Time-of-Use Rate Pilot

Time-of-Use Rate Pilot

Shift to save and unlock summer savings!

Mother with a child holding a plate by a dishwasher

Shift your energy use during winter weekdays for April to October savings. Under this pilot rate there are three different rates, depending on the season, the day, and the time of day. You can count on savings during the summer months, which means annual energy and bill savings by the end of the year.

 

This plan is ideal for customers who can reduce or shift their energy use outside the two daily peak periods from Monday to Friday in the winter.

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Did you Know?

One of the many benefits of installing smart meters on homes and businesses like yours is our ability to launch new and innovative solutions, which provide customers with more control over their energy use and costs.

Learn more about smart meters >

How Time-of-Use Rate Pilot Works

Winter weekdays (November to March) are divided into peak and off-peak hours. Rates are higher during the peak hours when demand for electricity on the grid is high.

  • Take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours (including weekends and holidays) by doing laundry over the weekend, setting the dishwasher to run overnight, or turning down the thermostat. 
  • In non-winter months (April to October) the price for electricity is less than the current standard rate and remains flat, so it does not change based on time of day. 

TOU Rate Graphic_Comp

DatesHoursRate
November to March

Peak Hours

07:00 am to 11:00 am

05:00 pm to 09:00 pm

34.634 ¢/kWh

Off-Peak Hours

09:00 pm to 07:00 am

11:00 am to 05:00 pm

17.703 ¢/kWh
April to October24/712.198 ¢/kWh

 

Rate Breakdown

These rate plans provide the potential annual cost savings to customers who reduce or shift their energy use to off-peak hours. Our current residential standard energy charge (domestic service tariff) is 17.703¢ per kilowatt hour year-round plus the $19.170 per month customer charge. 

Base Charge on Your Bill (Fixed Charge)
  • Charge: $19.170 per month.
  • What it is: A set monthly fee that covers a portion of the cost of providing services to customers, such as maintaining the electrical grid, meters, customer service, and billing.
  • Why it matters: This charge remains the same regardless of how much electricity you use.
Energy Charge (Variable Charge)

Charge: Varies based on the time of day.

WINTER SEASON (NOVEMBER 1 TO MARCH 31)

Peak Hours: Twice a day from Monday to Friday.

  • 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Off-Peak Hours: All remaining hours from Monday to Friday.

  • 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
  • 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Plus all hours on weekends and statutory holidays!

SUMMER SAVINGS (APRIL 1 TO OCTOBER 31)

Reduced rate 24/7 during this 7-month period. This is where customers see most of their savings!

What it is: Charges based on the amount of electricity you consume measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) based on the time of day, and the time of year.

Why it matters: These charges fluctuate with your usage and when you use your power; the more electricity you use in peak periods, the higher this portion of your bill will be. The more energy you use in off-peak periods, the more you will save.

All Nova Scotia Power rates for customers are subject to detailed review by stakeholders and the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB). Following this detailed review process, Nova Scotia Power must obtain the NSUARB’s approval for those customer rates. Rates are subject to change and become effective only after being approved by the NSUARB.

Apply Now. Waitlist Open.

Recruitment for the Time-of-Use Rate Pilot is now closed, but we're accepting applications for the waitlist. Active recruitment will open later in October 2024. Join the waitlist to reserve your spot!

About the Pilot

Through this Time-of-Use Rate Pilot, we are looking to examine how shifts in the time of day that energy is used can benefit both customers and the electrical grid. This rate provides opportunities for customers to save money on their annual power bill by reducing or shifting their energy use from peak hours when demand is high for electricity, to off-peak hours when demand is low.

The rate pilot is effective from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025. Participation is optional and customers can leave the pilot at any time and switch back to the Standard Residential Service Rate. Switching between Time-of-Use and Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilots is not permitted after the season begins (November 1st, 2024).

Energy Shifting Tips

The key to saving money when you're on Time-of-Use is making small changes to your routine and planning ahead. You can reduce your electricity costs by shifting some of your energy use away from the two peak periods (7 am - 11 am and 5 pm - 9 pm) on weekdays.

  • Do your laundry on weekends

Do your laundry (particularly drying cloths) on weekends or during off-peak hours (12 pm - 5 pm and 9 pm - 7 am)

  • Run your dishwasher at night

Delay or schedule your dishwasher to run at night, after 9 pm.

  • Schedule your thermostats

Program your electric smart thermostats to lower the temperature during peak hours, especially when you're not home. 

