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Introducing DemandLevel
The pricing structure powering our shared future.
Why Is My Bill Changing?
DemandLevel helps manage “high‑demand moments,” or periods when lots of electricity is being used at the same time. The new pricing structure is intended to educate and help customers stagger their energy use, when possible, to reduce these peaks – and also support delaying future generation needs.
What Will Be Different?
Your monthly bill will now reflect two ways you use electricity:
- Consumption – Your total monthly energy use
Your consumption rate will be reduced by 12.5% per kilowatt-hour (kWh), making the energy you use each month more affordable. - Peak Demand – Your highest 15‑minute usage in the previous month
At the same time, a new charge will be added that reflects your peak demand. This will appear on your bill as your DemandLevel charge (tier 1, 2 or 3). Your tier is determined by the highest level of energy (kilowatts) used in any 15-minute window during the preceding bill cycle.
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It is estimated that the lower electric rate will offset most of the new DemandLevel charge, depending on your usage patterns. Because your tier level resets each month, we encourage you to use OUC’s new tools to help track, stagger and lower your energy peak — and reach the lowest possible tier for your home or business.
Total Electric Charges =
Consumption Charge (kWh) + DemandLevel Charge (kW)
When Does It Start?
For most customers, this change begins with your November 2026 bill and will be based on your peak demand the prior month (October).* Visit Service Rates & Costs for full details on DemandLevel tiers.
*OUC Power Pass Customers: As OUC Power Pass is a pre-pay program, your DemandLevel charges begin with your daily October usage. As with traditional customers, your peak demand from the previous month determines your DemandLevel tier (1, 2 or 3). Your DemandLevel charge is divided into daily increments, with Tier 1 charges starting as low as 16¢ a day for Orlando customers, and 17¢ a day for St. Cloud.
What You Can Do Today
So, what can you do now to help reduce your demand on the grid while saving money at the same time?
For Residential Customers
When it comes to managing your energy use, timing can matter just as much as how much electricity you use. With just a few simple adjustments, you can manage your peak demand while keeping the comfort and convenience you’re used to.
For Small Business Customers
As a business, the best way to control DemandLevel costs is by making sure your equipment, business space, appliances and more are as energy efficient as possible.
What is Electric Demand?
Electric demand is peak amount you are pulling from the electrical grid at one time. The more energy you use in a short period of time, such as when you run multiple appliances at the same time, the higher your electric demand will be.
Consumption is how much electricity you use over a period of time. This is what you’ve seen on your electric bill before DemandLevel.
When you use a lot of electricity at the same time, that increases demand on the entire grid and OUC has to generate additional energy by activating more power plants, purchasing power from the wholesale market, using stored energy, or through other means.
When we all reduce our demand, we put less strain on the system and create more savings that can be passed on to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is OUC changing its pricing for electricity?
As customer energy use becomes more varied, with more people using electric vehicles, new technologies and energy intensive facilities, our current pricing no longer reflects how the system is actually used. Updating our approach helps keep things fair, reliable and ready for the future.
What is demand?
The amount of electricity you use at one time, such as when several major appliances run at once. Your DemandLevel tier is based on your peak demand, the highest amount of electricity used during any single 15-minute period in the previous month.
Why is OUC trying to reduce demand?
By reducing demand spikes across our system, PeakSHIFT reduces or delays the need to add expensive new power sources, helping keep costs down for all.
What is the difference between consumption and demand?
Demand is the peak amount you are pulling from the electrical grid at one time. Everything that draws electricity adds to your demand. Consumption is how much electricity you use over a period of time. Think of it like driving a car. Consumption is your total mileage over the month, adding up with every trip. Demand is your speed, which changes from moment to moment depending on how hard you press the accelerator.
How can you track demand?
You can see details on your demand – and consumption – in the Usage Dashboard in your myOUC account.
Is my DemandLevel tier permanent?
No. Your peak demand resets each billing cycle, so your tier can change monthly.
How does DemandLevel impact OUC Power Pass customers?
Your peak demand for the previous month determines your DemandLevel tier (1, 2 or 3). But you will have a daily charge that will be calculated by taking the standard tier and dividing it by 30.4. Daily DemandLevel charges start at 16¢ in Orlando and 17¢ in St. Cloud.