Ontario Hydro Rates Drop November 1, But Your Bill Might Not

Ontario electricity prices are changing on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has announced lower regulated electricity rates for households, small businesses and farms. But there is a catch: the provincial electricity rebate is also shrinking, meaning lower electricity prices will not necessarily translate into lower overall bills.

For Ontario households already dealing with higher grocery prices, mortgage payments and winter heating costs, understanding these changes could help save money over the coming months.

Here is what you need to know about the new rates, how to choose between Time-of-Use, Tiered and Ultra-Low Overnight pricing, and the winter protection that prevents electricity disconnections for non-payment.

1. Ontario Electricity Rates Change November 1

The new rates take effect November 1, bringing lower prices for electricity used under Ontario's Regulated Price Plan (RPP).

According to the OEB, the new rates are designed to reflect electricity supply costs. However, the amount you save will depend on how much electricity your household consumes, when you use it and which pricing plan you choose.

Here are the new electricity prices effective November 1, 2026.

Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates

Period	When It Applies	Price per kWh
Off-peak	Weekdays, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; weekends and holidays all day	9.1¢
Mid-peak	Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.	14.6¢
On-peak	Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.	18.9¢

These winter rates apply from November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.

For households that can shift electricity use to evenings and weekends, Time-of-Use pricing may offer opportunities to reduce costs.

For example, running the dishwasher or washing machine after 7 p.m. on weekdays, rather than during weekday peak hours, can help reduce the cost of electricity used by those appliances.

However, changing when you use electricity will only help if the savings outweigh any inconvenience and the household's overall consumption remains manageable.

2. The Provincial Electricity Rebate Is Shrinking

Here is the important detail that could affect your bill.

Effective November 1, 2026, the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) will decrease to 15.7%.

The rebate reduces eligible electricity bills, helping households manage their electricity costs. However, the government says the reduction in the rebate reflects the decrease in regulated electricity prices.

What does this mean for your household?

Lower electricity rates do not automatically mean a lower total bill.

Your final bill depends on several factors, including:

• How much electricity you consume.

• The time of day when you use electricity.

• Your chosen pricing plan.

• Delivery charges and other applicable bill components.

• The Ontario Electricity Rebate and any other credits for which you qualify.

The OEB estimates that, for a typical residential customer using 700 kWh per month, the Ontario Electricity Rebate will reduce the bill by approximately $23 per month under the new arrangements.

Your results may differ depending on your electricity consumption and utility.

The best approach is to compare your latest electricity bill with the next one rather than assuming that lower rates will automatically produce savings.

3. Time-of-Use vs. Tiered vs. Ultra-Low Overnight: Which Plan Is Best?

Ontario households can generally choose between three regulated electricity pricing plans.

The right choice depends on your household's lifestyle, electricity consumption and ability to shift electricity use to cheaper periods.

Option A: Time-of-Use (TOU)

Time-of-Use pricing charges different rates depending on when you use electricity.

The cheapest rate is available during off-peak hours, including weekday evenings and overnight hours, as well as weekends and holidays.

This plan may suit you if:

• You are away from home during much of the weekday.

• You can run your dishwasher and washing machine in the evening.

• You use a substantial amount of electricity on weekends.

• You can avoid some electricity-intensive activities during weekday peak periods.

For many households, TOU offers a straightforward way to manage electricity costs without having to monitor total monthly consumption against a threshold.

However, households that use considerable electricity during weekday mornings and early evenings may pay more for that usage.

Option B: Tiered Pricing

Tiered pricing works differently. Instead of charging different rates according to the time of day, it charges based on how much electricity you use during the month.

Beginning November 1, the winter residential threshold increases to 1,000 kWh per month.

The new rates are:

Monthly Electricity Use	Price per kWh
First 1,000 kWh	11.2¢
Electricity above 1,000 kWh	13.2¢

The winter threshold allows households to use more electricity at the lower rate than during the summer, when the residential threshold is 600 kWh per month.

Tiered pricing may suit you if:

• You are home during the day.

• You prefer to use appliances whenever convenient.

• Your household's electricity consumption generally stays below 1,000 kWh per month in winter.

• You do not want to organize household chores around peak and off-peak hours.

For example, a household that uses 800 kWh per month would remain within the first tier. Its electricity consumption would be charged at 11.2 cents per kWh under the new rates.

The electricity charge for those 800 kWh would be $89.60 before applicable rebates, delivery charges and other bill adjustments.

Remember that this calculation covers the electricity consumed, not the entire bill.

Option C: Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO)

Ultra-Low Overnight pricing offers an especially low rate overnight, but charges a much higher rate during weekday peak hours.

