MEPCO Peak Hours and Off-Peak Units

Electricity bills are a big part of monthly expenses for most households and businesses in Pakistan. If you live in the MEPCO region, understanding peak hours and off-peak units can help you manage your usage and reduce your bill without sacrificing comfort too much.

This guide explains, in simple language:

What peak and off-peak hours mean
How they affect your MEPCO bill
How to check the latest official timings
Practical ways to shift your usage and save money

What Are Peak and Off-Peak Hours?

Electricity demand is not the same all day. Some hours have very high demand, while others are relatively low.

Peak hours
These are the times of day and night when electricity demand is highest.
Example: Evening and early night, when people come home, turn on lights, fans, ACs, TVs, irons, etc.
Off-peak hours
These are the times when demand is lower.
Example: Late night, early morning, sometimes mid-day for certain categories.

To manage this demand, MEPCO (and other DISCOs in Pakistan) apply different tariffs (per-unit rates) for peak and off-peak hours for certain types of consumers, especially those with Time-of-Use (TOU) meters.

Why MEPCO Uses Peak and Off-Peak Tariffs

Peak and off-peak pricing is mainly used to:

Reduce Pressure On The Grid
When everyone uses electricity heavily at the same time, the system becomes stressed. Different tariffs encourage people to use more power during off-peak hours.
Promote Energy Efficiency
Higher rates during peak hours push consumers to be careful and avoid wasting electricity.
Shift Some Usage To Off-Peak Times
If people run heavy appliances like washing machines, water pumps and irons in off-peak hours, the overall system becomes more stable and efficient.

The good news for you: if you understand this system and adjust your habits slightly, you can lower your monthly bill.

How Peak and Off-Peak Units Affect Your MEPCO Bill

Not every consumer is billed differently for peak/off-peak. It depends on your meter type and tariff category.

Domestic (Residential) Time-of-Use (TOU) Meters

Some domestic consumers have TOU meters, which record electricity usage separately for:

Peak units
Off-peak units

In such cases:

Units used during peak hours are billed at a higher per-unit rate.
Units used during off-peak hours are billed at a lower per-unit rate.

On your MEPCO bill, if you have TOU:

You may see separate lines for Peak and Off-peak consumption.
The bill shows units consumed and rates applied for each.

If you don’t see separate peak/off-peak readings, you may be on a flat tariff where time-of-use is not applied, or your category is different. In that case, many of the energy-saving tips in this guide will still help you reduce total units, even if your bill doesn’t separate them by time.

Commercial and Industrial Users

Many commercial and industrial consumers are billed using TOU tariffs as per NEPRA/MEPCO rules. For them:

Managing when heavy machinery, motors, chillers and ACs run can make a very big difference.
Shifting production or heavy tasks even partly out of peak hours can save a significant amount.

If you run a shop, office, small factory or business, it is worth checking with MEPCO or your electrician whether:

You have a TOU meter
You are on a time-of-use tariff
Your current load schedule matches peak/off-peak timings

How to Check the Latest MEPCO Peak Hours and Tariffs

Peak hour timings and tariffs can change based on Government and NEPRA decisions. Because of this, you should always verify the latest official information.

Here are safe ways to check:

Official MEPCO Website
Visit the official MEPCO website and look for:
- Tariff / Schedule of Tariff section
- Consumer information or FAQs
- Notifications / circulars
NEPRA Website
NEPRA publishes schedules and tariff determinations for DISCOs, including:
- Time-of-Use tariff details
- Peak and off-peak timing definitions
MEPCO Customer Service / Helpline
You can:
- Call the MEPCO helpline
- Visit your local MEPCO office
- Ask specifically: “What are the current peak and off-peak timings for my tariff category?”
Your Latest MEPCO Bill
Sometimes, the bill or backside notes may mention:
- Tariff category
- TOU/peak-off-peak information

Always rely on official sources. Do not trust random social media posts or outdated screenshots.

Practical Ways to Shift Usage to Off-Peak Hours

Once you know your peak and off-peak timings, the main goal is simple:

Use less electricity during peak hours and
shift as much as possible to off-peak hours.

Here are practical, easy-to-follow tips.

1. Air Conditioners (ACs)

Avoid running multiple ACs during peak hours if possible.
Pre-cool rooms a little before peak hours start, then:
- Increase temperature by 1–2 degrees during peak time
- Use fans along with AC to feel cooler even at a higher set temperature
In off-peak hours:
- Run ACs more efficiently rather than turning them on and off repeatedly.

