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Neither plan is always cheaper. A time-of-use (TOU) tariff can lower your bill if you can move a large share of consumption into the utility’s inexpensive periods and avoid peak hours. A single-rate plan is often cheaper—or at least easier to budget—when your biggest loads happen during peak times, cannot be moved, or when the TOU plan’s standing charges and peak premiums outweigh its discounts.
The answer depends on your actual, time-stamped electricity use, the current tariff in your jurisdiction, meter eligibility, seasonal schedules, and every charge on the bill. Use 12 months of interval data and the utility’s current rate sheet rather than a generic claim about “night rates.”
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The short answer: compare your household’s load profile, not the headline rate
A single-rate tariff charges the same usage price at all hours. Energy Made Easy describes it simply: there are no peak or off-peak periods. A TOU tariff assigns different prices to defined time windows; the Ontario Energy Board says that with TOU and ultra-low overnight (ULO) pricing, the price depends on when you use electricity.
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TOU is a good candidate when you have substantial flexible demand—such as laundry, dishwashing, water heating, electric-vehicle charging or some cooling—and can reliably schedule it outside the expensive window. A single-rate plan is usually the safer choice when cooking, heating, cooling, medical equipment or other essential loads are concentrated in peak periods, or when changing routines would be difficult.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
There is no universal off-peak percentage at which TOU becomes cheaper. Rates, schedules, supply charges, taxes, rebates, demand charges and switching rules differ by utility and country. Calculate both plans with your own data before changing tariff.
What the two pricing structures actually mean
Single-rate or flat usage pricing
Under a single-rate tariff, each kilowatt-hour (kWh) has one usage price regardless of the hour. The bill can still include a daily supply or standing charge, taxes and other regulated items. “Fixed-rate” is sometimes used to describe this flat usage price, but it can also mean a contract that locks a supplier’s unit price for a term. Confirm which meaning applies in your market.
Time-of-use pricing
A TOU tariff divides the day into periods, commonly called off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak. Off-peak energy costs less; on-peak energy costs more. The California Public Utilities Commission explains that electricity consumed at peak times is charged at a higher price than electricity used off-peak. The Electricity Authority of New Zealand describes the same trade-off: prices are highest when demand is high and lowest when demand is low.
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Some utilities add a very low overnight period or a separate weekend period. Ontario’s ULO option, for example, has four prices. The Ontario Energy Board’s historical table lists rates effective November 1, 2025 of 3.9 cents/kWh ultra-low overnight, 9.8 cents/kWh weekend off-peak, 15.7 cents/kWh mid-peak and 39.1 cents/kWh on-peak. Those figures are Ontario-specific and dated; they are not a benchmark for another utility.
How the structures differ at a glance
| Feature | Single-rate usage plan | TOU usage plan |
|---|---|---|
| Usage price | One kWh rate at all times | Different rates by tariff period |
| Best fit | Loads that are hard to schedule and households prioritising predictability | Households able to shift meaningful usage away from peak windows |
| Main risk | You may miss savings available for off-peak consumption | Peak-period use can become expensive |
| Meter requirement | Usually compatible with a standard cumulative meter | Typically requires a meter that records usage by time interval |
| Schedule | No peak or off-peak clock | Hours vary by utility, season, weekday and sometimes holidays |
| Budgeting | More predictable usage cost when your consumption is stable | More sensitive to when you consume electricity |
Why peak hours are not the same everywhere
Do not rely on a generic “after 7 p.m.” rule. Utilities set periods according to local demand, generation and regulation, and may change them by season.
Ontario example
Ontario’s schedules distinguish summer and winter. Summer guidance includes a midday peak, while winter weekdays have two peak windows. The exact hours and prices depend on whether you are on TOU or ULO and on the current Ontario Energy Board schedule. Check the utility’s tariff sheet for the effective date on your bill.
New Zealand example
The Electricity Authority gives typical weekday peak periods of 7–10 a.m. and 5–9 p.m. These are examples of common demand patterns, not a nationwide tariff that every customer receives. Its October 2024 consultation reported that none of the six largest power companies surveyed offered TOU pricing to all customers.
