Updated October 27, 2026 · Ontario winter rates from Nov 1
What this post covers
1. Seven ways to
lower your hydro bill in Ontario this winter, from appliance timing to draft sealing.
2. The winter time-of-use hours and prices from November 1, 2026, and what the same load costs at each time.
3. The rebates and help programs open in 2026, including Save on Energy, LEAP and OESP.
If you want to lower your hydro bill in Ontario this winter, the two biggest levers are when you use electricity and how much heat you lose. Winter time-of-use hours start on November 1, and new Ontario Energy Board (OEB) prices take effect the same day. This guide walks through seven changes that work on any plan, then the rebates that help pay for bigger upgrades.
Start here: how is your home heated?
Electric baseboards or heat pump
Heating is on your hydro bill. Tips 2, 3 and 4 matter most.
Natural gas furnace
Heating is on your gas bill. Focus on tips 1, 5 and 6.
Condo, heat in the fees
Appliance timing and lighting are where your savings are.
Renting
Stick to removable fixes: draft stoppers, power bars, LED bulbs.
First, Know Your Winter Hours
Most Ontario homes are on time-of-use (TOU) pricing. From November 1 to April 30, the expensive hours are weekday mornings and early evenings, which is exactly when families are getting ready and making dinner.
TOU weekday hours in winter (Nov 1–Apr 30)
12 a.m.6 a.m.12 p.m.6 p.m.12 a.m.
Off-peak 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Mid-peak 11 a.m.–5 p.m. On-peak 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Weekends and statutory holidays are off-peak all day.
Same 10 kWh of laundry and dishes, different time (TOU, from Nov 1, 2026)
Off-peak (9.1¢)
Mid-peak (14.6¢)
On-peak (18.9¢)
Supply price only, before delivery, regulatory charges, HST and the Ontario Electricity Rebate. Source: Ontario Energy Board Regulated Price Plan prices effective November 1, 2026.
The same load costs about twice as much at 5 p.m. as it does at 8 p.m. Not sure which plan you should be on? Our Ontario Hydro Rates 2026 guide compares TOU, Ultra-Low Overnight and Tiered for four sample families.
7 Ways to Lower Your Hydro Bill This Winter
1Move big appliances to off-peak. Dishwashers, washers, dryers and EV chargers are the easiest loads to shift. Use the delay-start button so they run after 7 p.m. on weekdays, or save the big laundry day for the weekend, when every hour is off-peak.
2Turn the heat down at night and when you're out. A common setting in Canadian homes is around 20°C when you're home and awake and a few degrees lower, around 17°C, overnight or when the house is empty. Warm layers, area rugs and closed doors to unused rooms make the lower setting easy to live with. If you heat with electricity, this is the single biggest change you can make.
3Let a smart thermostat remember for you. A programmable or smart thermostat lowers the temperature on a schedule, and many can start warming the house before you get home. Save on Energy's Home Renovation Savings program lists a $100 rebate for an eligible smart thermostat.
🛒 Shop on Amazon.ca
Smart thermostat for winter schedules
Set it once and let it lower the heat at night. Check the Save on Energy rebate before you buy.
4Stop the drafts. Weatherstripping around doors and windows, door sweeps and caulking keep warm air inside. At night, close heavy curtains; on sunny days, open south-facing ones for free heat. Renters can use removable draft stoppers and window film.
🛒 Shop on Amazon.ca
Weatherstripping for doors and windows
Self-adhesive foam strips that seal drafty gaps. Easy to remove later, so it works for renters too.
5Wash in cold and dry smarter. Most of the energy a washing machine uses goes into heating water, so cold cycles save the most. Clean the dryer's lint filter before every load, use dryer balls, and air-dry what you can on a rack.
6Cut standby power. TVs, game consoles, computers and chargers keep drawing power when they're "off." Plug them into a power bar with a switch and turn it off at bedtime.
7Upgrade when things wear out. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than old incandescent bulbs and last much longer, so start with the lights you use most. When a fridge, freezer or washer needs replacing, choose an ENERGY STAR model.
