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Somewhat Bullish +50

Potomac Edison Customers in Maryland Can Lower Their Bills With New Residential Time-of-Use Rate

AI-generated analysis

πŸ“… The new residential time-of-use rate launches for Potomac Edison customers on April 20, 2026.

πŸ’‘ Electricity prices vary depending on the time of day based on grid demand levels.

⏰ Off-peak hours include mornings, late evenings, and weekends, offering lower rates than weekday peaks.

πŸ“‰ Off-peak charges cost about 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to 16 cents during on-peak times.

🌑️ Price differences apply only to specific portions of the bill based on energy use in kilowatt-hours.

πŸ•” Peak hours are defined as 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. during daylight saving time and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time.

🧺 Residents can save by shifting activities like laundry to off-peak windows or using major appliances outside peak times.

βœ† There is no upfront cost for customers to enroll in the new rate program.

πŸ“ž Customers can sign up by calling 1-800-686-0011.

⚠️ Enrollment is limited to Potomac Edison electricity supply customers only.

β›” Participants cannot also be enrolled in the electric vehicle charger time-of-use rider.

πŸ”Œ Enrolled customers will receive a new meter that tracks on-peak and off-peak usage separately.

πŸ’³ Rate changes begin with the customer's next billing cycle after enrollment.

🏑 Potomac Edison currently serves approximately 285,000 customers in seven Maryland counties.

⚑ The utility also provides service to about 155,000 customers in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.

Bullish Signals
  • A new residential time-of-use rate lets Potomac Edison customers in Maryland save money by shifting electricity use to times of the day when demand is lower.
  • Off-peak electric supply charges cost about 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, roughly 44% less than on-peak costs of about 16 cents per kilowatt-hour.
  • The new rate launches April 20 with no upfront cost to sign up and the next billing cycle begins immediately after enrolling.
  • Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven counties in Maryland, providing a wide reach for this savings opportunity.
  • There is no upfront cost to sign up; Customers can enroll by calling 1-800-686-0011 to start reducing their bills.
Risk Factors
  • Customers enrolled in the new residential time-of-use rate must replace their existing meters with ones that track on-peak and off-peak usage, incurring a potential cost for equipment upgrades.
  • Eligibility is restricted only to customers who receive electricity supply through Potomac Edison, excluding other utility providers' customers from this rate structure.
  • Customers are prohibited from participating in the electric vehicle charger time-of-use rider if they enroll in the residential time-of-use rate, limiting flexibility for EV owners.
  • The new rate is not retroactive and begins with the customer's next billing cycle, meaning existing customers cannot apply these savings to past or current bills immediately.
Full Analysis
Starting April 20, Potomac Edison customers in Maryland can lower their electric bills by enrolling in a new residential time-of-use rate offered by the utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE). This program charges less for electricity during off-peak hours, such as mornings, late evenings, and weekends, compared to the higher rates applied during weekday peak hours when grid demand is highest. The price difference applies to specific portions of the bill based on energy use measured in kilowatt-hours, while certain fixed charges remain the same regardless of usage timing. Under the new rate structure, on-peak electric supply and variable distribution charges cost approximately 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, whereas off-peak rates are roughly 44% lower at about 9 cents per kilowatt-hour. Peak periods are defined as 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. during daylight saving time and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, with seasonal adjustments applied to electric supply charges. Customers may reduce their monthly bills by shifting everyday activities like laundry or running major appliances outside the weekday peak window. Enrollment is free of charge and requires no upfront cost, with customers able to sign up by calling 1-800-686-0011 or visiting firstenergycorp.com/touMD for details. Eligibility is restricted to Potomac Edison customers who receive their electricity supply through the company; those already enrolled in the electric vehicle charger time-of-use rider cannot participate in this residential rate. Upon enrollment, a smart meter will be replaced to track on-peak and off-peak usage, and the new rate will take effect beginning with the customer's next billing cycle. Potomac Edison currently serves approximately 285,000 customers across seven Maryland counties and about 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.