Time-of-Day Rate Plan

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This rate is an equipment-based option available to our customers with electric thermal storage heating systems installed in their homes. You might be wondering what is electric thermal storage (ETS)? These heating systems include room units, furnaces, and in-floor heating.

By having these systems in your home, you could be eligible for the Time-of-Day (TOD) Rate. During the prime heating season (December to February), off-peak, mid-peak and peak rates apply. For all other months (March to November), you'll only experience mid-peak and off-peak. By programming your ETS to match these hours, your home will always be comfortable while also being cost-efficient. 

How Time-of-Day Rate Works

From Monday to Friday during the months of December to February, you can program your ETS to store energy at off-peak hours when electricity cost is lower. The stored heat will be released during the peak times when cost of electricity is higher. Enjoy comfort and savings on weekends and holidays which are always off-peak hours. 

Graph of time-of-day winter weekday pricing
Winter Weekdays (December to February)
  • 7:00am to 12:00pm (On-Peak): 23.337 ¢/kWh
  • 12:00pm to 04:00pm (Mid-Peak): 18.759 ¢/kWh
  • 04:00pm to 11:00pm (On-Peak): 23.337 ¢/kWh
  • 11:00pm to 07:00am (Off-Peak): 11.482 ¢/kWh
Graph of time-of-day non-winter weekday pricing
Non-Winter Weekdays (March to November)
  • 7:00am to 11:00pm (Mid-Peak): 18.759 ¢/kWh
  • 11:00pm to 07:00am (Off-Peak): 11.482 ¢/kWh
Graph of time-of-day holidays and weekends pricing
Weekends and Holidays (Year-Round)

24 Hours a day (Off-Peak): 11.482 ¢/kWh

Rate Breakdown

This rate provides 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: Changes depending on the time of day and time of year.
  • What it is: A charge based on the amount of electricity you consume measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). 
  • Why it matters: This charge fluctuates with your usage; the more electricity you use, the higher this portion of your bill will be. 
  • 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. 

    Start the Process Today!

    To sign-up for the Time-of-Day Rate, you will need to contact an electrician to coordinate an electrical inspection before your rates can be changed.

    Electric Thermal Storage and Time-of-Day Rates

    Electric thermal storage, or ETS, is an electric home heating device containing ceramic bricks that can help lower your heating costs by storing heat when electricity costs less and then releasing the heat throughout the day.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I qualify for the TOD rate?

    In order to qualify for the TOD rate, you must have an electric-based space heating system that has the capacity to store heat with appropriate timing and controls in place and approved by Nova Scotia Power.

    What days count as holidays?

    • New Year's Day
    • Good Friday
    • Easter Monday
    • Victoria Day
    • Canada Day
    • Natal Day
    • Labour Day
    • Truth and Reconciliation Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Remembrance Day
    • Christmas Day
    • Boxing Day
    • Heritage Day

    How do you know what to bill me?

    Qualifying customers will have their regular electric meter replaced with a time-of-day (TOD) meter. A TOD meter records the amount of power used, the time of day the usage occurred, and the season that we are in. The TOD meter even keeps track of the holidays when power is approximately half the standard residential rate. The TOD meter measures all activity requiring power and the customer is billed at the cost in effect when the power is used. As an example, a TOD customer doing their laundry on a weekday during the "on-peak" period is paying a premium price for the power they use. The same load of laundry during the "off peak" is at approximately half of the standard residential rate.

    How can I save money with these rates?

    Your electric space heating and hot-water systems account for the majority of the electricity you use, so a significant way to save money is by using electricity at times when the lowest rates are in effect. You can do this automatically by using thermal storage for space heating and controlling your electric water heater. It's easy to cut costs even more by using appliances like your washer, dryer and dishwasher during the "off-peak" period. Optional appliance controls can help you do this automatically. All these things mean savings on your total electricity bill.

    How can I use the majority of my power in "Off-Peak" times?

    There are various electric-based space heating systems that qualify for use with the TOD rate because they draw energy during low cost "off-peak" times and store the heat for release later in the day. This is known as thermal storage.

    A traditional electric-based space heating system uses power on demand and draws electricity as needed, when needed. An electric-based thermal storage space heating system draws the majority of its energy during "off-peak" times – saving you money.

    What rate is in effect at what time?

    The time-of-day (TOD) schedule is easy to follow. Power used on weekends, holidays and during nighttime hours (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) is charged at the "off peak" rate (approximately half of the regular residential rate). It is during this "off-peak" time that an ETS heating system will draw power, convert the energy to heat, and store it for controlled release over the course of the day. Your water heater can be controlled to heat during this time as well.

    The "mid-peak" period covers daytime power use from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. from March to November and from 12 noon until 4 p.m. in December, January and February. During this time, the cost for electricity is at the regular residential rate, while the nighttime and weekend cost remains at approximately half price.

    The "on-peak" (1.437 times the regular residential rate) period is in December, January and February from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and from 4:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. on weekdays only. During these months, energy used during nighttime hours (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) and on weekends remains at approximately half the regular residential rate.

    What do you mean by "Off-Peak" times?

    There are different times throughout the day, and different seasons throughout the year, when the demand for electricity is higher. Nova Scotia Power must be able to produce and distribute enough electricity to meet these high demand "peak" times, but during low-demand or "off-peak" times, there is plenty of generating capacity available. To encourage customers to use the majority of their electricity during "off-peak" times, Nova Scotia Power offers the TOD rate.

    What is the Time-of-Day rate?

    The time-of-day (TOD) rate is an optional rate available to residential customers. Customers who qualify for the rate can take advantage of low-cost electricity by focusing on the “time-of-day” the energy is used. The rate reflects the actual cost to generate the electricity and provides low-cost electricity during “off-peak” energy-times. Various electric-based space heating systems qualify for use with the TOD rate by storing heat and releasing it through appropriate timing and controls.

    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 to provide you with options to suit your energy usage preferences and lifestyle.

    Family of three standing in front of a house
    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
    A family of four sitting on a couch
    Time-of-Use Rate Pilot

    Shift to save! Shift your weekly energy usage in the winter to save on your annual power bill by unlocking summer savings.

    Learn More
    Two people hugging each other in front of a house
    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