Neither plan is always cheaper. A time-of-use (TOU) tariff can lower a bill when you move substantial consumption into low-price periods and avoid peaks. A single-rate plan is often cheaper—or easier to budget—when your largest loads occur during expensive periods or cannot be shifted. The answer depends on your utility’s current schedule, your meter, and when your household actually uses electricity.
What the two pricing structures mean
Single-rate or flat usage pricing
With a single-rate tariff, each kilowatt-hour (kWh) has the same energy price regardless of the hour. Energy Made Easy describes a single-rate plan as having no peak or off-peak periods. Your bill can still include a daily supply charge, taxes, rebates, demand charges or other regulated items; “single-rate” refers only to the usage price.
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“Fixed-rate” is used in two different ways. It can mean a flat usage rate throughout the day, or a contract in which the unit price is locked for a stated term. A contract with a locked price may still use time-varying charges, and a flat usage tariff may change when the utility updates its schedule. Check the tariff wording rather than relying on the label.
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A TOU tariff assigns different kWh prices to defined periods. Ontario Energy Board consumer guidance summarizes the principle plainly: “With TOU and ULO, the price depends on when you use electricity.” Peak energy costs more than off-peak energy; some plans also have a middle-priced period or an ultra-low overnight period.
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- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
The periods are set by the local utility and can change by season, weekday, weekend or holiday. A generic “cheap after 7 p.m.” rule is unreliable. Use the schedule on your current tariff sheet or utility account.
When TOU is likely to cost less
TOU works when enough of your consumption can move from expensive windows to cheaper ones without creating new costs or inconvenience. The potential is greatest when flexible equipment represents a meaningful share of your kWh.
- Laundry and dishwashing: Delay cycles with start-time controls or run them manually during off-peak periods.
- Electric water heating: A properly configured timer or heat-pump water-heater control may shift recovery loads, subject to local safety and equipment requirements.
- Electric-vehicle charging: Schedule charging for the lowest-priced period and confirm that the vehicle, charger and utility program use the same clock and schedule.
- Space conditioning: Pre-cooling or pre-heating can move some consumption, but comfort, weather and equipment limits matter. Do not disable needed heating or cooling just to chase a rate.
- Battery storage: A battery can charge in a low-price period and discharge during a peak, but round-trip losses, export rules, demand charges and equipment costs must be included in the calculation.
California’s utility regulator explains that electricity consumed at peak times is charged more than electricity used off-peak and that customers who can shift usage may reduce bills. New Zealand’s Electricity Authority describes the same trade-off: prices are highest when demand is high and lowest when demand is low.
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When a single-rate plan is likely to win
A flat usage price can be the better fit when the household’s load is concentrated in peak periods or cannot be moved. Common examples include a home occupied during weekday evening peaks, medical equipment that must run continuously, resistance heating during a winter peak, or appliances without delayed-start controls.
A single-rate plan also has a convenience value. You do not have to monitor seasonal clocks, remember to delay loads or accept a high price when an urgent task must run. If a TOU plan’s supply charge, contract fee or exit fee is higher, the energy-rate opportunity may not offset those costs.
Budget predictability is separate from average price. A flat usage rate removes one source of timing risk, but your total bill can still rise when you use more kWh. A TOU plan may be predictable for a household with automated schedules and a stable routine, yet difficult for a household whose occupancy changes frequently.
Peak and off-peak hours are local, not universal
Peak windows differ by jurisdiction and season because utilities design them around local demand. Ontario guidance describes summer midday peaks and two winter weekday peak windows. New Zealand’s Electricity Authority gives typical weekday peaks of 7–10 a.m. and 5–9 p.m. Those examples are not interchangeable, and they are not a schedule for another region.
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Before comparing plans, record:
- the exact start and end time of every period;
- which weekdays, weekends and holidays use each period;
- summer and winter dates, including the changeover day;
- whether daylight-saving changes alter the clock time;
- the price for each period and any separate supply or standing charge; and
- special rules for controlled loads, electric vehicles, solar exports or batteries.
Do not infer the schedule from a neighbour’s bill. Different utilities, meters and customer classes can have different periods.
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- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
Meter, eligibility and billing requirements
TOU billing normally requires a meter that records consumption at different times. Energy Made Easy notes that a meter capable of time-based measurement is typically required. A basic cumulative meter cannot tell the retailer whether a kWh was consumed at noon or midnight.
Eligibility is also a tariff rule, not merely a technical question. In Ontario, the Ontario Energy Board limits the TOU and ultra-low-overnight (ULO) choice to eligible smart-meter customers billed under the Regulated Price Plan. Other jurisdictions may require enrollment, a particular meter configuration or a qualifying customer class.
Ask the utility or retailer these questions before switching:
- Is my meter already interval-capable, and does the utility have to reprogram or replace it?
