Short answer
Tiered usually suits households that use power evenly through the day, Time-of-Use suits people who already use most power evenings and weekends, and Ultra-Low Overnight rewards homes that can shift big loads like EV charging to the night. Prices reset every November 1, so check your own hourly data before you switch.
Key takeaways
- Ontario residential customers can choose Time-of-Use, Tiered or Ultra-Low Overnight pricing.
- Ultra-Low Overnight has the cheapest overnight price and the most expensive weekday afternoon peak.
- Tiered pricing ignores the time of day and charges more only after a monthly threshold.
- Homes with an EV or other shiftable overnight loads often save the most on Ultra-Low Overnight.
- Prices change each November 1, so re-check your choice every year.
Ontario lets most residential customers pick one of three electricity price plans: Time-of-Use (TOU), Tiered, or Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO). Choosing the right one depends on when you use power, far more than how much. The plans only change the energy portion of your bill. Delivery and regulatory charges stay the same whichever you pick.
The short answer for most homes is simple. If your usage is spread evenly across the day, Tiered often comes out ahead. If you already use most of your power on evenings and weekends, TOU is a solid default. If you charge an electric vehicle at home or can run big loads overnight, ULO frequently saves the most. The Ontario Energy Board sets the prices and resets them every November 1, so this guide focuses on who wins on each plan and leaves the exact cents to the OEB.
How each Ontario electricity price plan works
Time-of-Use (TOU)
TOU is the default plan for most customers. Weekdays have three periods: off-peak overnight, mid-peak, and on-peak. In winter the on-peak periods fall in the morning and early evening. In summer the on-peak period moves to the afternoon. Weekends and statutory holidays are off-peak all day.
Tiered
Tiered pricing charges one rate for every kWh up to a monthly threshold and a higher rate above it. The time of day does not matter. The threshold is higher in winter than in summer, which helps homes with electric heat.
Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO)
ULO has four periods. A very low ultra-low overnight rate applies late at night. A weekday on-peak period in the late afternoon and early evening carries the highest price of any plan. The rest of the time falls into mid-peak or a weekend off-peak rate.
| Plan | What sets your price | Usually wins for | Usually loses for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time-of-Use | Time of day, weekday vs weekend | People away on weekdays who use power evenings and weekends | Homes with heavy weekday daytime use |
| Tiered | Total kWh per month | People home all day, small users, many electric-heat homes | Very large users above the threshold |
| Ultra-Low Overnight | Time of day, with a deep overnight discount | EV owners, night-shift workers, homes with batteries or timers | Homes that cook, heat and do laundry on weekday late afternoons |
Who wins on each plan
Tiered is often best if you are home during the day
Retirees, remote workers and families with young children tend to use a lot of power on weekday mornings and afternoons. Under TOU or ULO, much of that use lands in mid-peak or on-peak hours. Tiered charges the same rate at noon as at midnight, so daytime use is not penalized. Smaller homes that stay under the monthly threshold most months also do well here.
TOU suits a classic commuter household
If everyone leaves for work or school on weekdays and most of your use falls after 7 p.m. and on weekends, TOU puts a large share of your kWh into off-peak pricing. Many households land here without trying.
ULO rewards people who can shift load
The ULO overnight price is the lowest in the province. A home that charges an EV overnight can move several thousand kWh a year into that window. Running a dishwasher, dryer or water heater on a timer adds more. Our EV charging calculator shows how much that is worth for your car. The catch is the weekday on-peak period. If you cook dinner, run the dryer and heat with electricity in those hours, ULO can cost you more than TOU. Read our EV home charging cost guide for more on timing.
Heat pumps and electric heat
A heat pump runs most in cold weather and often around the clock. That pattern tends to favour Tiered or TOU. A smart thermostat can pre-heat before the on-peak window, which narrows the gap. See our guide to smart thermostat setbacks.
How to choose using your own data
- Log in to your utility account and download 12 months of hourly usage. Many Ontario utilities support Green Button downloads.
- Look at what share of your kWh falls overnight, on weekday afternoons and evenings, and on weekends.
- Use the OEB's online bill calculator, or your utility's plan comparison tool, with your actual numbers.
- If the difference is small, pick the plan that fits your habits. A plan that forces you to change routines you will not keep is not a saving.
Many households find that the plans land within a modest amount of each other over a full year. The gap gets large mainly for EV owners on ULO and for daytime-heavy homes on Tiered. If your numbers are close, do not stress about it.
Switching plans
You switch by contacting your local distribution utility, usually online. There is no fee. Changes typically take effect within one or two billing cycles. You can switch back if it does not work out. Because the OEB resets prices each November 1, it is a good habit to re-check your choice every fall. For the rest of your bill, see how to read your electricity bill, and check Ontario rebates before any major electric upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ontario electricity plan is cheapest?
It depends on when you use power. Tiered often wins for daytime-heavy homes, TOU for evening and weekend users, and Ultra-Low Overnight for homes that can shift big loads like EV charging overnight.
Is Ultra-Low Overnight worth it without an EV?
Sometimes. If you can run laundry, dishes and water heating overnight and avoid weekday late-afternoon use, it can still save money, but many homes without an EV do better on TOU or Tiered.
How do I switch from Time-of-Use to Tiered in Ontario?
Contact your local electricity utility, usually through its website. There is no fee, and the change typically takes effect within one or two billing cycles.
When do Ontario electricity prices change?
The Ontario Energy Board resets regulated residential prices each November 1.
Want numbers for your own home?
Use the ev charging cost calculator with your province's prices and climate. It takes about two minutes.