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California utilities publish their own TOU windows and may use different summer and winter periods. Australian retailers and networks set plans and controlled-load arrangements by state and distributor. In the United Kingdom, Ofgem’s price-cap rules and supplier tariffs separate unit rates from standing charges; region, payment method and meter type affect the result. A tariff available to a smart-meter customer in one area may not be offered to a neighboring customer.
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- 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
What to record before comparing
- Every period’s name and exact start and end time.
- Weekday, weekend and holiday treatment.
- Summer, winter or other seasonal calendars.
- Whether daylight-saving changes alter the clock times.
- The date on which the published rates take effect and when they expire.
Meter capability and eligibility can decide the question
TOU billing requires the utility to know how many kWh you use in each period. Energy Made Easy says a meter that measures usage at different times is typically required. Ontario limits its TOU and ULO choice to eligible smart-meter customers billed under the regulated-price plan (RPP). Other jurisdictions may require a communicating smart meter, an interval-data consent, or a particular service class.
Ask the utility these questions before comparing prices:
- Does my meter record interval or register-specific consumption?
- Is the meter communicating successfully, or will bills be estimated?
- Am I eligible for this TOU tariff, and is enrollment voluntary?
- Will the utility install or upgrade the meter, and is there a fee?
- How will a failed communication link or delayed data affect billing?
A plug-in monitor can help you understand an appliance’s kWh use, but it does not replace the utility’s meter for billing. The utility bill or smart-meter portal is the authoritative record of billed consumption.
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Ofgem identifies two basic cost components in many electricity bills: the unit rate and the standing charge. The same principle applies elsewhere even when the labels differ. Include all recurring and usage-based items in both scenarios.
Charges to include
- TOU-period or single-rate kWh charges.
- Daily, monthly or annual supply/standing charges.
- Taxes, regulated levies and delivery charges.
- Demand or capacity charges, if the tariff has them.
- One-time enrollment, meter or installation fees.
- Contract, exit or early-termination fees.
- Rebates, bill credits and discounts, including their expiry dates.
- Seasonal rate changes and any automatic price resets.
The calculation
For a single-rate plan, multiply total kWh by the single usage rate and add fixed charges and applicable taxes. For TOU, 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)
Then add the same categories of supply charges, taxes, credits and fees to both plans. Use a separate calculation for each season when the utility changes period definitions or prices.
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Use a full year whenever possible
Twelve months captures heating, cooling, holidays and changes in daylight. If you only have one or two bills, label the result as a limited estimate. A household that looks ideal for overnight pricing in mild spring weather may have a very different result during a winter heating season.
Rank #3
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
A practical eight-step comparison method
- Collect the current tariff documents. Download the utility’s rate sheet, terms and conditions, and meter-eligibility rules. Note the effective date and whether prices are promotional, regulated or contract-based.
- Gather consumption data. Export 12 months of interval data from the smart-meter portal if available. Otherwise, collect every bill and record kWh, billing days and season. Do not infer hourly use from a monthly total unless you clearly label the estimate.
- Map kWh to periods. Assign each interval to the exact peak, mid-peak, off-peak, overnight, weekend and holiday windows in the tariff. Keep summer and winter schedules separate.
- Calculate TOU energy charges. Multiply each period’s kWh by its published rate and total the periods for each bill or season.
- Calculate the single-rate alternative. Multiply the same period’s total kWh by the candidate single rate. If the “fixed” offer locks a price for a term, use the locked rate only for that term and model the post-term price separately.
- Add non-energy charges. Apply standing charges, taxes, delivery items, demand charges, credits and any meter or enrollment fees. Check whether a discount applies to usage, the supply charge or the whole bill.
- Model behavior changes conservatively. Create one scenario using your observed pattern and another only for changes you can realistically make, such as moving dishwasher cycles or EV charging. Do not assume every load can be shifted without affecting comfort, safety or equipment requirements.
