Peak and off-peak electricity times in Australia The middle of the day and weekends are typically considered to be ‘shoulder’ periods. Off-peak times are generally throughout the later evening and early morning on weekdays, usually 10pm to 7am. Off-peak electricity times are those when the grid is experiencing less demand for power. However, these times may differ in some states, depending on seasonality. Typically electricity peak hours are between 3pm and 9pm on weekdays, as these are when most people are at home using power.

Peak electricity times are those when the grid is experiencing high demand. If you’re not sure which tariff you’re on, check your bill or contact your energy retailer. The reality is that the vast majority of Australian households are on a single rate tariff. You may have been delaying your household appliances for years, for no reason. If you have a single rate tariff, you could easily get confused and think you pay different rates for power at different times of day. Canstar Blue research has shown that time of use tariffs can prove a costly mistake if your energy usage habits don’t correlate appropriately. if you generally use more power during the day or late at night rather than the early evening). You should only be on a time of use tariff if you have discussed this option with your energy retailer and believe it will prove financially beneficial (i.e. To do this, you will need to have a smart meter installed at your property. You will only pay peak and off-peak electricity rates if you have signed up to a ‘time of use’ or ‘flexible pricing’ tariff. How do I know if I am on peak and off-peak electricity rates? The below example is an AGL bill for a household with a time of use tariff. In the case of a household on a single rate tariff, the peak usage component will simply reflect all energy usage (with the exception of a controlled load, if applicable), while those on a time of use tariff will see peak usage costs next to off-peak and ‘shoulder’ costs (the time between peak and off-peak hours, if applicable), as well as daily supply charges. You will find peak usage information and costs alongside all other cost details – including other tariffs – on your bill. In this instance, the ‘peak usage’ component of your bill will reflect the amount of energy used during peak electricity times. If you have a time of use tariff, you pay different prices for electricity depending on what time of day you use it.This is especially true if you have a controlled load whereby you pay for hot water heating or your pool pump at a reduced rate. However, energy retailers still refer to these prices as ‘peak usage’.

If you have a single rate tariff, you pay the same price for electricity regardless of what time of day you use it.

Most of us will see the words ‘peak usage’ on our electricity bills, but this will mean different things to different customers, depending on the type of energy tariff you’re signed up to.

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