Ultra-Low Overnight Power for a Gaming PC

Our gaming PC electricity post covers a normal bill. This one is only the overnight plan. The Ontario Energy Board set Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) at 3.7 cents per kWh from 11pm to 7am, every day, starting November 1, 2026.

The cheap window and the expensive one

ULO overnight is 3.7 cents per kWh from 11pm to 7am. Weekday on-peak on that plan is 4pm to 9pm at 37.7 cents per kWh. Weekend daytime off-peak is 9.1 cents. Those are the electricity prices, not the whole bill. Delivery and regulatory charges still sit on top.

A PC drawing about 400 watts for four hours uses about 1.6 kWh. At 3.7 cents that electricity portion is roughly 6 cents. The same 1.6 kWh in the 4pm to 9pm window is closer to 60 cents before delivery. The plan rewards night play and punishes early-evening play.

Who should switch

Switch if your long sessions are after 11pm or you can move downloads and shader compiles overnight. Stay on standard time-of-use if you game from 4pm to 9pm on weekdays and will not change that. Winter time-of-use on-peak is 18.9 cents in those shoulder hours, which is still far below the ULO on-peak price.

The OEB publishes the table. Your utility (Toronto Hydro, Hydro One, Alectra, and the rest) bills it. Confirm the plan on your account before you assume the 3.7 cent rate is already active.

Frequently asked questions

Does 3.7 cents include delivery?

No. That figure is the electricity price. Delivery, regulatory charges, and tax still apply. The gap versus evening rates is still large.

Is a gaming laptop cheaper to run than a tower on this plan?

Usually yes, because it draws less while you play. The plan still helps a tower if you play after 11pm.

Can I switch plans myself?

Yes, through your local utility. The OEB says you pick time-of-use, tiered, or Ultra-Low Overnight if you have a smart meter.

Key takeaways

• ULO overnight is 3.7 cents per kWh from 11pm to 7am as of November 1, 2026.
• The same plan's weekday 4pm to 9pm price is 37.7 cents, so the clock matters.
• Four hours at about 400 watts is roughly 6 cents of electricity overnight, before delivery charges.