TORONTO — Ontario electricity consumers will soon see changes to their hydro bills as time-of-use (TOU) pricing shifts from summer to winter hours on November 1, 2025. The change coincides with the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) annual adjustment of electricity prices, which will also take effect that day.
Under TOU pricing, electricity costs vary based on the time of day: on-peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. The winter schedule reflects seasonal consumption patterns, with demand spiking twice daily — once in the morning and again in the evening when families return home.
During the winter months, on-peak hours will run weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mid-peak hours shift to weekdays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Off-peak rates continue overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends and statutory holidays.
Until November 1, consumers continue to pay 15.8 cents/kWh on-peak, 12.2 cents/kWh mid-peak, and 7.6 cents/kWh off-peak. New rates for the upcoming winter period will be announced by the OEB in mid-October.
Ontario Energy Board spokesperson Tom Miller confirmed that updated rates are set annually under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP). “The RPP is usually announced in mid-October, and we expect that will be the case again this year,” he said.
While electricity prices have generally trended upward, OEB data shows there have been years when rates decreased. Consumers are encouraged to check their local utility’s website or the OEB directly for updated rates.
Households looking to manage costs can take steps such as shifting energy use to off-peak hours, installing programmable thermostats, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, or sealing home air leaks. An alternative pricing option, the Ultra-Low Overnight Plan, may also benefit families who use most of their power overnight, including those charging electric vehicles.
With winter demand approaching, Ontario residents are urged to review their electricity usage patterns and prepare for the seasonal adjustment in pricing that will impact their monthly bills.