2. Water Pumps and Motors

Schedule water pumping to overhead tanks or reservoirs during off-peak hours.
Avoid running heavy motors during the costliest time of the day.

3. Washing Machines and Dryers

Plan laundry loads for early morning or late night, depending on your off-peak window.
Instead of many small loads, do full loads to save both time and units.

4. Electric Irons

Iron clothes outside of peak hours.
Collect clothes and iron them in batches rather than switching the iron on and off many times a day.
Use the correct temperature setting for fabrics to avoid unnecessary heating.

5. Electric Geysers and Water Heaters

If you use an electric geyser:
- Heat water mainly in off-peak times and use insulated storage where possible.
- Switch off the geyser when not needed – many geysers keep reheating water and wasting units.

6. Kitchen Appliances

If peak hours fall in the evening:
- Try to do heavy cooking tasks (like long oven use) a bit earlier or later if your routine allows.
Use microwaves and electric ovens efficiently:
- Avoid preheating for too long
- Cook multiple items together where possible

7. Lighting

Replace old bulbs with LED bulbs, which use far less electricity.
Make a habit of turning off lights in empty rooms, especially during peak hours.
Use natural daylight as much as possible in the day.

8. Standby Power (Phantom Load)

Many devices (TVs, chargers, routers, decoders, etc.) consume small amounts of power even when “off” but still plugged in.

Use power strips with switches and turn them off when not needed.
Unplug chargers and devices you are not using, especially during peak hours.

How Shifting Usage Can Save Money

The real numbers depend on official NEPRA/MEPCO tariffs, which change over time. But the principle is easy to understand with a simple example.

Imagine:

Peak hour rate (example only): Rs 30 per unit
Off-peak rate (example only): Rs 20 per unit

If you:

Use 3 units on heavy appliances during peak hours → 3 × 30 = Rs 90
Use the same 3 units during off-peak hours → 3 × 20 = Rs 60

You save Rs 30 per day just by shifting those units.

Over a month:

Rs 30 × 30 days = Rs 900 saved (in this simple example).

Now think about:

AC for a few hours
Pump motor
Washing machine
Iron

Shifting even part of this usage away from peak hours can:

Reduce your peak units
Increase your off-peak units
Lower your total bill, especially if you have a TOU meter

Remember: The values above are just illustrative examples. Always check the actual current tariff from MEPCO/NEPRA.

Extra Tips to Reduce Your MEPCO Bill (Beyond Peak/Off-Peak)

Even if you don’t have a TOU meter, these tips help reduce overall consumption:

Use Efficient Appliances
- Prefer inverter ACs, energy-efficient fridges and LED TVs.
- Check energy efficiency ratings when buying new appliances.
Maintain Your Equipment
- Clean AC filters regularly.
- Defrost fridges and deep freezers when ice builds up.
- Service motors and fans so they run smoothly.
Improve Home Insulation And Airflow
- Use curtains or blinds to reduce direct sunlight heating your rooms.
- Close doors/windows when AC is on.
- Use cross-ventilation and ceiling fans when weather allows.
Monitor Your Consumption
- Note down your meter reading weekly.
- Compare month-to-month usage to see if your changes are working.
Avoid Unnecessary Appliances
- Turn off extra fridges or freezers if not in real use.
- Avoid using electric heaters and geysers more than required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do peak and off-peak timings apply to every MEPCO consumer?

No. Time-of-Use (TOU) tariffs mainly apply to certain consumer categories and meters.
Some domestic users and many commercial/industrial users have TOU meters. Others may have a single-rate tariff.

Where can I see the official MEPCO peak hour schedule?

You can:
Visit the official MEPCO website
Check NEPRA tariff schedules for MEPCO
Call the MEPCO helpline or visit a local office
Always rely on official and updated sources.

If I don’t have a TOU meter, is peak/off-peak important for me?

Even if your bill doesn’t separate peak/off-peak units, the overall system still faces higher stress during peak hours. Saving energy at that time:
Reduces load on the grid
Helps avoid breakdowns and overloads
Still reduces your total units, which lowers your bill, So the energy-saving habits in this guide are useful for everyone.

Can I request a Time-of-Use meter from MEPCO?

In many areas and categories, consumers can apply for three-phase TOU meters based on load and rules. The process and eligibility can change, so:
Contact MEPCO office
Ask about TOU meter installation and requirements under your tariff category

Are these timings and tariffs fixed forever?

No. NEPRA and the government may revise tariffs and timings from time to time. Always check the latest notifications and official documents before making long-term decisions.