How does it work today?
For many households, the principle is simple: the day is divided in two with eight off-peak hours (cheaper) and sixteen peak hours (more expensive). Result : we use washing machines, water heaters and recharge our electric cars at night to save money (up to 30%). But with changes in our habits – electric cars, electric heating – and the rise of renewable energies, this division no longer really fits reality.
Basically, the network is sometimes overloaded when everyone consumes at the same timewhile there are periods when electricity is mass produced but little used. Hence the idea of reviewing everything.
What awaits you in 2025
The big new thing is that the off-peak time slots will be adjusted according to the seasons. In winter, they could be scheduled for times like 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. then 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., where electricity is most available. In summer, with solar production booming, we are talking more about 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., then 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and we would even add two other slots, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
But be careful: to take advantage of these new hours, you will need to monitor your contract carefully and be ready to adjust your uses. Getting your devices running at the right time will require a bit of organization.
And concretely, what does that change for you?
If you are already on a peak/off-peak contract, you are used to it. But to continue saving, you will have to adapt your habits. For example :
Water heater: program it to heat at the new off-peak times.
Household appliances: use washing machines and dishwashers on these beaches.
Electric car: charge it during the cheapest hours.
Nothing revolutionary then, but you will have to adapt and adopt new habits, sticking to these corrected times.
The reform starts in August 2025, but its deployment will be gradual over two to three years. If you adapt and manage to follow the movement well to accommodate the new off-peak hours, your bill should not explode. Otherwise… prepare for some less pleasant surprises.
We tested the Ecojoko on Mac4Ever: a box to save electricity and display its consumption live, which we highly recommend, with or without off-peak hours to adapt and better understand your electricity consumption. You can read the review here, and order it below:
