HomeWattCost

Dominion Energy SC Rate 8 vs Rate 5

For a typical South Carolina home using 1,070 kWh a month, Rate 8 is cheaper by about $149 a year ($184 against $196 a month). Rate 8 is cheaper at every level of use from 200 to 2,500 kWh a month, with the same daily pattern of use.

Utility Dominion Energy SCTariffs checked 2026-09-28Typical use 1,070 kWh/mo, South Carolina

Head to head

ScenarioRate 8Rate 5Cheaper
Typical home, per month$184$196Rate 8
All-in price per kWh17.2¢18.4¢Rate 8
Home + EV, charged at the cheapest hour$228$223Rate 5
Home + EV, plugged in at 6 pm$228$255Rate 8
Fixed charge$12.01$14.01

Typical home: South Carolina average use by month (EIA), shaped hour by hour (NREL ResStock), before taxes. EV: Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, 1,000 miles a month; cheapest start any hour on Rate 8, 1 am on Rate 5.

Month by month

Typical-home bill each month on each plan.

PlanJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rate 8$213$190$142$134$159$208$261$250$177$143$142$188
Rate 5$222$195$147$135$183$233$286$276$199$140$146$195

Rate 8: price by hour

July weekday.

Same price all day
17.4¢12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p12a

Rate 5: price by hour

July weekday.

Off-peakMid-peakPeak
15.1¢9.6¢15.1¢29.9¢15.1¢12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p12a

Rate 8 or Rate 5: common questions

Is Rate 8 or Rate 5 cheaper?

For a typical South Carolina home using 1,070 kWh a month, Rate 8 is cheaper by about $149 a year ($184 against $196 a month). Rate 8 is cheaper at every level of use from 200 to 2,500 kWh a month, with the same daily pattern of use. Adding an EV driven 1,000 miles a month and charged at each plan’s cheapest hour, Rate 5 gives the lower total ($223 against $228 a month).

What is the difference between Rate 8 and Rate 5?

Rate 8 is tiered: the price per kWh rises with monthly use, with a fixed charge of $12.01 a month. Rate 5 is time-of-use (summer weekdays: Mid-peak 12 am–1 am, Mid-peak 5 am–4 pm, Peak 4 pm–8 pm, Mid-peak 8 pm–12 am; lowest price 1 am–5 am), with a fixed charge of $14.01 a month.

How the two plans work

Rate 8: Residential Service

  • In July the first 800 kWh a month cost 15.9¢ each; then 17.4¢ above 800 kWh a month.
  • An average South Carolina home (1,499 kWh in July) goes past the first tier, so extra load such as an EV is priced higher.
  • Fixed charge: $12.01 a month.

Rate 5: Residential Time-of-Use

  • Mid-peak 12 am–1 am, Mid-peak 5 am–4 pm, Peak 4 pm–8 pm, Mid-peak 8 pm–12 am on July weekdays; 4 of 24 hours carry the top price of 29.9¢.
  • The cheapest July weekday hour costs 9.6¢, so moving 1 kWh out of the top hours saves 20.3¢.
  • January weekdays range from 9.6¢ to 29.9¢.
  • Summer pricing applies May–Sep; winter pricing Oct–Apr.
  • Fixed charge: $14.01 a month.

Your own pattern of use decides the winner: compare every Dominion Energy SC plan on your usage, or see all Dominion Energy SC plans, sources and peak hours.