- Will meter work involve a charge, an appointment or an interruption?
- Which tariff and customer class will apply after the change?
- When will the new prices begin, and how will the first partial billing period be handled?
- Can I return to the previous tariff, and is there a waiting period?
Compare the whole bill, not just the headline kWh rate
Ofgem identifies unit rates and standing charges as separate cost components and notes that location, payment method and meter affect costs. The same principle applies broadly: a low off-peak rate does not prove that a plan is cheaper if its fixed charges or other bill items are higher.
Costs to put in the calculation
- Every TOU-period kWh rate, including seasonal versions.
- The single-rate kWh price, if that is your alternative.
- Daily, monthly or standing supply charges.
- Taxes, regulated adjustments, rebates and credits.
- Demand charges, if the tariff uses a maximum-demand component.
- Contract, enrollment, meter, cancellation or early-exit fees.
- Any equipment, control or battery cost needed to shift usage.
Separate electricity supply charges from delivery charges where your bill does so. A plan can change the supply price while leaving network charges unchanged, or it can apply a different schedule to only part of the bill.
How to calculate which plan is cheaper
1. Gather a full year of usage
Use 12 months of interval data when available. A full year captures heating, cooling, holidays and seasonal schedule changes. Download the utility’s interval file or use its smart-meter portal; the bill remains the authoritative source for billed kWh and charges.
If interval data is unavailable, divide consumption into reasonable time buckets only if the utility provides a defensible method. A plug-in electricity usage monitor can identify large appliance loads and whether they are shiftable, but it does not replace the utility’s billing data.
2. Classify each kWh by period
For every interval or time bucket, assign the applicable tariff period. Apply the correct summer, winter, weekday, weekend and holiday schedule. Keep the classifications visible so you can audit an unusual result.
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3. Multiply energy by the applicable rate
For a TOU plan, calculate each period separately:
TOU energy cost = (peak kWh × peak rate) + (mid-peak kWh × mid-peak rate) + (off-peak kWh × off-peak rate) + (overnight kWh × overnight rate)
For a single-rate plan:
Single-rate energy cost = total kWh × single-rate price
Use the rates that apply to your region, customer class and billing date. Do not substitute a neighbouring utility’s price.
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Add the daily or monthly supply charge for every billing day, then include taxes, rebates, delivery charges, demand charges and contract fees. Apply one-time meter or enrollment charges in the month they occur, and show recurring charges separately.
5. Model realistic behavior, not an ideal schedule
Make one calculation using your observed usage and a second using only shifts you can reliably make. If you plan to move laundry, EV charging or water heating, estimate the kWh that will actually move and account for losses or added heating and cooling. A theoretical 100% shift is not a useful household forecast.
6. Test seasonal and high-demand cases
Run summer and winter schedules separately when the utility changes periods. Also test a normal month, a holiday month and a month with an unavoidable peak event. A plan that wins only under perfect scheduling may not be the practical low-cost choice.
Ontario example: ULO prices show why timing matters
Ontario’s historical electricity-rate table lists ULO rates effective November 1, 2025, for eligible customers: 3.9¢/kWh ultra-low overnight, 9.8¢/kWh weekend off-peak, 15.7¢/kWh mid-peak and 39.1¢/kWh on-peak.
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| Ontario ULO period | Rate effective November 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low overnight | 3.9¢/kWh |
| Weekend off-peak | 9.8¢/kWh |
| Mid-peak | 15.7¢/kWh |
| On-peak | 39.1¢/kWh |
The spread between 3.9¢ and 39.1¢ is large, but it does not by itself establish savings. Your result depends on how many kWh fall into each period, the plan’s fixed charges and all other bill components. These are Ontario figures, not a general North American benchmark, and they apply to the stated effective date and eligible tariff.
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- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Use your load profile to make the decision
Households that often benefit from TOU
- Most occupants are away during weekday peaks.
- EV charging, water heating or other large loads can be scheduled automatically.
- Appliances have delayed-start controls and the household will use them consistently.
- Interval data shows a substantial share of annual kWh already occurs off-peak.
- The TOU plan has competitive fixed charges and no costly switching requirements.
Households that often prefer single-rate pricing
- Heating, cooling or medical equipment must run during peak windows.
- Occupancy is highest during the utility’s expensive periods.
- Loads cannot be automated, or household members will not follow a schedule.
- Usage is modest enough that the possible energy-rate difference is smaller than fixed fees.
- The meter, customer class or contract makes TOU unavailable or expensive to adopt.
What the “two-thirds off-peak” statistic does—and does not—tell you
Ontario Energy Board consumer guidance says that historically, a typical residential customer paying TOU prices used nearly two thirds of power during off-peak times, when the lowest TOU price applied. That is useful context, not a guaranteed savings threshold. It describes historical typical-customer usage, not your home, and it does not include your tariff’s fixed charges, taxes or contract terms.
