It’s a hot summer afternoon, the air con’s on, the oven’s preheating dinner and the TV’s on in the background. Then you glance at the electricity bill – it’s way higher than expected.What went wrong?Timing.
Electricity prices go up and down throughout the day, so running energy-intensive appliances during peak hours means paying the highest prices. But what if you could use the same amount of energy and slash your electricity bill – simply by shifting some of your electricity consumption to off-peak electricity times?
In this guide, we explore “what time is off peak electricity”, “when it applies“, and practical strategies for making the most of cheaper electricity without sacrificing comfort.
What is the off peak electricity?
Off-peak electricity times are times when demand for electricity is lower and cheaper electricity rates apply. The times depend on your location and energy provider, but they usually occur at night or on weekends, when most people are resting, air conditioning use is reduced, and some people are working night shifts. As a result, energy retailers reduce electricity prices.
During peak hours, electricity demand surges, putting pressure on the Australian power grid. So, energy providers offer lower off-peak prices to get people to use electricity when demand is lower.
Also, off-peak electricity can be used for certain stand-alone appliances (like electric water heating systems on dedicated circuits), which can be billed at off-peak rates.
If you can, try to schedule high energy-consuming activities (like washing clothes, washing dishes or charging your electric vehicle) during off-peak hours to effectively save on electricity bills without reducing energy use. This will also help balance the load on the power grid for smarter energy management.
When is on peak and off peak for electricity?
Peak time
Sometimes, like in the middle of the day and in the early evening, loads of people are using electricity at once. That’s when demand for electricity goes through the roof! These are the peak times! On weekdays, for example, loads of people are using electricity at the same time between 2pm and 8pm. That puts a massive strain on the power grid. So, to cover the costs, suppliers usually charge higher prices then.
Off peak time
Off-peak times are when demand for electricity is low. This is usually late at night or early in the morning, when most people are asleep and electricity consumption is significantly reduced. Typically, off-peak times are between 10pm and 7am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays.Since the grid is less stressed at these times, suppliers offer lower electricity prices. If you’ve got energy-hungry appliances like washing machines or dishwashers, using them during off-peak times can help you save money and ease the burden on the grid.
Here are the peak and off peak times for different suppliers in different regions of Australia.
EnergyAustralia peak and off-peak electricity times
| State/Region | Peak Time | Shoulder Time | Off-Peak Time |
| Victoria (Citipower) | 3pm to 9pm everyday | Not applicable | 9pm to 12am and 12am to 3pm everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) – Summer (Nov 1 – Mar 31) | 2pm to 8pm weekdays | 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) – Winter (Jun 1 – Aug 31) | 5pm to 9pm weekdays | 7am to 10pm everyday | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) – Non Summer/Non Winter (Apr 1 – May 31, Sep 1 – Oct 31) | Not applicable | 7am to 10pm everyday | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| South East Queensland (Energex) | 4pm to 9pm (demand tariff, not time of use) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| South Australia (SA Power Networks) | 12am to 1am, 6am to 10am and 3pm to 12am everyday | 10am to 3pm everyday | 1am to 6am everyday |
AGL Peak and Off-Peak Electricity Times
| State/Region | Peak Time | Shoulder Time | Off-Peak Time |
| Victoria (Citipower) | 3pm to 9pm everyday | Not applicable | 9pm to 12am and 12am to 3pm everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) | 2pm to 8pm weekdays (excluding public holidays) | 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends and public holidays | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| South East Queensland (Energex) | 4pm to 8pm weekdays | 7am to 4pm and 8pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| South Australia (SA Power Networks) | 6am to 10am and 3pm to 1am everyday | 10am to 3pm everyday | 1am to 6am everyday |
Origin Peak and Off-Peak Electricity Times
| State/Region | Peak Time | Shoulder Time | Off-Peak Time |
| Victoria (Citipower) | 3pm to 9pm everyday | Not applicable | 9pm to 3pm everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) – Summer (Nov 1 – Mar 31) | 2pm to 8pm weekdays | 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) – Non Summer/Non Winter (Apr 1 – May 31, Sep 1 – Oct 31) | Not applicable | 7am to 10pm everyday | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| New South Wales (Ausgrid) – Winter (Jun 1 – Aug 31) | 5pm to 9pm weekdays | 7am to 5pm and 9pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| South East Queensland (Energex) | 4pm to 8pm weekdays | 7am to 4pm and 8pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends | 10pm to 7am everyday |
| South Australia (SA Power Networks) | 6am to 10am, 3pm to 1am everyday | 10am to 3pm everyday | 1am to 6am everyday |
Electricity tariff types
Single rate tariffs
With a single-tariff electricity price, the cost is fixed no matter when you use electricity during the day. The price stays the same for both peak and off-peak hours, which makes your bill easier to work out and more transparent.
