Time-of-Use rates
TIme-of-Use (TOU) rates roll out is well underway. Many Enersource customers have shifted to time-of-use rates and some more are scheduled to do so in the coming months. We will notify you in advance of this happening to you. All residential customers will be on TOU by the end of May 2012.
You will be notified in advance of the implementation of time-of-use rates with the delivery of a brochure "Are you ready for time-of-use rates?" followed by an information package marked, "Important Notice About Your Electricity Rates."
With TOU rates, there will be three different prices for electricity:
- Highest price — 'On-Peak' (when electricity demand is highest)
- Medium price — 'Mid-Peak' (when demand is moderate)
- Lowest price — 'Off-Peak' (when demand is lowest)
These prices will vary according to the time of day, day of the week, and the season.
| DAY OF THE WEEK & TIME |
TIME |
PRICE PERIOD |
PRICE(¢/KWH) |
| Weekends & Holidays* |
(All day) |
Lowest price (Off-Peak) |
6.2 |
Summer Weekdays
(May 1 - Oct 31) |
7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
7 p.m. - 7 a.m. |
Mid price (Mid-Peak)
Highest price (On-Peak)
Mid price (Mid-Peak)
Lowest price (Off-Peak) |
9.2
10.8
9.2
6.2 |
Winter Weekdays
(Nov. 1 - April 30) |
7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
7 p.m. - 7 a.m. |
Highest price (On-Peak)
Mid price (Mid-Peak)
Highest price (On-Peak)
Lowest price (Off-Peak) |
10.8
9.2
10.8
6.2 |
*Holidays include: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday (August), Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. In the event that New Year's Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day fall on a weekend, the next business day will be considered a holiday. Ex. If December 25 falls on a Sunday, since Boxing Day is already a holiday, you would pay holiday pricing (off-peak) on December 27, as it is the next business day.
Why switch to TOU rates?
Smart meters and TOU rates are being put in place by the Ontario Government to encourage people to shift some of their electricity use to off-peak hours. This will help save energy. It also will help the environment because if peak use gets too high, Ontario will need to build more generators to meet those peaks.
TOU pricing also reflects the way the electricity market works: TOU prices increase and decrease at the same times that market prices increase and decrease; market prices are higher at certain times of the day and week when demand is high, and they drop overnight and on weekends when demand is low.
Here's how TOU rates work:
Summer rates: May 1 – October 31
In the summer there is one peak period. It's in the middle of the day between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. when air conditioner use it at its highest.
Winter rates: November 1 – April 30
In the winter there are two peak periods: in the morning, when lights, appliances and heating systems are turned on; and again in the evening, when people increase their energy use with appliances like stoves, dishwashers and TVs.
Weekend and holiday rates: All year
Electricity demand is low on weekends and holidays as well as overnight, so these are off-peak times with the lowest pricing.
You can learn more by reading our frequently asked questions
or by watching our video:
Want to see how shifting your energy use can make a difference? Visit 10 Smart Meter Lane to find the best ways to manage your energy costs with TOU pricing.