Home Electrical Part 12: time-of-use — why evening power costs more

Same wash… but it costs more at 6 PM? 🧺⚡

⏰ Many power plans now change the price by the hour — "time-of-use" (or time-of-day) plans. Your smart meter records WHEN you use power, not just how much.
🍳 In the early evening (often about 5–9 PM) everyone gets home: cooking, lights, TV, AC or heating — all at once.
🌇 At the same time the sun sets, so solar power fades.
🏭 To keep up, the grid starts extra power plants that are expensive to run → peak power costs more.
🌙 Cheapest? Usually late at night, when few people use power (and in sunny places, sometimes midday too).
✅ Tip: use the timer — run the washer, dishwasher and EV charging off-peak.
🌍 Found in the USA, UK, Europe, Australia and India (ToD tariffs). Check your own plan's hours.