Lots of Australians go for this tariff option because it’s simple to understand and there’s no need to think about the difference in electricity costs at different times of the day. This is also called a standard or fixed tariff, and it’s great for people who have a regular lifestyle and use their appliances during peak times. It’s a no-fuss choice for families who are home more in the evenings on weekdays and want to plan their electricity use.
Time of use tariffs
Time-of-use tariffs, also called variable rate tariffs, change depending on the time of day. Usually, the price is higher during peak hours and lower during off-peak hours. If you can change your energy habits and use big appliances during off-peak hours, you can really cut your electricity costs.
There are three types of tariff:
- Peak times: when demand is highest and electricity is most expensive.
- Shoulder times: when demand is moderate and electricity is moderately priced.
- Off-peak times: when the grid is lightly loaded, electricity is cheapest.
Time-of-use tariffs are great for people who can change how much electricity they use, like,
- commuters who are often away for work
- people who work from home
- people who spend a lot of time at home at the weekend
You’ll need a smart meter or a time-of-use meter to record how much electricity you use during different times though.
Controlled load tariffs
The controlled-load tariff is for big, energy-hungry appliances like hot water systems, underfloor heating and pool pumps. These appliances are metered and charged separately, so you won’t be affecting the electricity bill for other household stuff.
With the controlled load tariff, you can get lower electricity prices, but you should know that these appliances only get electricity for a specific number of hours each day. So, if you’ve got a water heater or pool pump that needs to be on for a specific number of hours each day, this tariff might not be right for you.
This tariff is great for households with big appliances that they don’t want to pay a lot for. For example, if your water heater only needs to be on during off-peak hours, the controlled load tariff can help you save on electricity costs without having to worry about the equipment running too much.
Demand tariffs
Demand pricing is a way of billing customers. It combines a standard electricity rate with an additional ‘demand’ charge. This ‘demand’ charge depends on the household’s maximum electricity consumption over a certain period of time. So, if you use several high-energy appliances at the same time for a short period of time, your bill will increase as a result.
This pricing model was originally used for businesses, but recently it has also been used by people’s homes to encourage people to use electricity in a more energy-efficient way.
Unlike traditional fixed rates, demand tariffs can be calculated in different ways depending on the energy supplier, for example
- Calculating your maximum electricity consumption at a certain point in time
- Taking the average maximum electricity consumption over a period of time
- Adjusting the demand charge according to the season
Demand tariffs are good for people who can control how much electricity they use. For example, if you can avoid using several high-power devices (like an oven, air conditioner and washing machine) at the same time for a short time, you can reduce your demand charge and pay less for your electricity.
The idea is to encourage people to use less electricity at the times of day when the energy companies have to pay the most. So, the less electricity you use at the busiest times, the less you will have to pay.
Why electricity peak and off peak times are important?
In a time-of-use billing model, the cost of electricity depends on the time of day you use it. If you can, you should try to use the cheapest times to use your appliances to save money. For example, you can run high-energy appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and air conditioners during off-peak or flat-peak periods.
