How to use less electricity at home
Find out how you can reduce your electricity use – and costs – at home.
Use less power
Whether you pay time-of-use or tiered prices under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP), you can make changes to reduce your electricity use and save money on your electricity bills.
Cut phantom power
Many electronics we use every day draw power even when they’re not being used. This is called phantom power.
You can cut the phantom power used by:
- unplugging electronics when you’re not using them
- plugging electronics into a power bar and switching it off
- setting up a charging station with a smart power strip so you can limit charging time
Learn more about cutting phantom power.
Improve heat and lights
You can make small changes to improve your home comfort. These can include:
- replace furnace filters every three months to reduce the energy usage of your furnace fan
- caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep heat in and reduce your energy use
- switching to LED (light emitting diode) bulbs, which are 75%-90% more energy efficient than an incandescent light bulb
- taking advantage of natural light during the day instead of relying on overhead lights
These ideas could help you consume less electricity so your costs will be reduced.
Change your laundry routine
You can change your laundry routine by:
- choosing the cold-water setting on your washer for up to a 90% reduction in your appliance's electricity use
- not using your dryer and trying a drying rack (when the heat’s on inside) or clothesline (if you have the space) instead
Use appliances optimally
You can use other appliances in ways that help you reduce energy use and costs, such as:
- opening the door of your dishwasher to let the load air-dry which can cut the total energy use for the wash by 15%
- only opening the oven door when necessary, as 20% of the heat escapes each time it's opened
If you’re buying a first appliance, or replacing an old one, you can:
- find out more about purchasing an ENERGY STAR® appliance
- find buying guides and other tips at SaveOnEnergy
Limit use of air conditioner
If you’re a time-of-use customer, avoid running your air conditioner between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., when electricity prices are on-peak in summer.
You can also try:
- installing and/or running a ceiling fan in a counter-clockwise direction to circulate cool air
- keeping the track on a sliding door clean to ensure the seal doesn’t get damaged and let cool air out
Choose how your electricity is billed
As of November 1, 2020, most Regulated Price Plan (RPP) electricity customers can choose either time-of-use (TOU) or tiered pricing plan.
If you use most of your electricity during off-peak hours (evenings, overnight and weekends), and have higher electricity demands, time-of-use may be your preferred pricing plan.
Learn more about each plan and how you can change your plan.
Use electricity when price is lower
If you’re a time-of-use customer, the price of electricity is lower at night, on the weekends and on statutory holidays.
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is. For example, it’s cheaper for time-of-use customers to run their washer and dryer during the day on a weekend versus a weekday.
Time your electricity use in winter
Electricity use in Ontario peaks two times per day in the winter, when most people:
- get up in the morning and turn up the heat, take a shower, make coffee, and so on
- come home at night and turn on the lights, start making dinner and so on
During these two peak-periods, when demand for electricity is highest, its cost is highest.
If you’re a time-of-use customer, on weekdays in the winter months (November to April), you will pay:
- the highest price between 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- a lower price between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- the lowest price between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Time your electricity use in summer
During the summer, electricity use in Ontario peaks in the afternoon. By this point in the day more people start to run their air conditioners on higher settings.
If you’re a time-of-use customer, on weekdays in the summer months (May to October), you will pay:
- the highest price between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- a lower price between 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- the lowest price between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.