- Compare annual totals and uncertainty. Show the difference in currency and as a percentage, identify the assumptions, and test a high-peak-use case. If the result changes materially under small schedule changes, treat predictability as a cost.
Measure before switching
Interval data shows when the home used electricity, while an appliance-level monitor helps explain why. A plug-in energy monitor can measure kWh for compatible loads such as a dehumidifier, refrigerator or portable heater. Use it to identify large, movable loads; do not use a small appliance reading to represent a whole home.
Measurement checklist
- Start with the largest plug-in loads and any appliance you are considering scheduling.
- Record operating hours, kWh and whether the appliance must run at a particular time.
- For hard-wired equipment, use the utility’s interval data or a qualified electrician’s measurement method rather than improvising.
- Check that timers, smart plugs and appliance controls are rated for the load and do not create a safety hazard.
- Compare measured patterns with the corresponding interval data on your bill or portal.
Measurement is especially useful when the advertised TOU discount is large but your home’s total peak share is unknown. It cannot establish the tariff’s final cost by itself; standing charges and all other bill items still matter.
Worked example: how timing changes the result
The following is an illustration using the Ontario ULO rates effective November 1, 2025. It is not a prediction of an Ontario household’s bill and does not compare against a particular single-rate offer.
| Period | Illustrative monthly use | Rate used in example | Energy charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-low overnight | 450 kWh | 3.9¢/kWh | $17.55 |
| Weekend off-peak | 180 kWh | 9.8¢/kWh | $17.64 |
| Mid-peak | 180 kWh | 15.7¢/kWh | $28.26 |
| On-peak | 90 kWh | 39.1¢/kWh | $35.19 |
| Total | 900 kWh | $98.64 |
The arithmetic shows why both the cheap overnight price and the expensive on-peak price matter. Moving 50 kWh from on-peak to ultra-low overnight in this illustration would reduce the energy component by $17.60 before taxes and other charges: 50 × (39.1¢ − 3.9¢). Moving the same amount from mid-peak to overnight would reduce it by $5.90. A real household may have different schedules, and the single-rate comparison must use the actual alternative rate and its fixed charges.
Households that often benefit from TOU
Flexible appliance users
If laundry, dishwashing and water heating can run during lower-priced periods without inconvenience, a meaningful share of demand may move off-peak. Use delayed-start settings only when the appliance and installation are safe for unattended operation.
Electric-vehicle owners
Charging is often schedulable, making it a potential TOU advantage. Confirm the vehicle, charger and tariff can follow the required schedule, and account for charging losses and any separate EV rate or demand charge.
Homes with thermal or battery flexibility
Some households can preheat or precool within comfort limits, or charge a battery during a low-priced period. Include equipment efficiency, degradation, export rules and installation costs in the calculation; a lower energy rate does not automatically repay a new device.
People who can automate behavior
Timers, utility-controlled water heaters and home-energy-management systems can make a TOU routine repeatable. Automation reduces the risk of forgetting, but verify that a device failure will not leave a critical load without power.
Rank #4
- 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
Households that often prefer a single-rate plan
High, unavoidable peak demand
Electric resistance heating, central air-conditioning, cooking, medical equipment and work-from-home loads may coincide with the utility’s peak window. If those loads cannot move, the peak premium can dominate the bill.
Irregular schedules or limited control
Renters, households with shared laundry, caregivers and people working variable shifts may not control when major appliances operate. A theoretical shift is not a saving if it is impractical to maintain.
Budget-sensitive households
A single-rate plan can make monthly usage costs easier to forecast. This benefit has value even when a TOU spreadsheet shows a small expected saving, especially if the saving disappears under a colder or hotter season.
Customers without eligible meters
If the utility cannot provide interval measurement or does not offer TOU to your service class, switching may be impossible or may involve an upgrade cost that changes the economics.
Risks and trade-offs beyond the kWh arithmetic
Peak-price exposure
One missed schedule can move a large load into the most expensive period. Model a high-peak month rather than relying only on your average month.
Seasonal and calendar complexity
Period boundaries can change between summer and winter, and holidays may follow special rules. Keep a current copy of the tariff and update automated schedules when clocks or seasons change.
