Effective November 1st, hydro companies across Ontario are making the switch over to their winter time-of-use hours. Instead of the one set of on-peak hours in the summer, the winter schedule carries two on-peak periods.
According to the Ontario Energy Board, the change over reflects the energy use of residents. In summer, people used air conditioning during the hottest hours of the day, but in winter, energy use peaks twice due to less daylight. Residents turn on the lights and their appliances in the morning and again when they return home from work.
Winter weekday on-peak hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. before dropping down to mid-peak from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another on-peak period follows from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Outside of those hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. are off-peak periods. Weekends and statutory holidays remain off-peak hours.
Winter energy time-of-use periods are effect from November 1st to April 30th.
***Corrected story. Rates are not changing, but time-of-use hours are for the winter***
