps reduce bills by up to 40% with usage tracking and smart scheduling |
15-Year Warranty | Long service life for both residential and business needs |
Rugged Design | IP67-rated, flood-resistant to 2.6 ft, handles up to 140°F heat |
Safe Architecture | Built-in fire suppression and explosion-proof valve for peace of mind |
For people using TOU-D 4–9PM or TOU-D 5–8PM, solar batteries help you avoid peak pricing every evening. If you also install a heat pump water heater, SCE may give you extra daily baseline allowance. That means you can use more power at the lower rate tier each day, which lowers your bill even more.
Smart Support and Real-Life Help
The EcoFlow OCEAN Pro system is not just hardware. It also includes:
AI-based recommendations to help you lower your bill
Energy dashboard to show where your power goes
Virtual Power Plant (VPP) option to sell extra power back to the grid
Custom design options to fit your home’s style and layout
24/7 customer service and installation tracking to support every step
Pairing the right battery with the right SCE TOU plan can give you reliable power, lower bills, and long-term energy confidence. The EcoFlow OCEAN Pro system supports all these goals in a safe, smart, and expandable way.
Take Control of Your Bill: Choosing the Right SCE TOU Plan
SCE’s TOU plans are built to reward smart energy habits. You don’t need to change your whole life. Just shift some usage to lower-priced times. Compare plans based on when you use power and what type of home you live in. Pairing solar and a home battery with the right TOU plan can give you more control and peace of mind.
If you want lower bills and cleaner choices, the right TOU plan is a strong step forward.