Ontario Electricity Explained Ontario • Electricity
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Practical Ways to Reduce Your Ontario Electricity Bill

Updated 2026‑04‑22

Electricity bills in Ontario can feel complicated, but the most effective ways to reduce your monthly cost are surprisingly straightforward. You don’t need major renovations or expensive equipment — small, consistent habits often make the biggest difference. This guide focuses on practical, realistic actions that Ontario households can take to reduce electricity usage and make the most of available pricing plans.

These tips are written in plain English and apply to all utilities across the province. They do not require technical knowledge, and they avoid unrealistic “energy‑saving myths” that don’t actually move the needle.

1. Understand when you use electricity — not just how much

In Ontario, the timing of your usage matters almost as much as the total amount. Under Time‑of‑Use (TOU) and Ultra‑Low Overnight (ULO) pricing, shifting flexible activities to cheaper periods can noticeably reduce your bill.

High‑impact activities to shift:

  • Laundry — washers and especially dryers draw significant power.
  • Dishwashers — most have delay‑start features.
  • EV charging — one of the easiest loads to shift overnight.
  • Pool pumps — often run for hours and can be scheduled.
  • Dehumidifiers — can run during off‑peak periods.

Even shifting a few of these activities can reduce your monthly energy cost without changing your lifestyle.

2. Reduce standby and “always‑on” loads

Many devices draw power even when they appear off. These small loads add up over a month.

Common always‑on devices:

  • cable boxes and streaming devices
  • game consoles in standby mode
  • printers
  • older routers and network equipment
  • garage door openers
  • plug‑in air fresheners

You don’t need to unplug everything — focus on devices that are rarely used or known to draw more standby power. Smart plugs can help automate this without inconvenience.

3. Use major appliances efficiently

Large appliances are often the biggest contributors to household electricity usage. Small changes in how you use them can produce meaningful savings.

Washer & dryer

  • Use cold water for most loads.
  • Clean the dryer lint trap every cycle.
  • Run full loads instead of multiple small ones.

Dishwasher

  • Use the eco or air‑dry setting.
  • Run full loads.
  • Use delay‑start to run during off‑peak hours.

Refrigerator

  • Keep coils clean to maintain efficiency.
  • Ensure door seals are tight.
  • Avoid over‑packing, which restricts airflow.

4. Heating and cooling: the biggest opportunity

For many Ontario homes, heating and cooling represent the largest share of electricity usage — especially homes with electric heating or heat pumps.

Practical steps:

  • Use a programmable thermostat to reduce heating/cooling when you’re asleep or away.
  • Replace furnace filters regularly to improve airflow.
  • Seal drafts around windows and doors.
  • Use ceiling fans to circulate air more efficiently.

These actions improve comfort while reducing the amount of energy your HVAC system needs to maintain temperature.

5. Lighting: small savings that add up

LED lighting uses far less electricity than older bulbs. If you still have incandescent or halogen bulbs in high‑use areas, replacing them can reduce usage immediately.

Focus on:

  • kitchen lighting
  • hallways and staircases
  • outdoor lights left on overnight
  • basements and rec rooms

LEDs also last much longer, reducing replacement costs.

6. Smart home devices that actually help

Not all smart devices save energy, but a few can make a real difference:

  • Smart thermostats — automate heating and cooling schedules.
  • Smart plugs — cut power to standby devices.
  • Smart power bars — turn off peripherals when a main device shuts down.
  • Smart timers — control dehumidifiers, fans, and pumps.

These tools help you reduce usage without needing to remember to flip switches manually.

7. Choose the right pricing plan for your household

Ontario households can choose between TOU, Tiered, and ULO pricing. The best plan depends on your habits, not your home size or income.

Use these tools to compare plans:

Switching plans costs nothing and can be done once per billing cycle through your utility.

8. Seasonal strategies that make a difference

Summer

  • Use blinds or curtains during peak sun hours.
  • Run dehumidifiers during off‑peak periods.
  • Use fans before turning on AC.

Winter

  • Lower thermostat slightly at night.
  • Use space heaters sparingly — they are high‑wattage devices.
  • Ensure vents are not blocked by furniture.

Seasonal habits often have the biggest impact on your bill because heating and cooling loads vary dramatically throughout the year.

9. Avoid common energy myths

Some widely repeated tips don’t actually save much energy. For example:

  • Turning lights on and off does not use extra electricity.
  • Leaving ceiling fans on does not cool empty rooms.
  • Running appliances at night only saves money under TOU/ULO plans.
  • Closing vents in unused rooms can reduce HVAC efficiency.

Focusing on high‑impact actions is far more effective than chasing small or outdated tips.

10. Track your usage to see real improvements

Most Ontario utilities offer online portals where you can view your hourly or daily electricity usage. Tracking your usage helps you:

  • see which habits make the biggest difference
  • identify unusual spikes
  • compare seasonal patterns
  • evaluate whether switching pricing plans makes sense

Even checking once a month can help you understand your home’s energy profile.