If you’ve opened your latest electricity bill from PG&E or SMUD and felt a jolt, you’re not alone. Many California homeowners and business owners are seeing rising costs and more complicated rate structures. With the new 2025 Net Billing rules around the corner, Sacramento area residents must take a fresh look at how and when they use electricity, especially if they have solar panels or battery storage. By adopting a few smart load shifting strategies, you can stretch your home energy savings further and maximize your investment in solar power.
What is Load Shifting and Why Does It Matter?
Load shifting means moving your major electricity use to times of day when rates are lower, often during “off-peak” hours. Utilities like PG&E and SMUD set different rates depending on the time you draw electricity from the grid. With the 2025 net billing changes—sometimes called NEM 3.0—coming into effect, the gaps between peak and off-peak rates will become even sharper. That means timing truly is everything if you want to cut energy costs and get the most out of your solar panels or battery storage system.
Peak vs. Off-Peak: Understanding the New Sacramento Electricity Rates
Under current and upcoming net billing structures, you’ll pay significantly more for using electricity during peak hours (typically from 4 PM to 9 PM), while off-peak periods (like late at night or early morning) offer lower rates. At the same time, utilities will be crediting you less for solar power you send to the grid during peak periods. For PG&E and SMUD customers in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, and beyond, managing when you use (and store) electricity is the key to bigger savings.
Simple Load Shifting Strategies for California Homes and Businesses
You don’t need to radically change your lifestyle to see results. Try these straightforward tactics—most require just a few tweaks or the adoption of smart technology.
Run Appliances at Night or Early Morning
Major appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers consume a lot of energy. Take advantage of their delay features and run them after 9 p.m. or before 4 p.m. This is when Sacramento electricity rates are lowest, making every load cheaper. Modern models from brands like LG, Samsung, and GE offer easy programmability.
Charge Your Electric Vehicle Overnight
If you own an EV, schedule charging for the early hours of the morning. Most utilities, including SMUD and PG&E, offer “Super Off-Peak” EV rates after midnight. Smart EV chargers allow you to automate this process, ensuring your car is ready and your bill is reduced under the 2025 net billing structure.
Pre-Cool (or Pre-Heat) Your Home
In hot Sacramento summers, air conditioning is a major expense—especially during late afternoons. Use your smart thermostat to cool your home in the early morning before peak pricing hits. Then, raise the temperature during peak periods. The same principle applies for heating during winter evenings.
Leverage Battery Storage for Maximum Savings
If you have solar panels with a battery storage system like Tesla Powerwall or Enphase, store excess solar energy produced midday when the sun is brightest. Then, use that stored energy to power your home between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., bypassing expensive grid rates entirely. This strategy is especially effective under the NEM3 net billing rules for California.
Shift Pool and Large Equipment Usage
Pool pumps, water heaters, and other big appliances should be set to run outside of the 4–9 p.m. peak window. You can use timers or smart switches to automate these shifts. Many Sacramento homes with pools report seeing hundreds in annual energy savings from this simple change.
How 2025 Net Billing Changes Make Load Shifting Essential
The 2025 updates to net billing (NEM 3.0) will mean that exporting solar power to the grid during peak times earns you less credit, while grid electricity usage during those same periods becomes far more expensive. By shifting your use outside those windows, you keep more money in your pocket and make the most of your solar and battery investments.
Maximize Solar Power Self-Consumption
With the value of exported energy declining, you’ll save more by using your own solar generation directly. Combining load shifting with battery storage lets you “self-consume” the power your system produces, rather than selling it back cheap and buying it back expensive.
Take the Next Step Toward Lower Bills
Load shifting is one of the most effective ways for Sacramento-area residents to cut energy costs and ride out the upcoming rate and tariff changes. Whether you have rooftop solar, battery storage, or are simply looking for ways to boost home energy savings, timing your energy use is now more important than ever.
Want help building your load shifting plan or exploring battery options? Contact our Sacramento solar experts today for a customized consultation or a detailed net billing tariff comparison. Find the right solutions for your home or business—and start saving before 2025 arrives!
