Time-of-Use (ToU) Peak Hours: How Evening Rates Affect Your Bill
If your connection uses a Time-of-Use (ToU) meter, the same kilowatt-hour costs more during the evening peak window than during off-peak hours. This guide covers how to confirm you are on ToU, which loads to shift, and a typical seasonal peak table used across many XWDISCO contexts — always confirm the window printed on your own bill or the current NEPRA schedule.
Independent guide. Not affiliated with MEPCO, PITC, WAPDA, or NEPRA. Peak windows and rupees-per-unit change — verify on your current statement.
What a ToU meter records
A ToU (Time-of-Use / TOD) meter stores consumption in at least two buckets: peak and off-peak. Domestic consumers with higher sanctioned load are often moved onto a ToU tariff category under prevailing NEPRA practice (commonly discussed around higher kW thresholds — confirm the threshold and category printed on your bill). Your statement then shows separate peak and off-peak units instead of only slab totals.
Single-phase slab consumers generally do not pay time-based peak premiums — they still face rising slab rates as monthly units climb. Check your bill: if Peak / Off-Peak columns appear, ToU applies to you.
Important: confirm on your bill
ToU peak windows vary by season and tariff; confirm on your bill or NEPRA schedule.
The table below is a typical / illustrative seasonal pattern commonly published for XWDISCO ToU guidance. Your meter clock and the window printed on your statement take priority over any website table — including ours. Rupees-per-unit also change with NEPRA determinations.
Typical ToU peak windows (illustrative)
| Season (months) | Typical peak window |
|---|---|
| December – February | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| March – May | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| June – August | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| September – November | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
All other hours in the day are typically billed at the off-peak ToU rate. Peak units also attract FPA, QTA, and GST on top of the energy charge — see FPA & taxes.
Why peak hours hurt more than “a little”
Peak rates are set well above off-peak rates to discourage evening grid stress. Running a water motor, iron, washing machine, or multiple ACs inside the peak window stacks expensive units that then also inflate GST and per-unit adjustments. Solar net-metering / net-billing exports mostly happen in daytime off-peak hours — evening peak import is still charged at peak unless you have storage covering that window.
Step-by-step: shift load without losing comfort
1. Pre-cool before the window
Cool rooms in late afternoon at the off-peak rate, then raise set-points or rely on fans once peak begins.
2. Park flexible loads
Schedule laundry, irons, ovens, and water pumps outside the peak block. Timers help if clocks are forgotten.
3. Fill tanks early
Run the motor so overhead tanks are full before the peak start time for your season.
4. Check Peak vs Off-Peak columns
After one cycle, compare columns on the official statement via the official PITC portal ↗.
Model the difference with the peak / off-peak calculator — planning only, not an invoice. Pair with summer cooling habits and the appliance calculator.
What can go wrong
- Following a website table that does not match the window printed on your bill.
- Assuming solar exports cancel evening peak imports without storage.
- Treating slab meters as ToU (or vice versa) without checking Peak/Off-Peak columns.
- Shifting only small loads while ACs still dominate the peak block.
Next action: view peak units on your official bill
We do not display bills ourselves. Open bill.pitc.com.pk where Peak / Off-Peak lines appear (when ToU applies).
Official PITC Portal ↗Frequently asked questions
Are these peak hours “official for every meter”?
No website table replaces your bill. Treat our seasonal grid as typical/illustrative XWDISCO-style windows. Confirm on your statement or NEPRA ToU schedule.
Do single-phase meters have peak hours?
Usually not under ToU. They use slab tariffs. Watch total monthly units instead of the clock — unless your bill shows Peak/Off-Peak columns.
Does solar cancel peak charges automatically?
No. Panels generate mainly in daylight (off-peak). Evening peak imports still bill at peak rates without sufficient battery coverage.
How do I know if I am on ToU?
Open the official bill via your 14-digit reference number. Separate Peak and Off-Peak unit lines mean ToU billing is active.
Author note: Independent educational content. Verify peak windows, tariffs, and meter category with official MEPCO / NEPRA / PITC sources.
Sources & verification
Official sources sit above third-party summaries. Open these pages to confirm the current figure or process.
- NEPRA Tariff SchedulesCheck current ToU peak windows and rates — seasonal tables on this site are illustrative
- PITC Bill PortalYour printed Peak / Off-Peak columns are authoritative for your meter
- Peak Hour CalculatorPlanning tool for shifting load — not an official schedule