Quick answer
It depends on when your home uses power. Time-of-use suits most homes, tiered pricing has one price at any hour, and Ultra-Low Overnight rewards homes that can move a lot of use to 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., such as EV owners, but charges much more on weekday evenings.1
The three plans at a glance
Residential and small business customers in Ontario can choose among three regulated price plans set by the Ontario Energy Board.1
| Plan | Periods and prices |
|---|---|
| Time-of-use | Off-peak 9.8¢ · Mid-peak 15.7¢ · On-peak 20.3¢ per kWh |
| Tiered | 12.0¢ per kWh up to a monthly threshold (1,000 kWh in winter, 600 kWh in summer for homes), then 14.2¢ |
| Ultra-Low Overnight | 3.9¢ overnight (11 p.m.–7 a.m.) · 9.8¢ weekend off-peak · 15.7¢ mid-peak · 39.1¢ weekday on-peak (4–9 p.m.) |
Prices as listed by the Ontario Energy Board for rates effective November 1, 2025, before the Ontario Electricity Rebate, delivery and regulatory charges.12
Who each plan tends to suit
- Time-of-use works for most households with a typical daily pattern, and rewards shifting laundry and dishwashers to evenings and weekends.
- Tiered charges the same price at any hour, which can suit homes that use most of their power during weekday daytime and can't shift it.
- Ultra-Low Overnight can suit homes that charge an electric vehicle, run a battery or do heavy work overnight, but the 39.1¢ weekday 4–9 p.m. price punishes homes that use a lot of power in the early evening.1
How to decide
Your utility's online account usually shows your hourly usage. Look at how much power you use between 4 and 9 p.m. on weekdays compared with overnight. If a large share already falls overnight, or you can move it there with an EV timer or battery, Ultra-Low Overnight is worth pricing out. If not, time-of-use or tiered is usually the safer choice.
Tip: a heat pump, battery and smart thermostat can change which plan is cheapest for your home. We look at your time-of-use pattern as part of every free assessment.
Common follow-up questions
Can I switch between price plans?
Yes. Residential and small business customers can choose among time-of-use, tiered and Ultra-Low Overnight pricing through their local utility.
Do the prices include delivery charges?
No. The plan prices cover the electricity itself. Your bill also includes delivery, regulatory charges and HST, less the Ontario Electricity Rebate.
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Answers are general information as reported by the sources listed on the date shown, not personal financial or technical advice. Programs, prices and rules change. Canadian Energy Standard is an independent company, not affiliated with any government, utility or program named here.