The comparison desk / SMUD
SMUD Fixed Rate vs Time-of-Day
The same number of kWh can cost different amounts depending on which hours you use them. Both plans also carry recurring charges outside the energy rate.
01 / The rate structure
The difference that matters
SMUD’s Time-of-Day plan has weekday peak prices from 5 to 8 p.m. Summer adds mid-peak periods, while weekends and the specified holidays are off-peak. Fixed Rate keeps the same energy price through every hour of a season.
The name “Fixed” does not freeze all prices indefinitely. Its summer and non-summer energy rates differ, and both programs can change through tariff revisions.
02 / The worked bill
Synthetic exampleA worked example,
with the charges included.
Educational example, not a real customer. June 2026, one kWh in every elapsed hour: 720 kWh total. Sacramento city, ordinary taxable service, no optional programs or discounts. All enrollment and service conditions are assumed confirmed.
$22.49difference for this
synthetic profile
| Component | Time-of-Day | Fixed Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | $136.69 | $157.61 |
| System Infrastructure Fixed Charge | $27.00 | $27.00 |
| Hydro Generation Adjustment | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| California Energy Resources Surcharge | $0.22 | $0.22 |
| City of Sacramento utility user tax | $12.28 | $13.85 |
| Modeled recurring total | $176.19 | $198.68 |
Time-of-Day energy is 468 off-peak kWh × $0.1550 + 189 mid-peak kWh × $0.2139 + 63 peak kWh × $0.3765, rounding each line to cents. The city tax applies to service charges, excluding the state surcharge. The example’s $22.49 difference depends on this synthetic distribution.
03 / The conditions
Check eligibility before considering a switch
Fixed Rate excludes certain solar, battery and SolarShares arrangements. Switching frequency and the effective switch date also matter. Confirm your eligibility with SMUD.
A complete comparison requires the same confirmed service conditions and periods for both plans. Unknown eligibility remains a conditional scenario; unknown material charges remove the total-cost ranking.
04 / Your next step
Use your own pattern
Import measured interval energy to see which periods account for the difference. Monthly totals alone cannot tell us your personal time-of-day cost. The manual shift tool is a separate what-if and shows exactly which intervals change.
Sources & verification
Official documents take precedence over summary tables. Rates are independently transcribed facts; linked documents retain their publishers’ rights.
- SMUD Rate Schedule R
Sheets R-1 through R-4; II.A and V · Verified 2026-09-22 - SMUD Rate Schedule R-TOD
Sheets R-TOD-1 through R-TOD-5; II.A, V and VI · Verified 2026-09-22 - SMUD current surcharges
State surcharge and Adjustments sections · Verified 2026-09-22 - SMUD TOD rate details and holidays
Holiday calendar and footnote · Verified 2026-09-22 - City of Sacramento utility user tax
Utility User Tax main content · Verified 2026-09-22