As well as saving money, using electricity at off-peak or mid-peak times can help keep the electricity grid stable. Using electricity during off-peak times helps balance the demand for electricity throughout the day and reduces the risk of the grid becoming overloaded.
Some electricity suppliers offer discounts or incentives to households that shift their electricity consumption to off-peak or mid-peak hours. This means that by shifting your electricity consumption, you can save money on your electricity bill and potentially benefit from additional incentives.
The division of electricity consumption into peak and off-peak periods is beneficial to both consumers and the grid operator.
- For consumers, this means you can save money on your electricity bill and not feel as bad about the higher prices.
- For the grid, it means less pressure during the busiest times and better use of the grid.
3 Strategies to Maximize Electricity Savings
You can save money on your electricity bill and help to keep the power grid under less pressure by using off-peak electricity rates. Here are three effective ways to help you save as much money as possible during off-peak hours.
Automate High-Consumption Appliances
One of the easiest ways to reduce energy costs is to automate appliances that use a lot of energy. This means using smart plugs, timers or programmable appliances to schedule appliances to run when electricity prices are lowest. For example, you could set the washing machine to run at night or the dishwasher to start after midnight. This can save you a lot of money.
Store Energy for Peak Hours
Another effective way to use electricity is to store it. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station lets you store electricity when the price is low and use it when the price is high.
Thanks to its high-capacity battery system, you can charge your devices at night when the price is lowest and then use your important appliances during peak times. This is a very useful method for homeowners who have to pay more for electricity at different times of the day.The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 can power a wide range of appliances, from refrigerators to home office equipment, reducing reliance on expensive peak-time electricity.
Pair Solar Panels
If you have solar panels, solar energy can help balance your energy use during the day. Combining it with a battery system lets you store excess energy during the day so that you can use it during both peak and off-peak hours. Some energy suppliers offer feed-in tariffs, which allow you to sell excess solar power to the grid, so you can maximise your financial benefits.
Charging the battery with home backup generator and off-peak electricity will give you a flexible and economical energy strategy. This approach ensures that you can use the most affordable energy at any time, reduce your dependence on the grid and lower your overall energy costs.
Final Thoughts
Now you know ‘what are the off peak times for electricity’. A smart electricity strategy will keep your home comfortable and save you money. You can reduce your home energy consumption and help to reduce pressure on the power grid by adjusting the operating times of high-energy-consuming devices. You can also store electricity using a solar energy storage system. This means you can use electricity for free during peak times.
Changing your electricity usage habits does not mean sacrificing comfort. It is a smarter way of managing energy. Start today by changing your daily electricity usage times to take advantage of off-peak electricity times rates. This will help you to have lower electricity bills. It will also help to create a more efficient and greener future. Every choice you make is shaping a smarter energy future!
FAQs
How do I find my off-peak hours?
Off-peak hours are simply times when electricity demand is lower, like late at night or on weekends. In New South Wales, off-peak hours are usually from 10pm to 7am every day, while in Queensland, off-peak hours may be from 9am to 4pm. You can find out when these are by checking your electricity bill or getting in touch with your energy provider.
Are solar panels worth it with off-peak rates? (solar panels in the section)
Yes! Even when the price of electricity is low, solar panels are still a great option. Now, it’s true that most of the low-price period is at night, when solar panels just can’t do their thing. But, if you can store the electricity you make during the day in batteries, and you use a lot of electricity at night, then solar panels can be a great help to you. They can help you to effectively reduce your electricity costs. And if you’re planning to stay in your lovely home for a long time, you’ll have plenty of time to recoup the cost.
Can a home backup generator work with off-peak plans?
Yes! You can absolutely use a domestic standby generator with the off-peak electricity tariff. But if you’ve got a fuel generator for everyday use, it’s probably not worth it because fuel costs usually end up being more than the off-peak electricity tariff. If you install a solar energy system, that’s a great way to reduce your electricity costs by storing excess solar energy for later use.