· By Diego Gómez
Ontario's winter electricity rates (November 1, 2026): what a space heater costs now
The OEB's new time-of-use, ultra-low overnight and tiered prices took effect on November 1, 2026. What a space heater, oil radiator or heated blanket costs per hour under each plan.
The Ontario Energy Board announced on October 16, 2026 the electricity prices for households on the Regulated Price Plan from November 1. Here's what that means if you plug in a heater this winter.
The new prices
- Time-of-use (winter hours): off-peak 9.1¢/kWh (weekdays 7 p.m.–7 a.m., weekends and holidays), mid-peak 14.6¢ (weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m.), on-peak 18.9¢ (weekdays 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.).
- Ultra-low overnight: 3.7¢ every night 11 p.m.–7 a.m., but 37.7¢ on weekdays 4–9 p.m.
- Tiered: 11.2¢ for the first 1,000 kWh a month in winter, 13.2¢ above that.
What a heater costs per hour
| Price period | ¢/kWh | Heated throw (100 W) | Space heater or oil radiator (1500 W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ULO overnight | 3.7 | 0.4¢ | 5.6¢ |
| TOU off-peak | 9.1 | 0.9¢ | 13.6¢ |
| Tier 1 | 11.2 | 1.1¢ | 16.8¢ |
| TOU mid-peak | 14.6 | 1.5¢ | 21.9¢ |
| TOU on-peak | 18.9 | 1.9¢ | 28.3¢ |
| ULO on-peak | 37.7 | 3.8¢ | 56.6¢ |
These figures cover the electricity price only: delivery and regulatory charges are added on your bill, and the Ontario Electricity Rebate (15.7% from November 1, according to the OEB) comes off it. A heater with a thermostat also cycles on and off, so real costs are usually lower than full power.
How to pay less this winter
- On ULO, avoid weekday evenings. At 37.7¢, a 1500 W heater from 4 to 9 p.m. costs about $2.83 a day. A heated throw on the sofa costs a fraction of that.
- Use the timer. Warm the bedroom before 11 p.m. ends the expensive window, or schedule an oil-filled radiator with a 24-hour timer to run overnight at off-peak prices.
- Heat the person: a heated blanket or throw is the cheapest heat at any hour.
Plug your own rate into the heating cost calculator, and see our picks in space heaters.
Recommended
DREO 1500W ceramic space heater
- 1500 W (PTC ceramic)
- digital
- tip-over and overheat protection, child lock
The best-selling space heater on Amazon.ca right now, with more than 20,000 reviews: a quiet 1500 W ceramic heater with a real thermostat and tip-over protection.
De'Longhi oil-filled radiator 1500W
- 1500 W, 3 settings
- digital panel, 24-hour timer
- oil-filled, silent
A silent oil-filled radiator that keeps heating after it switches off.
Heated throw blanket 50×60 in
- 50 × 60 in
- 9 heat levels
- 2–10 h
Popular heated throw for the sofa, with an auto-off timer.
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