Starting next year, Peco will begin selling electricity to residents at lower rates at night to encourage them to shift their usage to nonpeak hours, writes Andrew Maykuth for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Cheaper rates at off-peak hours will also be available for operators of shops and other commercial businesses.

The change from the current system that charges the same rates around the clock was approved last week by Pennsylvania regulators. The plan will be voluntary, giving customers the option to stay with their current flat-rate pricing.

The plan offered by Peco has three price tiers. The highest price would be applied Monday through Friday during peak hours, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The lowest prices would be available every day during “super off-peak” hours from midnight to 6 a.m. For the mornings and evenings, the middle rate will be applied.

The exact rates for the three tiers have not yet been set. The new charging system will go into effect in September 2021 and Peco is planning to have a collaborative meeting four months before, to give people the chance to comment on its outreach plans.

Read more about Peco’s plans at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.