Rates & bills
How to Reduce Your Hydro Bill in Ontario: A 15-Step Checklist
How to reduce your hydro bill in Ontario: a 15-step checklist covering price plans, base load, big appliances and help programs, with savings estimates.
, 6 min read
Rates & bills
Ontario electricity prices
Regulated Price Plan (RPP) prices set by the Ontario Energy Board, effective November 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027. Most households can choose between three plans.
Last reviewed November 2, 2026
How we review content
Plan 1
Time-of-Use (TOU)
The default for most customers. Prices vary by time of day and season.
- Off-peak
- 9.1¢
- Mid-peak
- 14.6¢
- On-peak
- 18.9¢
Plan 2
Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO)
Very cheap overnight power, very expensive weekday evenings. Popular with EV owners.
- Ultra-low overnight
- 3.7¢
- Weekend off-peak
- 9.1¢
- Mid-peak
- 14.6¢
- On-peak
- 37.7¢
Plan 3
Tiered
One price up to a monthly threshold, a higher price above it — no matter the time.
- Tier 1
- 11.2¢
- Tier 2
- 13.2¢
Threshold: 1,000 kWh/month in winter (Nov–Apr), 600 kWh in summer (May–Oct).
All prices in cents per kWh, commodity only. Prices apply to Regulated Price Plan customers; customers with a retail energy contract pay their contract price.
When prices apply
A day at a glance
Weekdays. On weekends and statutory holidays, TOU is off-peak all day; ULO is weekend off-peak from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and ultra-low overnight.
TOU — winter weekday (Nov 1 – Apr 30)
TOU — summer weekday (May 1 – Oct 31)
ULO — weekday (year-round)
12 a.m.6 a.m.12 p.m.6 p.m.11 p.m.
Ultra-low overnight Off-peak Mid-peak On-peak
TOU winter
| On-peak | 7 a.m.–11 a.m. and 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | 18.9¢ |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-peak | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 14.6¢ |
| Off-peak | 7 p.m.–7 a.m. | 9.1¢ |
TOU summer
| On-peak | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 18.9¢ |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-peak | 7 a.m.–11 a.m. and 5 p.m.–7 p.m. | 14.6¢ |
| Off-peak | 7 p.m.–7 a.m. | 9.1¢ |
ULO (all year)
| Ultra-low overnight | 11 p.m.–7 a.m., every day | 3.7¢ |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend off-peak | 7 a.m.–11 p.m., weekends and holidays | 9.1¢ |
| Mid-peak | 7 a.m.–4 p.m. and 9 p.m.–11 p.m., weekdays | 14.6¢ |
| On-peak | 4 p.m.–9 p.m., weekdays | 37.7¢ |
Choosing a plan
Which plan is cheapest?
- Ultra-Low Overnight tends to win if you can shift a lot of use — especially EV charging, laundry, dishwashing or a timed water heater — to 11 p.m.–7 a.m., and keep weekday 4–9 p.m. use low. At 37.7¢, a careless evening can erase the overnight savings.
- Tiered often suits households that are home all day and use moderate amounts, because daytime TOU prices don't apply.
- Time-of-Use is a solid middle ground for typical commuter households with a fair amount of evening and weekend use.
You can switch plans by contacting your local utility. Changes usually take effect within one or two billing cycles.
Ontario Electricity Rebate: 15.7%
The OER is a credit shown on your bill that reduces your pre-tax total. It changed from 23.5% to 15.7% on November 1, 2026, so many bills will rise even where commodity prices barely moved. What changed
The commodity is only part of your bill
Delivery charges (set by your local utility and approved by the OEB), regulatory charges and HST are added. Delivery often costs as much as the electricity itself, especially in rural areas. Read your bill line by line
Need help paying?
The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) provides monthly bill credits for lower-income households. LEAP offers emergency help. See programs
When do Ontario electricity prices change?
The Ontario Energy Board reviews Regulated Price Plan prices each year, with new prices typically taking effect November 1. Prices can also be adjusted at other times. The Ontario Electricity Rebate percentage can change at the same time.
Does the Ultra-Low Overnight plan apply on weekends?
Yes. ULO overnight pricing (3.7¢) applies 11 p.m.–7 a.m. every day. On weekends and holidays, 7 a.m.–11 p.m. is weekend off-peak (9.1¢). There is no on-peak period on weekends.
I signed a contract with an energy retailer. Do these prices apply to me?
No. Customers with a retail contract pay the contract price plus a Global Adjustment charge instead of RPP prices. Retail contracts often cost more than RPP over time. Your contract and cancellation rights are described in the Energy Consumer Protection Act.
Which statutory holidays count as off-peak?
New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are treated like weekends for TOU and ULO pricing.
Learn more
Understanding your bills
Rates & billsUpdate
Best Time to Run the Dishwasher and Laundry in Ontario (TOU and ULO)
Best time to run the dishwasher and laundry in Ontario: weekdays after 7 p.m., before 7 a.m. or weekends on TOU; after 11 p.m. on ULO. See the per-load math.
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Average Hydro Bill in Ontario (2026): What a Typical Home Pays
The average hydro bill in Ontario is roughly $100–$130 a month for a 700 kWh home in late 2026. See the math by line item, home type and how to lower yours.
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