Understanding Your Meter Read Date & Why It’s Important
Knowing when your irrigation meter is read can help you better manage your power bill and make informed decisions about when and how you operate your pumps. Your automated meter records two key measurements for each billing month: the total volume of energy used (kilowatt-hours, or kWh) and the average highest level of demand in a 15-minute period reached at any point during the month (kilowatts, or kW). That highest average 15-minute demand becomes your demand charge during irrigation season.
For all Idaho irrigation customers, in-season rates begin at 12:00 a.m. on June 1 and continue through September 30. Out-of-season rates begin at 12:00 a.m. on October 1 and run through May 31.
Irrigation Billing Changes Beginning in 2026 for Idaho Irrigation Customers
From March through May 2026, Idaho Power will move all Idaho irrigation customers (Schedule 24 and 84) to a standardized calendar-month billing period. In the past, irrigation meters were read on varying cycle dates that could shift slightly from year to year. We heard from customers that this created confusion and made it difficult to track demand and month-to-month costs. In response to that feedback, Idaho Power worked with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to transition irrigation customers to a consistent calendar billing schedule.
Irrigation usage and demand charges will be billed from 12:00 a.m. on the first day of each month through 11:59 p.m. on the last day of that same month. Bills will be issued the month after usage occurs. For example, all energy use and demand recorded during the month of June will appear on a bill sent in July.
One-Time Transition to Calendar Billing in Spring 2026
To move all Idaho irrigation customers to the same calendar billing schedule, Idaho Power will transition irrigation customer accounts March through May 2026.
Because customers are currently on different billing cycles, some accounts may have a shortened billing period on their April or May bills. Customers whose meter was previously on billing cycles 5 through 21 may receive a bill that includes fewer days than a typical 30-day cycle. Prior to June 2026, all irrigation customers will be billed on a standard calendar-month cycle.
This one-time adjustment ensures that starting June 1, all accounts follow the same billing timeline moving forward.
If you have specific questions about your own billing cycle, please contact your Idaho Power Agricultural Representative or Customer Service.
In-Season and Out-of-Season Rates – Idaho Customers
In-season rates will begin at 12:00 a.m. on June 1 and end at 11:59 p.m. on September 30. During this period, irrigation accounts include both an energy charge (kilowatt-hours, or kWh) and a demand charge (kilowatts, or kW).
Out-of-season rates begin at 12:00 a.m. on October 1 and continue through May 31. Out-of-season bills do not include a demand charge.
In-Season and Out-of-Season Rates – Oregon Customers
All Oregon irrigation customers (Rate Schedule 24 and 84) will not transition to calendar billing and will remain on a billing cycle schedule. The in-season rates begin with the customer’s meter reading for the May billing cycle and end with the customer’s meter reading for the September billing cycle. Read dates are determined by that service point’s billing cycle and can vary from year to year. For the 2026 Oregon Irrigation Demand In-Season Card, click here.
Why does Idaho Power have a demand (kW) charge?
Demand charges collect a portion of the fixed cost required to serve the size of the connected irrigation load. Because irrigation pumps often operate during periods of high summer demand, the electric system must be built to reliably meet those peak conditions. Demand charges help fairly allocate the cost of building and maintaining that infrastructure.
Managing pump size, operating schedules, and overall system efficiency can help improve load factor and reduce the impact of demand charges. Please visit Irrigation Efficiency Rewards to learn more about incentive programs or contact your local Ag Rep at Agriculture Representatives – Idaho Power to evaluate your system and help identify efficiency opportunities.
On-Site Generation Customers In- and Out-of-Season
Idaho and Oregon Rate Schedule 84, Net Billing Customers
On-site generation tariffs provide Idaho Power customers with on-site generation the ability to offset some or all of their energy needs. Effective June 1, 2026, Rate Schedule 84, and Net billing customers will have their meter read at the same time as schedule 24. There will no longer be a 24-hour delay for Net Billing Customers. For more information on Legacy vs Non-Legacy Systems, visit idahopower.com/customergeneration.
Additional Resources
- Current Rates for Idaho Customers
- Current Rates for Oregon Customers
- Information on how to understand your bill
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