How time-of-use plans make a difference

Save money by shifting when you use electricity.

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Not all electricity costs the same. With a time-of-use plan, your costs depend on when you use power. Shifting a few habits can make a real difference to your bill.

Time-of-use plans charge different rates throughout the day. You’ll pay more during busy peak hours and less when demand is low.

Power is often cheapest after 9pm, overnight or on weekends, while the early-morning and early-evening hours on weekdays cost the most.

Shifting your energy use saves money. Run appliances like your washing machine, dryer, or EV charger when rates are lowest.

Smart tech makes it easy. Smart meters, timers, and scheduling tools help you automatically use power during cheaper hours.

Time-of-use plans suit flexible households. They’re ideal if you own an EV, have a busy home, or can shift when you use power.

What’s a time-of-use plan?

On a standard or flat-rate plan, you pay the same price for electricity no matter when you use it. With a time-of-use plan, the price changes depending on the time of day:

Peak hours are more expensive
Nights and weekends can be cheaper (and sometimes free, depending on your power company)
Off-peak or “shoulder” hours sit in between

When is power cheapest and most expensive?

Electricity is more expensive to generate when demand is high – for example, when everyone’s making dinner or getting ready in the morning. At night and on weekends, demand is lower and electricity is cheaper.

Most time-of-use plans in New Zealand look like this:

Peak (most expensive): 7am–10am, 5pm–9pm (weekdays)
Nights and weekends (cheapest): 11pm–7am, weekends
Off-peak (mid-price): 10am–5pm, 9pm–11pm (weekdays)

Maximising off-peak power

The key is to run energy-hungry appliances during cheaper hours whenever you can. Even small shifts make a difference over time.

Charge your EV overnight when rates are lowest. Around 70% of EV owners in NZ already do this.
Run the dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer late in the evening – most newer models have a delay-start button.
Use timers on hot-water cylinders to heat and circulate when power is cheapest.
Cook smart where possible, try to prep meals outside of the evening peak window.

Making the most of tech

Switching habits can feel tricky at first, but smart tech helps.

Smart meters: essential for time-of-use. They track when you use electricity.
Timers and delay functions: built into many modern appliances.
EV charging apps: schedule your car to charge overnight.
Home energy apps: some power companies provide apps showing your usage in real time.

Is time-of-use right for you?

Time-of-use plans aren’t for everyone, but they’re beneficial in helping you save money by shifting your usage, if you can be flexible. You’ll benefit most if you:

Own an electric vehicle (and you can charge it overnight).
Run your hot-water cylinder or other power-hungry appliances overnight.
Have a household where appliances run often, and you can shift them to evenings.
Work from home and can use appliances outside peak times.

If it’s difficult to change when you use electricity, a flat-rate plan may be a better fit.

This article was last updated 24 March 2026