What off-peak share makes TOU worth it?

It depends on your usage, because the normal tariff is tiered. For homes using 300–800 units/month the break-even is around 52–65% off-peak (lighter users need more — e.g. ~73% at 200 units) — use the tool above for your exact number. Overnight EV-charging homes often reach 75–85%, so they nearly always win.

Exactly when is off-peak?

Mon–Fri: 22:00–09:00. Saturdays, Sundays, National Labour Day and regular public holidays are off-peak the full 24 hours (19 such days in 2026 per MEA Announcement 32/2568) — substitution days and special cabinet-added holidays do NOT count. The schedule is identical for MEA and PEA.

How much does switching to TOU cost?

MEA (Bangkok–Nonthaburi–Samut Prakan): ~3,350 THB for an ordinary home meter (under 50(150)A) and ~4,600 THB for 50(150)–400A, VAT included. PEA (provinces) fees differ — call 1129 to confirm, then enter your real quote in the tool for the payback estimate.

Can I switch back from TOU?

Yes — TOU is voluntary and you can apply to revert, but that costs another service fee, so don't flip-flop. Decide from a stable usage pattern (2–3 real bills), not a single month.

Do Ft and VAT differ between TOU and the normal meter?

No — the Ft (0.1623 THB/unit, May–Aug 2026) applies per unit equally at all hours, and 7% VAT applies to both totals. What actually differs is the energy charge (TOU by time vs normal by tier) and the monthly service charge (TOU: 24.62 THB).

Two-Tariff Comparator

Is a TOU Meter Worth It? Compare With Real Numbers

Enter your monthly units and how much of your usage falls in the off-peak window, then see the TOU bill against the normal progressive tariff line by line — with your break-even off-peak share and the meter-change payback. Every rate is official MEA/PEA.

As of May–Aug 2026

Free, no signupAnswer in 30 secondsNo data collected

A TOU meter prices electricity by time of day: Off-Peak (2.6369 THB/unit) is below every normal tier, but On-Peak (5.7982 THB/unit) is above every normal tier. Whether it "pays" therefore depends on your household's off-peak share (nights 22:00–09:00 on weekdays + all day Sat/Sun/public holidays) — for homes using 300–800 units/month the break-even sits around 52–65% (light users need even more). This tool computes the exact break-even for YOUR usage from official rates and the current Ft (0.1623 THB/unit, May–Aug 2026).

Compare TOU vs Normal Meter

Two inputs, instant verdict

Monthly usage (units / kWh)

units

From your latest bill's units line — don't know it? Use the reverse mode on our bill calculator (linked below).

Share of usage in the off-peak window: 50%

0%50%100%

Off-peak = 22:00–09:00 Mon–Fri + all day Sat–Sun and regular public holidays (19 days in 2026 — substitution days don't count)

Or pick the profile closest to your home:

Starting estimates — fine-tune the slider for your home.

Meter-change fee (for the payback estimate)

THB

Default is the MEA fee for an ordinary home meter, ~3,350 THB (~4,600 THB for 50(150)–400A, VAT incl.) — PEA differs; call 1129 for your real quote and edit this figure.

Worked Example: 500 Units at 70% Off-Peak

This table is computed live from the same rate set as the tool above (overnight-EV homes typically sit near this profile) — try 30% in the tool instead and the verdict flips to the normal meter:

TOU is cheaper — switching saves money

TOU saves about 205.69 THB/month

Line-by-line comparison of the TOU bill against the normal progressive tariff
	TOU meter	Normal meter (tiers)
On-peak energy	150 × 5.7982 = 869.73	—
Off-peak energy	350 × 2.6369 = 922.92	—
Tiered energy charge	—	1,984.88
Energy subtotal	1,792.65	1,984.88
Ft (May–Aug 2026)	81.15	81.15
Monthly service charge	24.62	24.62
Subtotal before VAT	1,898.42	2,090.65
VAT 7%	132.89	146.35
Bill total	2,031.31	2,237.00
Effective rate paid	4.06 THB/unit	4.47 THB/unit

What Is TOU and How It Differs From a Normal Meter

TOU (Time-of-Use) prices electricity by when you use it: On-Peak (09:00–22:00, Mon–Fri) costs 5.7982 THB/unit, while Off-Peak (22:00–09:00 weekdays + all day weekends/public holidays) costs just 2.6369 THB/unit. A normal meter instead uses progressive volume tiers (2.3488–4.4217 THB/unit — the more you use, the pricier the marginal unit) regardless of time. Both add the same Ft (0.1623 THB/unit, May–Aug 2026) and 7% VAT.

The whole decision comes down to one fact: TOU's off-peak rate is below every normal tier, but its on-peak rate is above every normal tier. Homes that genuinely shift most usage into nights/holidays (e.g. EV charging after 22:00) save; homes that burn power on weekday daytimes pay more. The tool above turns that dividing line into an exact number for your home.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Switch to TOU

Usually worth it

Homes charging an EV overnight (off-peak share often reaches 75–85%)
Night-shift workers, or homes empty on weekday daytimes
Homes that schedule heavy loads (laundry, dryer, pumps) after 22:00 or on holidays

Usually not worth it

Working from home with AC running through weekday daytimes
Light users — the lowest normal tier starts at 2.3488 THB/unit, already near the off-peak price, and the TOU service charge (24.62 THB/month) is higher
Homes with unstable usage patterns — review several real bills first, since switching back costs another fee

If It's Worth It: How to Apply for a TOU Meter

Request a "change of tariff type to TOU" from your utility — MEA (Bangkok–Nonthaburi–Samut Prakan) via hotline 1130 or the MEA Smart Life app; PEA (other provinces) via 1129 or PEA Smart Plus. Bring your ID and a recent bill. There is a one-time meter-change fee (MEA ordinary home meter ~3,350 THB VAT incl. — PEA differs). From the next cycle after installation, the bill is charged on TOU.

See the full TOU meter application guide