Cheaper times to use electricity in Ontario will soon change
Published March 20, 2025 at 3:18 pm
While we are now officially in spring, winter time-of-use pricing for Ontario electricity customers remains for the time being. However, that will change in a few weeks as the summer time periods kick in.

by Tony Slavin

Time-of-Use Pricing Options
Time-of-Use
Prices change depending on when power is used throughout the day
Ultra-Low Overnight
Special rates for overnight electricity usage
Tiered Plan
Costs depend on how much electricity is used overall in a month
Most electricity customers in Ontario have three options for billing: time-of-use and ultra-low overnight, with prices changing depending on when power is used; customers can also choose a tiered plan, with costs depending on how much electricity is used overall in a month.
Most customers in Ontario pay time-of-use rates.
Seasonal Rate Periods
1
Winter Period
November 1 to April 30
2
Summer Period
May 1 to October 31
"Summer rates differ from winter rates to reflect different consumption patterns," Ontario Energy Board spokesperson Mary Ellen Beninger previously told INsauga.com.
From Nov. 1 to April 30, winter price periods are in effect and from May 1 to Oct. 31, the summer times are in place.
Seasonal Consumption Patterns
Summer Peak Usage
"In summer (May 1 to Oct. 31), electricity usage peaks during the hottest part of the afternoon when air conditioners are running on high. As a result, on-peak hours are mid-day."
Winter Peak Usage
"In winter (Nov. 1 to April 30), less daylight means electricity use peaks twice – once in the morning when people wake up and turn on their lights and appliances, then again when people get home from work. As a result, there are two sets of on-peak hours during the winter season."
Summer Time-of-Use Hours Starting May 1

Off-Peak Hours
7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Mid-Peak Morning
7 a.m. until 11 a.m.

On-Peak Hours
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mid-Peak Evening
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Off-peak hours will be from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., which is the same as the winter period, but mid-peak will be from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m., as well as 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. On-peak hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On weekends and holidays, off-peak rates apply all day.
Time-of-Use Electricity Rates
7.6¢
Off-Peak Rate
Per kilowatt hour
12.2¢
Mid-Peak Rate
Per kilowatt hour
15.8¢
On-Peak Rate
Per kilowatt hour
The rates, which were set by the OEB last fall, will remain the same:
Off-peak: 7.6 ¢/kWh
Mid-peak: 12.2 ¢/kWh
On-peak: 15.8 ¢/kWh
Tiered Rate Changes Coming May 1

Higher Tier Rate
11.0 ¢/kWh above threshold
Lower Tier Rate
9.3 ¢/kWh up to threshold
Seasonal Thresholds
Winter: 1,000 kWh | Summer: 600 kWh
Residential tiered rates will also change come May 1. Tiered rates allow customers to use a certain amount of electricity at a particular price up to a certain threshold. Beyond that threshold, the rate changes.
"In the winter period (Nov. 1 – April 30), the tier threshold for residential customers is 1,000 kWh, so that during the heating season households can use more power at the lower price. In the summer period (May 1 – Oct. 31), the tier threshold for residential customers is 600 kWh," the OEB says.
The rates, however, will remain the same:
First 600 kWh/month: 9.3 ¢/kWh
Above 600 kWh/month: 11 ¢/kWh
Ultra-Low Overnight Pricing
Ultra-Low Overnight
2.4 ¢/kWh from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Mid-Peak
10.2 ¢/kWh from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On-Peak
24.0 ¢/kWh from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
And lastly, ultra-low overnight pricing remains the same all year and there won't be any change come May 1.
To see cheaper times to currently use electricity, click here.
Retailer Electricity Options
Retailer Contracts
Less than one in 10 customers in Ontario buy their electricity directly from a retailer
Contract Pricing
"If you're thinking about signing an energy contract, you will pay the price in the contract, which is not regulated by the Ontario Energy Board"
Consider Options
Compare retailer contracts with OEB regulated rates before making a decision
The OEB says less than one in 10 customers in Ontario buy their electricity directly from a retailer.
"If you're thinking about signing an energy contract, you will pay the price in the contract, which is not regulated by the Ontario Energy Board," the board notes.
Resources for Ontario Electricity Customers
The Ontario Energy Board provides resources to help consumers understand their electricity pricing options. Customers can watch informational videos like "Choosing your electricity price plan" on the OEB's YouTube channel.
For more information on electricity rates and holiday schedules for time-of-use pricing, visit the OEB website.