The schedule in one paragraph
On-peak is 5 to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, year-round. Everything else is off-peak. Summer pricing applies June through September, when prices are higher than in the rest of the year. The on-peak rate runs about 2.7 times the off-peak rate. Xcel made this the default for residential customers with smart meters, and customers can opt out to a flat rate.
If you remember older Xcel time-of-use descriptions with a 3–7 pm peak and a mid-peak period, those describe the earlier plan. The 5–9 pm window replaced it.
Where to find your actual rates
We don’t quote exact cents per kWh here because Xcel adjusts them through rate cases and quarterly riders, and we haven’t verified the current figures. Your bill shows them: in the electricity charges section, time-of-use customers see usage split into on-peak and off-peak lines, each with the kWh used and the price applied. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission also publishes Xcel’s approved residential tariffs.
Look at the on-peak share of your usage. If 20–25% of your kWh fall between 5 and 9 pm on weekdays, the peak window is a significant part of your bill, and shifting it is worth effort.
Free ways to shift load
Start with the loads that run on a schedule you control. Set the EV to start charging after 9 pm. Run the dishwasher, washer and dryer before 5 or after 9, or on weekends. Pre-cool the house in summer before 5 pm so the air conditioner coasts through the peak.
These changes cost nothing and are worth doing whether or not you ever go solar.
What solar does on time-of-use
Solar produces most around midday, which is off-peak, and fades by early evening — right as the peak begins. A south-facing array does little for the 5–9 pm window, especially in winter when the sun sets before 5. West-facing panels extend production toward the peak in summer.
That’s why solar alone mostly reduces your off-peak and total kWh, while the peak window is a job for storage or behavior.
What a battery can save, honestly
A battery charged by midday solar can supply your home from 5 to 9 pm so you buy little or no on-peak power. The value is the gap between on-peak and off-peak price times the kWh you shift, every weekday. For most homes that’s real money over a year, but not enough on its own to pay back a $15,500–$19,000 battery in a short time.
The stronger case is combined value: peak shifting plus outage protection, plus any Xcel battery program payment, plus Colorado’s 10% battery credit through tax year 2026. Our peak-shift calculator estimates the time-of-use piece for your usage once you enter your bill’s on-peak and off-peak rates.
Should you opt out?
If most of your use falls in the evening and you can’t move it — for example, a household that’s away all day and cooks, bathes and does laundry after work — the flat rate may cost less. If you can shift loads, charge an EV overnight or have solar and a battery, time-of-use usually works in your favor. Compare a few months of your own bills before deciding.
FAQ
Questions we hear
What are Xcel’s peak hours in Colorado?
5 to 9 pm on non-holiday weekdays, year-round, since November 1, 2025. Weekends, holidays and all other weekday hours are off-peak.
How much more does on-peak power cost?
About 2.7 times the off-peak rate. Your bill lists the exact cents per kWh for each period, and summer (June–September) rates are higher than the rest of the year.
Can I get off Xcel time-of-use rates?
Yes. Time-of-use is the default for residential customers with smart meters, but you can opt out to a flat rate. Check a few months of bills first.
Do solar panels help with 5–9 pm peak pricing?
Only a little, mostly in summer with west-facing panels. Solar production fades by early evening, so covering the peak is a job for a battery or for shifting loads.
Is a battery worth it just for time-of-use savings?
Usually not on its own. It becomes a better value when combined with outage backup, any available utility program payments and Colorado’s 10% battery credit through tax year 2026.
When should I charge my EV on Xcel TOU?
After 9 pm on weekdays or any time on weekends and holidays. Most cars and chargers can schedule this automatically.