Your Electricity Rates

Rates

Understanding when and how you consume energy can make a big impact on your energy bill. Learn how changing your consumption habits can help you save.

Types of Electricity Rates

For residential and small business customers that buy electricity from their utility, there are two different types of rates: Time of Use (TOU) and Tiered. You can find explanations on how these rates work and rates of each type below.

Time of Use (TOU)

If you are a customer with Time of Use pricing, your bill will break down electricity usage into the three periods set by the Ontario Energy Board. These periods are on-peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. The three-time periods typically change twice a year on May 1st and November 1st. The electricity that is used on weekends and holidays is charged at the off-peak price all year long.

Time of Use Graphs
TOU Price Periods
Winter (Nov1 - Apr 30)
Summer (May 1 - Oct 31)
TOU Prices (¢/kWh)
Off-Peak
Weekdays 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Weekends and holidays all day
Weekdays 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Weekends and holidays all day
8.7
Mid-Peak
Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekdays 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
12.2
On-Peak
Weekdays 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
18.2

TOU Prices reflect the current winter rates (Nov 1 – Apr 30)

Tiered

With Tiered prices, you can use a certain amount of electricity each month at a lower price. Once that limit (called a threshold) is exceeded, a higher price applies. The threshold changes with the season to reflect changing usage patterns – for example, there are fewer hours of daylight in the winter and some customers use electric heating. 

Bar chart of Ontario tiered pricing
Tier Thresholds Winter (Nov. 1 - Apr. 30) Summer(May 1 - Oct. 31) Tiered Rates (¢/kWh)
Tier 1 Residential – first 1,000 kWh/month

Non-residential – first 750 kWh/month
Residential – first 600 kWh/month

Non-residential – first 750 kWh/month
10.3
Tier 2 Residential – for electricity used above 1,000 kWh/month.

Non-residential – for electricity used above 750 kWh/month
Residential – for electricity used above 600 kWh/month

Non-residential – for electricity used above 750 kWh/month
12.5

The Tiered Rates reflect the current winter season (Nov 1 – Apr 30)

Time of Use (TOU)

If you are a customer with Time of Use pricing, your bill will break down electricity usage into the three periods set by the Ontario Energy Board. These periods are on-peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. The three-time periods typically change twice a year on May 1st and November 1st. The electricity that is used on weekends and holidays is charged at the off-peak price all year long.

Chart of Ontario off-peak, mid-peak, and on-peak hours
TOU Price Periods
Winter (Nov1 - Apr 30)
Summer (May 1 - Oct 31)
TOU Prices (¢/kWh)
Off-Peak
Weekdays 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Weekends and holidays all day
Weekdays 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Weekends and holidays all day
7.4
Mid-Peak
Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekdays 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
10.2
On-Peak
Weekdays 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
15.1

Tiered

With Tiered prices, you can use a certain amount of electricity each month at a lower price. Once that limit (called a threshold) is exceeded, a higher price applies. The threshold changes with the season to reflect changing usage patterns – for example, there are fewer hours of daylight in the winter and some customers use electric heating. 

 
Bar chart of Ontario tiered pricing
TOU Price Periods
Winter (Nov1 - Apr 30)
Summer (May 1 - Oct 31)
TOU Prices (¢/kWh)
Off-Peak
Weekdays 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Weekends and holidays all day
Weekdays 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Weekends and holidays all day
7.4
Mid-Peak
Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekdays 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
10.2
On-Peak
Weekdays 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
15.1

For Information on Pricing: