Time-of-use

Prices effective November 1, 2022

With Time-of-Use (TOU) prices, customers pay prices that generally reflect the relative value of electricity supply at different times of the day. There are three TOU periods – on-peak, mid-peak and off-peak. Prices are highest during on-peak, lower during mid-peak, and lowest during off-peak. TOU prices encourage households and small businesses to use electricity during lower-cost time periods.

TOU prices are set to be cheapest when demand is lower: during the evenings, on weekends, and on holidays. When demand is lower, most of the electricity we use comes from power sources such as nuclear generators and large hydroelectric stations. These sources, which are designed to run all of the time, are referred to as “baseload” power.

As daytime begins, more people and businesses turn on their lights, appliances, and devices. As the increased demand exhausts all available baseload power, the province turns to sources that generally cost more, such as natural gas-fired plants that can be called into action quickly to meet rising demand. Renewable sources, such as solar and wind, contribute to our supply needs when they are available.

TOU price periods are different in the summer than they are in the winter.

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) determines time-of-use (TOU) rates at the same time as it sets tiered rates.

The OEB sets TOU and tiered 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 November 1, 2023.

Your electricity bill includes the costs for the electricity that you use (billed at TOU rates), the services your local utility provides, and other costs of delivering electricity. Other charges may also appear on your bill related to your account.

Winter Weekdays (November 1 to April 30)

• Off-Peak (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day weekends and holidays)
• Mid-Peak (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• On-Peak (7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Summer Weekdays (May 1 to October 31)

During the summer, people use electricity more during the hottest part of the day, when air conditioners are running on high.

• Off-Peak (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day weekends and holidays)
• Mid-Peak (7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
• On-Peak (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)