The new rates effective November 1 are:

Period	When It Applies	Price per kWh
Ultra-low overnight	Every day, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.	3.7¢
Weekend off-peak	Weekends and holidays, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.	9.1¢
Mid-peak	Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.	14.6¢
On-peak	Weekdays, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.	37.7¢

The overnight rate is attractive, but the weekday peak rate is considerably higher than the peak rate under TOU.

ULO may suit you if:

• You own an electric vehicle and can charge it overnight.

• You can schedule major electricity-consuming activities between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

• You have appliances or equipment that can operate automatically overnight.

• You can limit electricity use during the expensive weekday period between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

For households that cannot shift much electricity use away from the evening peak, ULO could be more expensive despite its exceptionally low overnight rate.

So, Which Plan Should You Choose?

There is no single best plan for every Ontario household.

Your Household Situation	Plan Worth Comparing
You use most electricity during evenings and weekends	Time-of-Use
You prefer using electricity at any time without tracking the clock	Tiered
You charge an electric vehicle overnight	Ultra-Low Overnight
You use substantial electricity between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays	Compare TOU and Tiered carefully before considering ULO

My recommendation: Before switching, review your electricity consumption and compare the plans using the OEB's online bill calculator.

You can find the official rates and plan-selection information at the Ontario Energy Board's website: https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/electricity-rates/choosing-your-electricity-price-plan

You can also contact your local electricity distributor to request a change. You do not need to switch plans simply because the rates are changing.

4. The Winter Electricity Disconnection Ban Starts November 15

There is another important date for households worried about rising expenses.

Ontario's annual winter electricity disconnection ban runs from November 15, 2026, to April 30, 2027.

During this period, licensed electricity distributors cannot disconnect residential customers for non-payment.

This protection can provide some breathing room for households experiencing financial difficulties during the winter months.

However, it is important to understand what the ban does and does not cover.

What the Ban Means for You

• Your electricity cannot be disconnected for non-payment during the protected period by a licensed electricity distributor covered by the rules.

• Your outstanding balance does not disappear. You remain responsible for the amount owed.

• Late-payment charges may continue to apply to overdue amounts.

• Disconnection may become possible after April 30 if your account remains in arrears and the required procedures are followed.

There is also a special rule for homes already disconnected for non-payment: occupied residential homes covered by the rules must be reconnected by December 1 without charge.

The rules have exceptions, including certain multi-unit buildings served by unit sub-meter providers. Renters should check which billing arrangements and protections apply to their particular home.

What Should You Do If You Are Behind on Your Bill?

Do not wait until the winter ban begins to contact your electricity provider.

If you are struggling to pay your bill:

1. Contact your electricity distributor as soon as possible.

2. Ask whether you qualify for an arrears payment agreement.

3. Check whether you are eligible for assistance through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

4. Investigate the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), which provides eligible households with ongoing credits on their electricity bills.

You can find information about these programs through the Ontario Energy Board's bill assistance resources: https://www.oeb.ca/billhelp

The winter ban offers protection against disconnection for non-payment, but arranging affordable payments and seeking assistance early can help prevent a larger financial problem later.

5. Five Practical Ways to Lower Your Electricity Bill This Winter

Even when regulated electricity prices decrease, reducing consumption remains one of the most effective ways to manage household costs.

Here are five practical steps to consider.

1. Run appliances during cheaper hours.

If you are on TOU pricing, consider running your dishwasher and washing machine after 7 p.m. on weekdays or during weekends and holidays.

2. Compare your pricing plans.

Do not assume the plan you selected years ago is still the best one for your household. Review your electricity usage and compare TOU, Tiered and ULO pricing.

3. Reduce unnecessary electricity use.

Turn off lights when rooms are empty, avoid leaving electronics running unnecessarily and use energy-saving settings where practical.

4. Review your electricity bill every month.

Look at your actual electricity consumption, the applicable rates, delivery charges and the rebate. This will help you understand why your bill changes from one month to the next.

5. Check whether you qualify for assistance.

If electricity costs are becoming difficult to manage, investigate available provincial assistance programs rather than waiting until you fall further behind.

Small changes may not transform your finances overnight, but consistent savings can make a difference over an entire winter.

The Bottom Line: Lower Rates Do Not Guarantee Lower Bills

Ontario's new electricity rates take effect November 1, 2026, offering lower regulated prices across the three main pricing plans. At the same time, the Ontario Electricity Rebate is decreasing to 15.7%, so the impact on your total bill will depend on your circumstances.

For some households, switching to a different pricing plan could provide additional savings. For others, staying with their existing plan may make more sense.

The key is to understand when you use electricity, how much you consume and whether your current plan reflects your household's habits.

And if you are worried about keeping the lights on this winter, remember that Ontario's residential electricity disconnection ban begins November 15 and continues through April 30, 2027, subject to the applicable rules and exceptions.

The smartest move this week is simple: check your electricity plan, review your usage and make sure you are not paying more than necessary.