⚡ Rate reference (verified for accuracy 2026-08-15):
- Standard Time-of-Use (TOU) plan — the default for most homes: on-peak 18.9¢/kWh, mid-peak 14.6¢/kWh, off-peak 9.1¢/kWh. Windows swap seasonally (summer on-peak 11 AM–5 PM weekdays; winter on-peak 7–11 AM + 5–7 PM weekdays; off-peak 7 PM–7 AM plus all weekends and holidays year-round).
- Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) plan — opt-in alternative for homes with batteries or EVs: on-peak 37.7¢/kWh (4–9 PM weekdays), mid-peak 14.6¢/kWh, weekend off-peak 9.1¢/kWh, ultra-low overnight 3.7¢/kWh (11 PM–7 AM every day).
- Rates set by the Ontario Energy Board, in effect November 1, 2026. Source: oeb.ca. The Ontario Electricity Rebate (15.7% from November 1, 2026) is applied as a credit on your bill. Homes in the town of Parry Sound itself may be billed by Lakeland Power rather than Hydro One; these provincial prices apply either way.
As summer heats up in Muskoka, homeowners in towns like Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Barrie, and Orillia are looking for ways to manage their energy costs effectively. Understanding Hydro One's TOU pricing can help you make informed decisions about energy consumption and investments in solar and battery storage. With the right approach, you can lower your bills while using more of your own clean energy.
Understanding Hydro One's Time-of-Use Rates
Hydro One implements a Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing structure that divides the day into three distinct rate periods: peak, mid-peak, and off-peak. For homeowners in Parry Sound, this means you can save money by using electricity during off-peak hours, typically overnight or during weekends. Standard TOU rates are 18.9¢/kWh on-peak, 14.6¢/kWh mid-peak, 9.1¢/kWh off-peak. On the opt-in ULO plan, on-peak is 37.7¢/kWh (4-9 PM weekdays), off-peak overnight is 3.7¢/kWh (11 PM-7 AM), mid-peak is 14.6¢/kWh.
By shifting your energy-intensive activities, such as laundry or charging electric vehicles, to off-peak times, you can lower your electricity costs. Moreover, investing in solar panels can help you generate your own electricity during the day, which can further reduce reliance on Hydro One's grid and enhance your control over energy expenses.
Benefits of Solar Energy in Parry Sound
Installing solar panels in Parry Sound lets you generate some of your own electricity. Through Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP), delivered by Save on Energy and Enbridge, eligible homeowners can receive up to $5,000 for rooftop solar. Rebates are capped and cannot exceed a share of the project cost.
Taking the solar rebate means giving up net metering for the life of the system, so ask the installer whether the rebate or net metering comes out ahead for your home. Pairing solar panels with battery storage lets you use more of your solar power in the evening, when on-peak prices apply. Check Save on Energy for the current amounts and rules before you rely on them.
Maximizing Savings with Battery Storage
A battery can store excess energy from solar panels so you can use it during peak hours when prices are highest. On the ULO plan a battery can also charge overnight at 3.7¢/kWh and power the home during the 37.7¢/kWh weekday peak. How much that saves depends on how much you use at peak, your rate plan and the system size. The HRSP battery rebate is up to $5,000, and it requires the battery to be installed together with new solar.
By combining solar and battery storage, you can claim up to $10,000 in HRSP rebates combined. Check the application steps on the Save on Energy website before installation, since some steps may need to happen first.
| Energy Rate Type | Cost (¢/kWh) | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| ULO On-Peak | 37.7 | 4–9 PM weekdays |
| ULO Mid-Peak | 14.6 | 7 AM–4 PM and 9–11 PM weekdays |
| ULO Weekend Off-Peak | 9.1 | 7 AM–11 PM weekends and holidays |
| ULO Overnight | 3.7 | 11 PM–7 AM every day |
| TOU On-Peak | 18.9 | Weekdays (summer 11 AM–5 PM; winter 7–11 AM and 5–7 PM) |
| TOU Mid-Peak | 14.6 | Other weekday daytime hours |
| TOU Off-Peak | 9.1 | 7 PM–7 AM weekdays, weekends and holidays |
Why Choose Muskoka Energy Storage?
We are a referral service for homeowners in Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Barrie, Orillia, and Parry Sound. We don't do the work ourselves: we pass your enquiry to an independent local solar and battery installer, who can assess your home, explain your options and talk you through the rebates.
The Ontario Energy Board resets electricity prices each November 1. If you are weighing solar and battery storage, an installer can look at your usage and give you a quote and an estimate for your home.
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Serving Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Barrie, Orillia, Parry Sound and all of Muskoka and Simcoe County.
Request Your Assessment →Frequently Asked Questions
To save on your Hydro One bill, consider shifting your energy usage to off-peak hours, where rates are significantly lower. Additionally, investing in solar panels and battery storage can help you further reduce costs.
Yes, you can receive rebates for both solar and battery storage, but the battery must be installed alongside new solar panels to qualify for the battery rebate. The combined maximum rebate is $10,000.
Save on Energy sets the application steps, and some may need to be done before installation. Check Save on Energy for the current amounts and rules before you rely on them, and ask a local installer how they handle the paperwork.
On the opt-in ULO plan, on-peak hours are 4-9 PM weekdays at 37.7¢/kWh (overnight 11 PM-7 AM is just 3.7¢/kWh). On the standard TOU plan, on-peak hours are 11 AM-5 PM weekdays in summer (or 7-11 AM + 5-7 PM in winter) at 18.9¢/kWh (off-peak 9.1¢/kWh).