From our family
Our house in Stittsville is heated with gas, and we're on TOU. With three boys, the laundry and dishwasher never stop, so on weekdays we run both around 8 p.m., after the kids finish their showers. That's already off-peak. On weekends, when every hour is off-peak, we just do laundry whenever we have time.
Rebates and Help Programs in 2026
Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program is run by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas, and it is open to homes heated with electricity, natural gas, oil, propane or wood. Some upgrades can be claimed on their own; others need a home energy assessment first.
| Upgrade |
Listed rebate |
Assessment needed? |
| Smart thermostat | $100 | No |
| Energy-efficient appliances | Up to $200 | No |
| Attic insulation | $1,250 | No |
| Home energy assessment | $600 | This is the assessment |
| Air sealing | Up to $250 | Yes, with 2+ upgrades |
| Windows and doors | $100 per opening | Yes, with 2+ upgrades |
Amounts as listed on the Save on Energy Home Renovation Savings page, checked October 27, 2026. Terms, eligible products and amounts can change.
LEAP emergency help
A one-time grant toward an overdue electricity bill for lower-income households. Apply through your utility or local agency.
OESP monthly credit
The Ontario Electricity Support Program takes a credit off every bill for eligible lower-income households.
Energy Affordability Program
Save on Energy offers free upgrades, like weatherstripping and efficient lighting, to eligible households.
Check current rebates before you buy
Save on Energy Home Renovation Savings: thermostats, insulation, heat pumps and more.
Struggling with your bill?
See if you qualify for a monthly OESP credit.
Winter hydro checklist
▸Dishwasher and washer set to start after 7 p.m. on weekdays
▸Thermostat schedule set for nights and weekdays away
▸Weatherstripping and door sweeps checked before the first cold snap
▸Laundry on cold, lint filter cleaned every load
▸TV and gaming corner on a switched power bar
▸Hourly usage checked in your utility account once a month
FAQ: Lowering Your Hydro Bill in Ontario
What is the cheapest time to use electricity in Ontario in winter?
On TOU, weekdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day on weekends and holidays. From November 1, 2026, that off-peak price is 9.1¢ per kWh.
What uses the most electricity in an Ontario home in winter?
In homes with electric baseboards or a heat pump, heating is usually the biggest load. In gas-heated homes, the big electric users are typically the dryer, the water heater if it's electric, cooking and the fridge.
Does running the dishwasher at night really save money?
Yes, on TOU. The same load costs about half as much after 7 p.m. as it does during the 7–11 a.m. or 5–7 p.m. on-peak windows.
Can I get a rebate for a smart thermostat in Ontario?
Save on Energy's Home Renovation Savings program lists a $100 rebate for an eligible smart thermostat, with no home assessment needed. Check the current terms before you buy.
I heat with gas. Will these tips still lower my hydro bill?
Yes. Appliance timing, cold-water laundry, standby power and LED lighting all cut your electricity use. Thermostat and draft tips will mostly lower your gas bill instead.
What help is there if I can't pay my hydro bill?
Lower-income households can apply for LEAP emergency help with an overdue bill and for a monthly OESP credit. Contact your utility first; they can also set up a payment plan.
Quick Recap
Off-peak
After 7 p.m. and weekends.
On-peak
7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Price gap
On-peak is about 2× off-peak.
Heat
About 20°C day, 17°C night.
Laundry
Cold wash, clean lint filter.
Standby
Switch off power bars at night.
Rebate
$100 smart thermostat.
Help
LEAP and OESP if you qualify.
What's your best hydro-saving habit? Share it in the comments, especially if you've found a routine that works with kids at home.
Author's note: Updated October 27, 2026 (first published December 2025). TOU hours and prices are the Ontario Energy Board's Regulated Price Plan prices effective November 1, 2026. Rebate amounts are from the Save on Energy Home Renovation Savings page, checked October 27, 2026. Savings depend on your home, plan and habits. This is general information, not financial advice. Affiliate disclosure: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
