Effective April 1, 2026, CMLP is introducing a residential Time-of-Day (TOD) electric rate. With this new rate, the price you pay for electricity is based on when you use it. On weekdays, by shifting some of your electricity use to off-peak hours— before 3 PM and after 7 PM — you can save money and reduce strain on the grid.

When heating with heat pumps, should you turn your thermostat down between 3 PM and 7 PM on weekdays to save money? Or maybe jack the thermostat up before 3 PM to pre-heat your home and then turn it way down from 3 PM to 7PM? The best approach for heat pump users is to do neither of the above.  Unlike traditional furnaces, heat pumps are designed to run steadily and efficiently rather than ramping up and down.

• Don’t Change Your Winter Heating Habits: We do not recommend adjusting your thermostat during the 3 PM – 7 PM peak window. This can actually use more electricity. When using heat pumps for cooling during the summer, raising the thermostat a few degrees between 3 PM and 7 PM may result in savings. However, that depends on specific home conditions such as insulation levels and equipment types.  
• The “Super Off-Peak” Advantage: Because heat pumps use the most electricity during cold winter nights, you will automatically benefit from the Super Off-Peak rate (1 a.m. – 5 a.m.), the lowest TOD rate that CMLP charges. Most heat pump users are expected to see savings compared to the flat rates in effect prior to April 1, 2026.
• Thermostat Programs: If you enroll in the Connected Homes thermostat program, your thermostat will not be turned up or down from 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays. Instead, you will be notified if a monthly peak event is forecast to fall outside of the 3 PM - 7 PM weekday window. Unless you opt out, your thermostat will be raised or lowered (depending on the season) by up to 3 degrees during the peak event. You will be eligible for a $5 incentive per device enrolled in any month in which a peak event is called. No more than 2 - 3 of these events are anticipated throughout a calendar year. 

Why Time-of-Day Rates?

Electricity costs more to produce and deliver when everyone is using it at once. Time-of-Day (TOD) rates reflect these real-time costs. These rates encourage customers to use electricity when demand is low, which will lead to lower long-term costs for the entire community, reduced carbon emissions by using cleaner electricity sources available during off-peak hours, and a strengthened electricity grid by preventing system overloads.

How Time-of-Day Works

Starting April 1, 2026, your rate will depend on when you use electricity. You will see these changes reflected beginning with your May 2026 bill.

See the rate breakdown (per kWh) in the table to the right:    

Flexibility Matters: We believe TOD rates are the best way to save, but we understand that every home is different. If you find this structure doesn't fit your lifestyle, an Opt-Out Rate remains available.

View rates, FAQs and learn more on our website: concordma.gov/tod

Please request a meeting with one of CMLP’s trained heating/cooling coaches if you have further questions about best practices for heating and cooling your home with heat pumps.