  • Charge your EV at night

Get ready for your busy morning commutes by setting your Electric Vehicle charger to charge over night or during off peak hours. 

  • Prep ready-to-go dinners
Try using your electric range during off-peak hours – like meal prepping on weekends. That way during the week you simply warm up meals in lower energy use appliances like your microwave or toaster oven. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are peak hours? What are the rates and times for peak and off-peak hours?

Peak hours are the times during the day when there is high demand for electricity during the winter months (November 1 – March 31). 

For the Time-of-Use rate, peaks times are 7:00am – 11:00am and 5:00pm – 9:00pm Monday to Friday. After 9pm, weekends and holidays are all off-peak. 

For the Critical Peak rate, peak events are 4 hours in length and can occur any time between 6:00am and 11:00pm every day but holidays.

Rates during these hours vary by plan.

Could I end up paying more on my power bill?

Your bill is based on how much energy your household uses. If you cannot reduce or shift your energy to off-peak hours on winter weekdays between November and March, there is a chance your bill could increase. Your bills may increase in the winter, particularly on the Time-of-Use rate plan, which is offset with lower rates in the summer months. 

Will my data be kept confidential?

Yes. Your account data, including energy use information and savings, will be kept confidential. NS Power takes the privacy of its customers very seriously. For further information on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Can I opt out after enrolling?

We encourage you to participate for the full year to experience potential savings on your bill, but you can switch back to the Residential Standard Plan at any time, without penalty. If you move during the pilot, participation at your current household will end and you are required to fill out a new application for your new home.

How do I apply and what happens next?

Applications for the pilot program are now closed but we are accepting applications for our waitlist. To join the waitlist, complete this application form.  

How much money can I save?

Everyone’s energy use is different, but if you reduce or shift your energy use to off-peak hours, you have the potential to save money on this pilot. Visit Energy Conservation Tips on our website for tips on how you can reduce your usage.

How long is the pilot?

This voluntary rate trial will run from November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024. 

See more FAQs

Understanding Our Rates

How are rates set?

We are regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB)—they are responsible for ensuring customers receive power at fair rates. The NSURB uses a “cost of service” method which ensures that rates are set at a level that will allow us to recover costs plus a reasonable profit. Without a reasonable return, investors would not be willing to invest in the utility. 

A full breakdown of how rates are set by the NSUARB can be found on their website.

What's included in my power bill?

Residential and business customers have two charges on their bills: a base charge and an energy rate. The base charge is a set charge for the cost of delivering and maintaining electricity service. The energy charge is the price per kWh of energy used, which changes based on energy use habits for that period. The energy charge includes costs associated with the fuel used to make electricity and energy efficiency programs. 

Demand customers—which are primarily commercial or industrial customers with higher peak power demand periods—also have a demand charge. Demand billing is a standard practice used throughout North America to fairly recover costs from some business customers who use more than a specified amount of electricity during peak periods. Demand bills have two components: the total amount of electricity used (the energy charge), and the highest amount used within a 15-minute interval at any time during the customer’s billing period (the demand charge). 

What's included in my energy charge? 
A graph showing the energy charge breakdown

The visual above is for demonstrative purposes only based on the standard residential rate (domestic service tariff). The monthly base charge would be additional.

FUEL (Fuel Adjustment Mechanism - FAM)

The cost of fuel and purchased power we require to serve customers and meet their electricity needs. This includes many forms of fuel like oil, coal, and biomass, as well as purchased power, including from hydro and wind facilities, as well as imported electricity. Learn more about fuel-related costs.

OPERATIONAL COSTS & INVESTMENTS (Non-Fuel)

The cost to invest in and maintain assets, such as generation facilities (making of power) and transmission and distribution infrastructure (delivery of power). Examples include our power plants, fleet trucks, and poles and wires.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS (Demand Side Management Cost Recovery Rider - DSM)

The cost of delivering energy efficiency programs that encourage cost savings for customers. Learn more about Energy Efficiency Programs.

Resources

Rate Options for Your Budget

We offer different rate plans that allow customers to choose the right plan for their budget and lifestyle.

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Time-of-Day Rate

This equipment-based rate plan is available for our customers with electric thermal storage heating systems, including electric thermal storage room units, furnaces and in-floor heating systems.

Learn more about Time-of-Day Rate
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Standard Residential Service Rate

This is our standard, default rate, also known as the Domestic Service Tariff. It is a flat rate throughout the day, all year round.

Learn more about Standard Residential Service Rate
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Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot

Beat the peak - Save money by shifting your energy use away from periods of peak demand for electricity.

Learn more about Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot