PSO Time‑of‑Day Power Hours in Tulsa to Cut Bills

High summer bills in Tulsa can take the shine off a great home. If you’ve ever wondered why your July and August statements spike, you’re not alone. With Tulsa’s hot, humid afternoons, air conditioning drives most of your usage during the most expensive hours. The good news is you can take control. In this guide, you’ll learn how Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s Time‑of‑Day pricing and Power Hours thermostat program work, who should consider them, and exactly how to set your thermostat and schedule appliances to cut costs without sacrificing comfort. Let’s dive in.

Why Tulsa’s peak pricing matters

Tulsa’s peak demand usually lands from mid‑afternoon to early evening on hot days. That is when air conditioners work hardest and when electricity can cost more on optional time‑based rates. If you can reduce or shift some of that cooling load by a few degrees or a few hours, you can meaningfully lower your bill. Small adjustments add up during a long, hot summer.

How Time‑of‑Day pricing works

Time‑of‑Day (also called Time‑of‑Use) is an optional rate where the price per kWh varies by time block. On‑peak hours cost more and off‑peak hours cost less. The idea is simple: use power when it’s less expensive and avoid it when it’s pricier.

• Enrollment is voluntary and usually requires a time‑capable or advanced meter.
• Exact on‑peak hours, seasonal schedules, and price differences are set by PSO and can change. Check your account details before enrolling.
• If a large share of your usage happens during on‑peak windows, TOU can raise your bill unless you shift or trim that usage.

How Power Hours works

Power Hours is a thermostat‑based demand response program. When the grid is stressed, your enrolled smart thermostat automatically adjusts the setpoint slightly for a short period to reduce demand.

• For cooling, the setpoint is raised a few degrees. For heating, it is lowered.
• Events are limited in number and duration, and you can usually override them for comfort.
• Many thermostats support pre‑cooling so you stay comfortable while using less during the event itself.

Who should consider enrolling

You’re a strong candidate if you can shift flexible loads or if you already use a smart thermostat.

• Households with EVs, pool pumps, timers, or smart plugs that can run off‑peak.
• Owners who can raise the AC setpoint a few degrees during peak hours while staying comfortable.
• Anyone willing to automate schedules and let the thermostat ride through short Power Hours events.

If you run most appliances during late afternoon and early evening, TOU may not pay off unless you shift those cycles. The combination of TOU plus Power Hours works best when you automate your biggest loads and let your thermostat handle events.

Smart thermostat settings for Tulsa

Small, consistent adjustments are both effective and comfortable in our climate.

Cooling season settings

• Daytime occupied target: 72–78°F based on comfort. Energy‑minded target is 78°F when you are home and comfortable.
• During on‑peak hours or a Power Hours event: raise the setpoint by 2–4°F, typically to 80–82°F.
• Night or away: 82–85°F if safe. Use ceiling or floor fans to improve comfort.

Heating season settings

• Daytime occupied: around 68°F.
• Night or away: 60–64°F if safe.
• During an event: reduce heat by 2–4°F and layer clothing for short windows.

Thermostat features to enable

• Adaptive recovery and learning modes so comfort stabilizes before you wake or return.
• Geofencing so the system eases off when you are away and resumes before you arrive.
• Utility program participation within the thermostat app for smoother Power Hours events.

Shiftable loads to target

The fastest savings come from moving big energy users into off‑peak windows when prices are lower.

• EV charging: schedule 100 percent off‑peak.
• Dishwasher: use delay start for late night or early morning.
• Laundry: run washers and especially dryers off‑peak.
• Pool pump: set timers for overnight cycles.
• Electric water heater: add a timer to heat mainly off‑peak.

Pre‑cooling for comfort and savings

Pre‑cooling helps your home coast comfortably through the hottest hours.

• Lower your thermostat by 2–3°F for 30–60 minutes before on‑peak hours or an expected event.
• Close blinds on sunny windows and keep exterior doors shut to hold the cool.
• During the peak window, allow the setpoint to rise those 2–4°F. Use fans for comfort and turn them off when you leave rooms.

Estimate your savings

Your savings depend on when you use electricity and how much you can shift.

• Review your last 12 months of usage in PSO’s portal if available. Look for hourly or daily patterns during summer.
• Estimate your bill under TOU by multiplying your on‑peak kWh by the on‑peak rate and your off‑peak kWh by the off‑peak rate, then compare to your current plan.
• If most of your kWh lands during peak times, plan to shift flexible loads and raise AC setpoints slightly.
• Smart thermostat strategies can trim heating and cooling costs by several percent, often up to around 10 percent in ideal cases. Your results depend on behavior and weather.

Enrollment checklist

Take a simple, step‑by‑step approach before you switch rates or join Power Hours.

1. Before you enroll

• Confirm you have a compatible meter for TOU and a compatible smart thermostat for Power Hours.
• Check PSO’s current on‑peak hours, seasonal schedules, event limits, and incentives.
• Identify shiftable loads you can move off‑peak.

2. Enroll and set up

• Opt into TOU if the math favors you or you plan to actively shift loads.
• Enroll your thermostat in Power Hours and test a few setpoint changes to confirm comfort.
• Schedule EV charging, pool pump runs, dishwasher, and laundry off‑peak. Add a timer to your electric water heater if appropriate.

3. Track and tune

• Compare your bills over one to two months against a similar weather period.
• Adjust pre‑cooling, setpoint changes, and appliance schedules to balance comfort and savings.
• In extreme heat or cold, use manual override as needed and resume your schedule afterward.

Comfort and safety first

Comfort comes first, and these programs are designed with flexibility. Power Hours events are short, and you can usually override them right on your thermostat. If your household includes vulnerable occupants, keep setpoint changes modest and consider opting out of individual events on very hot days. Most programs allow opt‑outs and have event caps per season.

Common pitfalls to avoid

A few easy fixes can keep your plan on track.

• Forgetting to automate. Relying on memory to run the dishwasher at 10 p.m. is risky. Use delay starts and schedules.
• Over‑pre‑cooling. Dropping the setpoint too low for too long can erase savings. Stick to 2–3°F for 30–60 minutes.
• Ignoring windows and doors. Sun and infiltration add heat. Close blinds and check weatherstripping.
• Expecting instant bill drops without behavior change. TOU rewards shifting. Combine rate changes with smart scheduling.

How this helps homeowners and sellers

Lower, more predictable utility costs make day‑to‑day life easier. They can also support your home’s appeal when you decide to sell. Buyers appreciate clear, energy‑smart features like a well‑programmed thermostat, EV‑ready charging schedules, and proof of manageable summer bills. A simple binder or digital note that outlines your thermostat settings, appliance schedules, and recent statements can become a small but helpful part of your home presentation.

Ready to tailor a plan for your property and neighborhood? Schedule a complimentary consultation with our founder‑led team at Simms Realty Luxury Real Estate. Start the conversation with Unknown Company.

FAQs

What are PSO Time‑of‑Day rates in Tulsa?

• Time‑of‑Day is an optional plan where electricity prices are higher during on‑peak hours and lower off‑peak, encouraging you to shift usage to cheaper times.

How does the Power Hours thermostat program work?

• When the grid is stressed, your enrolled smart thermostat raises cooling or lowers heating a few degrees for a short time, with the option to override.

Will these programs make my home uncomfortable?

• Not necessarily. Most guidance suggests 2–4°F setpoint changes and brief events, plus you can pre‑cool and override if needed.

Do I need special equipment to enroll?

• TOU typically requires an advanced meter, and Power Hours requires a compatible Wi‑Fi smart thermostat or a utility‑provided device.

How do I know if Time‑of‑Day will save me money?

• Review your hourly usage, estimate costs under on‑peak and off‑peak prices, and see how much load you can move off‑peak. If most usage is peak‑heavy, plan to shift loads.