Time-of-Use / Peak-Load Appliances
Major appliances support time-of-use scheduling and/or peak-load avoidance.
Spec
Applies uniformly from Platinum upward.
Scope
Major-load appliances: HVAC, water heater, EV charger, electric dryer, dishwasher, and (where present) battery storage system.
Requirements
- 01.
At least the major-load appliances above (where installed) must support time-of-use scheduling, demand response, or peak-load avoidance — via smart-appliance controls, smart-home hub, or utility demand-response program.
- 02.
Where the local utility offers TOU rates, the project must be enrolled in a TOU rate plan.
Documentation
Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.
- 01.
Inventory of installed smart appliances with model numbers, listing the demand-response or scheduling capability of each (e.g. CTA-2045 compliant water heater, ENERGY STAR Connected dryer, ChargePoint EV charger with TOU scheduling).
- 02.
Confirmation of utility TOU rate enrollment (utility statement or screenshot).
- 03.
Photo or screenshot showing scheduling configured in the smart-home hub.
Guidance
Why this matters at Platinum
A home that consumes the same kWh as the grid average but shifts those kWh off-peak avoids 30-60% of the carbon intensity of grid power (peak hours = dirtiest marginal generation in most U.S. markets). It also unlocks 10-40% savings on the utility bill under TOU rates. Without smart appliances, this is impractical to achieve manually.
Resources
- CTA-2045 — Modular Communication Interface for Energy Management
The open standard for utility-controllable appliances. Most newer HPWHs and EV chargers support it.
- ENERGY STAR Connected Products →
Searchable list of appliances with verified smart-connectivity features.