Time of Use
Currently: On-Peak
When electricity is at peak demand (like it is now) conserving or postponing consumption until off-peak hours is a good idea. This lightens the load on the provincial grid and saves you money.
Currently: Mid-Peak
Demand on the provincial grid is lower than at its peak but still considered high. If you can, try to postpone using high consumption devices until off-peak hours.
Currently: Off-Peak
Now is the ideal time to use electricity. Prices and demand on the provincial grid are at their lowest.
Virtually all Hydro Ottawa customers are billed on time-of-use rates. With this new rate structure, the price of electricity varies depending on when it is used. There are three different rate periods:
- On-peak (when demand for electricity is highest);
- Mid-peak (when demand for electricity is moderate); and
- Off-peak (when demand for electricity is lowest).
Smart Meters and Time-of-Use rates are an initiative of the provincial government to promote conservation and reduce peak demand for electricity.
Peak demand happens when we all use electricity at the same time. Unlike most commodities, electricity cannot be stored and must be generated in real time to meet Ontario's needs.
Reducing peak demand is good for the environment because the power plants used to meet peak demand are usually fossil-fuel generating stations. Using them less will mean less greenhouse gases and in the long run, it will also save money. It's expensive to build and maintain power plants that only operate during peak periods.
With Time-of-Use rates, the price of electricity varies depending on when it is used.
The rate periods are different in the summer and winter months. With Time-of-Use rates, there is a financial incentive for you to conserve energy and to shift some consumption away from on-peak periods.
| Summer Weekdays | Winter Weekdays | Weekends & Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| May 1st to Oct 31st | Nov 1st to Apr 30th | Holiday Schedule |
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| The highest energy prices occur over the afternoon, when air-conditioning use is greatest. | There are two peak periods during the winter months: in the early morning and in the evening. During these times, increased space heating, lighting and appliance use is common. | These periods are all off-peak, both summer and winter. |
| Off-Peak: 6.7 cents/kWh | Mid-Peak: 10.4 cents/kWh | On-Peak: 12.4 cents/kWh |
