TECO Energy Planner (Tampa: home, water heater, live in)

[scarlett68]

Has anyone tried TECO's Energy Planner that they are advertising? Any good or bad stories about it? I was concerned to see the critical and high figures, as I don't know what assurance there would be that those figures would not occur a lot during the summer

[chi_tino]

I had a time-of-day meter when I live in Tampa from 2001-2009, and the rate plan was much better because the rates and times were fixed in advance. They discontinued the service because about 50 people signed up for it.

While there are a lot of advantages to this kind of program if you have systems that can be programmed to capture the lower rates (pool pumps, water heaters, etc), the new program is squirrelly because TECO has the option of calling the rates when they want, and you find out AFTER THE FACT. I'm not a big fan of that.

What I would do is (and this is very OCD) check your usage during these periods on your current meter for a week and see how it would translate to the new rate plan.

I currently have a time-of-day meter and pricing plan in St Pete (also discontinued by Progress/Duke, but grandfathered), that saves me approximately $800 a year over the standard rates. I have everything programmed -- pool pumps, multiple water heaters, and I run my clothes washers/dishwashers at off-peak periods. The HVAC system ramps up and down to coincide with the pricing changes. It's a bit of work, but I enjoy pocketing the extra cash.

If you are a retiree at home during the day, this program is not for you. Your summer bill will crush you. That's probably the only reason they have not made it mandatory like in other areas of the US.