Similar to TOU rates, with ULO, the price depends on when you use electricity.
ULO has an additional price period, a different set of rates and offers an ultra-low overnight rate in exchange for a higher on-peak rate.
This plan is in large part intended to incent Regulated Price Plan (RPP) customers to use electricity during periods of low demand (ultra-low overnight and weekend off-peak) and shift away from on-peak hours when electricity is expensive and in high demand. This will in turn, reduce the strain on the power grid, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (fossil-fuel is more commonly used during on-peak) and reduce the need to build new generation and other infrastructure.
If you are able to shift a significant portion of your energy use away from on-peak hours and onto the low-demand periods when electricity is less expensive it could help you find savings on your bill.
There are four ULO periods: Ultra-low overnight when demand for electricity is lowest on average. The weekend is off-peak when demand for electricity is generally lower. The mid-peak is when the demand for electricity is moderate and the on-peak is when the demand for electricity is highest.
ULO price periods are the same in the summer as they are in the winter. On weekends and holidays, the cheapest rates are in effect all day. View the Holiday schedule for time-of-use and ultra-low overnight.
This means:
- For time-of-use - Off-Peak
- For ultra-low overnight - Weekend off-peak and ultra-low overnight
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) determines time-of-use (TOU) rates at the same time as it sets tiered rates. ULO rates were first set for May 1, 2023.
The OEB sets RPP prices based on its forecast of the cost to supply households and small businesses over the next 12 months. The next rate adjustment is scheduled to take place on November 1, 2023.
Your electricity bill includes the costs for the electricity that you use , the services your local utility provides, and other costs of delivering electricity. Other charges may also appear on your bill related to your account.
Effective May 1, 2023, ULO customers are charged:
NOTE: ULO rates provided for information purposes only - ULO rate plan available to Hydro Ottawa customers by November 1, 2023.
| ULO price periods | All year | ULO Prices |
|---|---|---|
Ultra-low overnight | Everyday 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. | 2.4 ¢/kWh |
Weekend off-peak | Weekends and holidays 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | 7.4 ¢/kWh |
Mid-peak | Weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. | 10.2 ¢/kWh |
On-peak | Weekdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. | 24 ¢/kWh |
Weekends and holidays
On weekends and holidays the cheapest rates are in effect all day. View the Holiday schedule for time-of-use and ultra-low overnight.
This means:
- For time-of-use - Off-Peak
- For ultra-low overnight - Weekend off-peak and ultra-low overnight
Note: If a holiday falls on a weekend, the next weekday (that is not also a holiday) will have the holiday prices in effect all day.
Easter Monday is not a holiday recognized by the OEB for the purposes of calculating electricity consumption at weekend off-peak and ultra-low overnight pricing, and therefore regular ULO prices apply on this day.