Smart Usage Rate Online Enrollment Site

SMART USAGE RATE

IMPORTANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By choosing to participate in the residential Smart Usage rate plan, you agree to pay the monthly Smart Usage charges for electric service to the service address associated with the account number used in online enrollment for at least twelve months, beginning with the first bill rendered on the Smart Usage rate.
These Smart Usage terms apply only for electric service to the designated account(s) and address. If you transfer service to another address, you will need to reapply for the Smart Usage rate.
Your Smart Usage offer does not include fuel, taxes, and other charges, nor does it include Georgia Power security lights, or other Georgia Power products and services should you have any.
Georgia Power offers the Smart Usage rate plan pursuant to the current residential rate filing, which is on file with the Georgia Public Service Commission.
This rate is not available to customers currently billed on Georgia Power's Flatbill® program.
Enrollment in Georgia Power’s Smart Usage rate provides one Nest Learning Thermostat per service address. A customer is not required to participate in the Nest offer and may sign up for the Smart Usage rate without a Nest.
Georgia Power reserves the right to discontinue the Nest promotion at any time without notice.
Georgia Power is not responsible for the installation or performance of the Nest Thermostat.
By electing to receive the free Nest Learning Thermostat, you consent to Nest Labs, Inc. sharing with Georgia Power the date you have installed the Nest Learning Thermostat you received from Georgia Power.
Customers are required to install and register the thermostat at www.nest.com within 30 days of delivery of product at customer address. Failure to install and register within 30 days will result in a $249 charge on the customer’s next bill.
It is likely that a customer’s meter will be activated for the Smart Usage rate prior to the Nest being delivered to the customer address. GPC anticipates a customer will be on the rate within 7 days and the Nest will be delivered within approximately 2 weeks.
Georgia Power is not making, will not be providing and specifically disclaims any representations, warranties, covenants or guaranties whatsoever, express or implied, in connection with the Nest Learning Thermostat or other Nest equipment, including, without limitation, those regarding merchantability or fitness. Any warranties offered with respect to the Nest equipment are strictly manufacturer’s warranties, and customers receiving equipment shall not make, nor have the right to make, any claims against Georgia Power relating to any such warranties. Georgia Power shall in no way be liable or responsible for any Nest equipment installed by, or for any act or omission of, any other entity or individual, including, without limitation, any customer, any equipment manufacturer, any electrician, any technician, or any other service provider.
For further terms, conditions and information, see www.Georgiapower.com/SmartUsage and the additional web pages and documents to which links are provided on this webpage.

Smart Usage Rate Frequently Asked Questions

What is Demand and how does it relate to Energy?
- When speaking about electrical energy, there are two related, yet different, measurements: consumption (kilowatt hours, or kWh) and demand (kilowatts, or kW).
- Energy consumption is the total amount of electricity used over a specified period. Demand is the immediate rate of that consumption.
- Energy and demand are related like your car’s distance and speed. Measuring how far you have traveled is different than the speed you traveled.
- For example: Driving 2 hours at 60 miles per hour, you traveled 120 miles (miles = kWh) at 60 miles per hour (speed = kW).
How does the Smart Usage rate compare to the standard Residential rate?
- The residential rate only measures and charges for the energy used (consumption).
- The Smart Usage rate charges a lower rate for energy and adds a new demand component.
What is the difference between the Smart Usage rate and Nights and Weekends?
Both pricing plans encourage customers to shift energy usage away from the on-peak time periods (2-7p.m., Monday-Friday, June-September, excluding holidays). The on-peak and off-peak rates are less for the Smart Usage rate because of the addition of the demand component. Georgia Power encourages you to visit the Residential Rate Advisor tool at www.georgiapower.com/residential/rate-plans/home to learn more.
What is my demand?
Household demands vary. The average Georgia home uses approximately 8 kW of maximum demand per month. Of course, your household's demand could be larger or smaller than the average. The size of your home, number of air conditioning units, and the fuel type of your furnace will have the largest impact on your maximum demand. If you stagger the use of some large appliances you can manage and potentially reduce your demand.
Will I save money on this rate?
- Unfortunately, we are not able to predict whether an individual customer would save money on the Smart Usage rate. We can tell you that the pricing plan can help customers who are able to avoid simultaneous use of clothes dryer and cooking appliances. An additional way to save is to shift other energy usage, such as air conditioning, from peak hours (2 PM to 7 PM, weekdays excluding holidays, June through September) to off-peak hours.
- A calculator is available to help you determine if you can save money. Launch the calculator, answer some questions and learn how to save!
Is it possible to have a higher bill?
Yes, it is possible, if you are unable to avoid staggering the usage of higher-demand appliances or if much of your energy usage is during on-peak hours. Please use the link to the calculator provided above to help determine this. You can also refer to the table of electric appliances at www.georgiapower.com/residential/rate-plans/residential-demand to see what appliances use more demand than others. Remember, the fewer you use at the same time, the more money you could save.
Is there somewhere I can compare the rates?
- Yes. Follow this link to see the standard residential rate (R): www.georgiapower.com/docs/rate-schedules/residential-rates/2.10_r-21.pdf
- And this link to see the Smart Usage rate (TOU-RD): Smart Usage: www.georgiapower.com/docs/rate-schedules/residential-rates/2.40_tou-rd-2.pdf
Are there other pricing plan options?
Yes, we offer several pricing plans to choose from to meet your energy needs. To see your choices please visit www.georgiapower.com/residential/rate-plans/home.
Why is Georgia Power offering this rate?
With advancements in Smart Metering technology (more can be seen at www.georgiapower.com/residential/understanding-your-bill/smart-meter, the Company can now measure and bill residential customers for demand. This provides better price signals to you and gives you more ways to control your bill. These price signals encourage the most efficient utilization of Georgia Power's electrical system.
Can I be on Budget Bill and the Smart Usage pricing plan?
Yes, you can be on Budget Billing while on the Smart Usage plan. However, the account must bill one month on Smart Usage before Budget Billing can be established.
Do I have to go on this rate?
No. The Smart Usage pricing plan is an optional rate.
If I switch to the Smart Usage plan, how long do I have to stay on it?
You must commit to stay on Smart Usage pricing plan for at least twelve months.