Contract and exit terms
A supplier may advertise a fixed unit price but impose a term, credit condition or early-termination fee. Compare the expected bill over the entire commitment, not just the first month.
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A lower off-peak rate can be offset by a higher daily supply charge. Multiply the difference by the number of billing days in a year so it is not hidden in a per-kWh comparison.
Best Value
- ✓ 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.
- ✓ Safe to Use: Rated voltage 125VAC, 60Hz, 15A maximum 1875W resistor and tungsten wire, 1/2HP. Clean and tidy interface, very simple to use.
Data and billing errors
Estimated reads, missing intervals or a meter communication failure can place consumption in the wrong period or trigger a correction later. Keep meter-read records and contact the utility promptly if the bill does not match the portal.
How to switch without creating an expensive surprise
- Confirm eligibility in writing. Ask the utility or supplier to identify the exact tariff name, meter requirement and effective date.
- Download the complete price sheet. Save the document showing period rates, standing charges, taxes, seasonal rules and contract terms.
- Run a baseline calculation. Use your existing 12-month consumption and current bill components.
- Run realistic shift scenarios. Separate loads you can automate from loads you cannot move, and include a missed-schedule case.
- Check the first bill after enrollment. Verify the meter register, period labels, billing days and opening read.
- Review after a full seasonal cycle. Compare actual period kWh and total charges with your forecast before deciding whether to remain on the plan.
Troubleshooting common comparison mistakes
“The overnight rate is lower, so TOU must be cheaper.”
A low overnight price helps only the kWh you actually use overnight. Recalculate peak consumption, standing charges, taxes and any demand charge.
“My bill shows one total, so I cannot compare.”
Request interval data or a time-of-use breakdown from the utility portal. If unavailable, use a clearly labeled estimate from appliance measurements and monthly bills, then treat the result as uncertain.
“The schedule I found online does not match my bill.”
Check the tariff version, service territory, season, daylight-saving treatment and customer class. A neighboring utility may publish different hours.
“My first TOU bill is unexpectedly high.”
Check whether the meter was enrolled for the whole billing period, whether reads were estimated, and whether peak hours changed seasonally. Compare each period’s kWh with the portal and ask the utility to correct missing or misassigned intervals.
“The saving disappears when I include fixed charges.”
That is a valid result. Use the full-bill total and include any one-time meter or exit cost. A small usage saving may not justify a permanent higher standing charge or additional complexity.
What official guidance says—and what it does not say
The Ontario Energy Board reports that a historical typical residential customer on TOU used nearly two-thirds of electricity during off-peak periods, when the lowest TOU price applied. That is a description of a historical typical customer, not a guarantee for your home.
California’s regulator and New Zealand’s Electricity Authority both explain the same economic principle: peak demand costs more and customers who shift usage may reduce bills. Neither statement establishes a universal saving, because the size and timing of loads differ by household and tariff.
Energy Made Easy’s distinction is equally important: a single-rate plan has no peak or off-peak periods. A comparison therefore needs actual period data; comparing only the cheapest TOU rate with a single-rate unit price is incomplete.
Decision checklist
- Do you have at least several months—ideally 12 months—of interval or time-bucketed kWh data?
- Can you identify and move your largest flexible loads?
- Have you copied every TOU period, seasonal rule and holiday treatment from the current tariff?
- Did you include standing charges, taxes, delivery items, demand charges, credits and contract fees?
- Is your meter eligible and communicating correctly?
- Does the result remain favorable in a high-peak-use or unusually hot/cold month?
- Is the expected saving large enough to compensate for schedule management and budget uncertainty?
Bottom line
Choose TOU when your measured load profile and realistic scheduling ability put substantial consumption in the tariff’s lower-priced periods after all bill charges are included. Choose a single-rate or flat-price option when peak use is unavoidable, meter eligibility is uncertain, or predictable budgeting is worth more than a fragile projected saving. Re-run the comparison whenever the utility changes rates, seasons, meter rules or contract terms.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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