BIG SAVINGS, Utility Bill: Time of Use (TOU)
Your hydro bill has three prices. Use power at the right time of day, and you pay way less. Here's how it works, in plain words.
Quick answer: Ontario gives you 3 prices for electricity. The cheapest is at night and on weekends. The most expensive is during the workday. If you wash clothes, run the dishwasher, or charge a car at the cheap times — you save a lot of money. The trick is knowing when each price is on.
What is "Time of Use"?
Time of Use (TOU) is the most common way Ontario charges for electricity. The price changes based on what time of day it is, and what season it is.
Think of it like a busy restaurant. At dinner time, it's full and prices are high. Late at night, it's empty and prices drop. Power works the same way. When everyone is using it, the price is high. When most people are asleep, the price is low.
The 3 prices (as of winter 2026)
The Ontario Energy Board sets the prices. Right now they are:
OEB Regulated Price Plan, winter 2025–2026.
On-Peak costs more than 2x Off-Peak. That's the gap you want to use.
When each price is on
The schedule flips between summer and winter. Here's the simple version.
Winter (November 1 – April 30)
- On-Peak (expensive): Weekdays 7am–11am and 5pm–7pm. People are getting ready for work and coming home for dinner.
- Mid-Peak (middle): Weekdays 11am–5pm.
- Off-Peak (cheap): Weekdays 7pm–7am. All weekends. All holidays.
Summer (May 1 – October 31)
- On-Peak (expensive): Weekdays 11am–5pm. Hot afternoons when air conditioners are running.
- Mid-Peak (middle): Weekdays 7am–11am and 5pm–7pm.
- Off-Peak (cheap): Weekdays 7pm–7am. All weekends. All holidays.
7 easy ways to save
1. Run the dishwasher after 7pm
Load it during the day. Push start after dinner. Same dishes, half the price.
2. Wash clothes on weekends
Saturday and Sunday are off-peak all day. Save laundry for then. Same with the dryer.
3. Charge your electric car overnight
Plug it in when you go to bed. By morning it's full, and you paid the cheap price the whole time.
4. Pre-cool or pre-heat the house
In summer, cool the house down by 6pm. Then nudge the thermostat up during On-Peak. The house stays comfortable while the AC takes a break.
In winter, heat the house just before 5pm. Then drop the thermostat 1–2°C during the evening On-Peak window.
5. Get a programmable thermostat
Set it once. It does the work every day. A basic one costs $40. A smart one (Nest, ecobee) pays for itself fast.
6. Unplug "phantom" power
TVs, game consoles, coffee makers, and chargers all use a small amount of power even when off. Use a power bar with a switch. Flip it off when you leave for work.
7. Swap to LED bulbs
LEDs use about 80% less power than old bulbs. They last for years. The cost shows up on every bill.
Should you switch to ULO?
ULO stands for "Ultra-Low Overnight." It's a different price plan you can choose. It has 3 prices too, but the cheapest time is even cheaper — and only at night (11pm–7am).
It's a great deal if you charge an electric car overnight, run a hot tub overnight, or do most of your laundry between 11pm and 7am. Otherwise, the regular On-Peak rate on ULO is higher than regular TOU, and you can end up paying more.
The short version: EV owners should look at ULO. Everyone else should stick with TOU.
Quick math example
Let's say you run your dryer 3 times a week. Each cycle uses 3 kWh. That's 9 kWh per week.
- Drying during On-Peak: 9 × 20.3¢ = $1.83 per week
- Drying during Off-Peak: 9 × 9.8¢ = $0.88 per week
- You save about $50 per year on the dryer alone, just by waiting until after 7pm.
Now do that with the dishwasher, the laundry, the EV, and the AC pre-cool. Real savings show up in 1–2 months.
Prices shown are Ontario Energy Board RPP TOU rates as of November 1, 2025 (winter period). Rates change every May 1 and November 1. Check your provider's website for the latest. The OEB sets the price; your local provider (Toronto Hydro, Hydro One, etc.) bills you. This article is general information, not financial advice.