Ontario electricity guide

Time-of-Use vs Tiered Pricing (Ontario)

Reviewed July 22, 2026 · Written by David R. Hallowick

Ontario residential and eligible small-business customers can generally choose among Time-of-Use (TOU), Tiered and Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) pricing. The best comparison depends on both total usage and when that usage occurs.

Current OEB price defaults

Plan periodPrice effective November 1, 2025
TOU off-peak9.8¢/kWh
TOU mid-peak15.7¢/kWh
TOU on-peak20.3¢/kWh
ULO ultra-low overnight3.9¢/kWh
ULO weekend off-peak9.8¢/kWh
ULO mid-peak15.7¢/kWh
ULO on-peak39.1¢/kWh
Tier 112.0¢/kWh
Tier 214.2¢/kWh

Rates can change. The calculator pages leave all rates editable.

How to compare plans properly

Use several recent bills or interval data. TOU and ULO require a realistic split of consumption by time period. Tiered requires the correct seasonal threshold: 600 kWh for residential customers in summer and 1,000 kWh in winter; the small-business threshold is 750 kWh year-round.

What does not change when you switch

Changing the electricity price plan does not automatically remove delivery, regulatory, tax or account charges. That is why a modest difference in the electricity portion may produce a smaller difference in the final bill.

Use official information for current decisions. Electricity prices, utility delivery charges and assistance programs can change. Check the Ontario Energy Board electricity-rates page, the OEB bill calculator, and your local distributor.