There is no universal off-peak percentage at which every household breaks even. The threshold changes with the rates, supply charge, seasonal schedule, demand charges and the amount of usage that can move. Calculate the crossover using your own tariff.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common switching mistakes and how to avoid them
Using a generic peak schedule
Peak hours vary by place and season. Download the current utility schedule and mark it on the same calendar used by appliance timers.
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Add supply charges, taxes, delivery items, demand charges and every contract fee. Compare the total bill for the same kWh, not a promotional headline.
Assuming all nighttime use is cheap
Some tariffs have an overnight period; others do not. A late-evening hour can be mid-peak or on-peak. Verify the exact boundaries.
Ignoring meter and enrollment rules
A smart meter may be necessary but not sufficient. Confirm customer-class eligibility, activation timing and any meter charges before choosing a plan.
Promising savings before measuring
Do not switch on the assumption that running appliances at night will automatically lower the bill. First inspect interval data or measure major loads, then model only the shifts your household can sustain.
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A plan can look attractive under a summer schedule and unattractive under a winter schedule. Calculate both and include the months when heating or cooling dominates.
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- ✓ Backlit LCD Display: The watt meter features an upgraded backlit LCD display with a 160° wide viewing angle, providing clear and distinct data readings from any angle, day or night. (Note: To conserve energy, the backlight will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of continuous use.)
- ✓ 9 Types of Data Display: This energy meter plug accurately monitors a wide range of electrical parameters, including power (W), apparent power (VA), energy consumption (kWh), usage time (hours), power frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), voltage (V), current (A), and electricity cost. The user-friendly interface allows you to easily read and navigate through 9 types of data with a single button.
- ✓ Save Money and Energy: By toggling through the 9 display modes, you can gain insights into various operational parameters of your devices. The home energy monitor also calculates and displays the electricity consumption and cost over time, helping you save on your electricity bills by monitoring and managing energy usage.
- ✓ Data Storage: The plug-in electricity meter stores all non-real-time data, ensuring no information is lost in the event of a sudden power outage. If data exceeds the screen’s maximum display range, the screen will flash as a reminder. Pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds will reset the cumulative data to zero.
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Overlooking convenience and risk
A small theoretical saving may not justify missed cycles, comfort changes or repeated manual scheduling. Consider automation, household routines and the financial effect of a peak event when comparing plans.
A practical pre-switch checklist
- Download the utility’s current tariff sheet and period calendar.
- Confirm your meter type, customer class and eligibility.
- Collect 12 months of interval or time-bucketed kWh data.
- List major loads and identify which can move without affecting safety or comfort.
- Record every usage rate, supply charge, tax, rebate, demand charge and contract fee for both options.
- Calculate observed costs and a realistic shifted-load scenario.
- Repeat the calculation for summer, winter and a high-peak month.
- Check activation dates, partial-month billing, exit terms and the procedure for returning to the previous tariff.
- Set appliance timers only after confirming the utility’s clock, daylight-saving treatment and holiday rules.
- Review the first two bills after switching and compare actual period usage with your forecast.
How to monitor the result after switching
Save the final bill under the old plan and the first bill under the new plan. Compare equivalent billing periods rather than comparing a mild month with an extreme one. Track kWh in each period, fixed charges and any new fees separately.
If the result is worse than expected, look for a period-classification error, a seasonal schedule change, an appliance timer using the wrong clock, a missed enrollment date or a load that remained in peak hours. Correct the operational issue before concluding that the tariff itself failed. If the tariff remains unsuitable, check the utility’s return or change rules and any applicable fee.
How availability differs by jurisdiction
Electricity pricing is regulated locally. Ontario offers TOU and ULO choices to eligible smart-meter customers on the Regulated Price Plan. California guidance emphasizes the peak/off-peak price difference and the value of shifting usage. New Zealand’s Electricity Authority reported in an October 2024 consultation that none of the six largest power companies surveyed offered TOU to all customers. UK price-cap rules, Australian tariff structures and local default protections introduce still other conditions.
These examples demonstrate why a rate quoted in another country cannot be used as your forecast. Check the tariff document, regulator guidance and retailer contract that apply to your address and billing method.
Bottom line: choose based on timing, not the label
Choose TOU when your meter and tariff eligibility are confirmed, a meaningful share of your consumption can move out of peak periods, and the full-bill calculation remains lower under realistic behavior. Choose a single-rate plan when peak use is unavoidable, fixed charges erase the potential gain, or predictable and simple billing is worth more than a theoretical reduction.
The decisive evidence is your own time-stamped usage combined with the current local tariff. No universal off-peak percentage or “run it at night” rule can answer the question for every home.
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