For eligible TNB domestic accounts in Peninsular Malaysia, ToU separates peak and off-peak energy charges. Confirm meter and account eligibility, review actual usage timing and compare the full bill. A smart meter alone does not establish that ToU is active.
Peak and off-peak periods
| Day | Peak | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 2 pm–10 pm | Midnight–2 pm and 10 pm–midnight |
| Saturday–Sunday | None | All day |
These periods appear on TNB’s tariff page, checked on 11 September 2026. Use the current official schedule when deciding. Do not extend a weekend rule to other days unless TNB expressly confirms it.
Energy charges are only part of the bill
| Monthly consumption | General energy charge | ToU peak | ToU off-peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 kWh or below | 27.03 sen/kWh | 28.52 sen/kWh | 24.43 sen/kWh |
| Above 1,500 kWh | 37.03 sen/kWh | 38.52 sen/kWh | 34.43 sen/kWh |
The Energy Commission’s schedule covers 1 July 2025–31 December 2027. These are energy charges, not all-in prices. Capacity and network charges, fuel adjustment, applicable incentives, retail charges and taxes also affect the amount payable. Use TNB’s current full-bill calculation rather than treating one energy rate as the total price.
The same kWh can produce different results
Take a hypothetical 500 kWh month in the lower consumption category. General energy charges alone are 500 × RM0.2703 = RM135.15.
| Example split | ToU energy charge only | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 100 kWh off-peak; 400 peak | RM138.51 | RM3.36 higher |
| 300 kWh off-peak; 200 peak | RM130.33 | RM4.82 lower |
These calculations hold total consumption constant and exclude other bill components. For the energy charge alone, the break-even off-peak share is about 36.4%: (28.52 − 27.03) ÷ (28.52 − 24.43). Compare the complete bill before deciding whether to switch.
Moving 100 kWh from peak to off-peak reduces the energy component by RM4.09 under these rates. Running additional appliances just to increase off-peak use can still increase overall spending.
Examine an ordinary week
Write down when the largest loads run. Evening cooling is different from cooling mainly after 10 pm. A household able to do laundry during the day has different flexibility from one whose only practical laundry time is after dinner.
Use myTNB interval data where available. TNB describes half-hourly consumption information for smart-meter customers. Include ordinary working days and weekends; avoid basing the decision on a holiday, visitors or an unusually hot week.
- Separate flexible tasks from essential continuous operation.
- Estimate energy, not simply appliance counts.
- Check whether changes fit work, sleep and neighbours.
- Repeat the comparison when household routines change.
Confirm the meter and account first
The meter must support time-based recording and billing. Confirm eligibility and activation with TNB through myTNB or its support channel. If the property uses a landlord’s submeter, clarify who holds the utility account and how charges reach you.
Keep the switching confirmation and verify the tariff on the subsequent bill. Do not assume a request takes effect immediately. This guide covers the TNB domestic decision in Peninsular Malaysia, not Sabah Electricity, Sarawak Energy or other suppliers.
Choose changes you can maintain
Shift only suitable tasks. Do not interrupt refrigeration, medical equipment, purifier hygiene cycles or other essential operation to chase off-peak rates. Follow appliance instructions and normal electrical precautions.
For appliance-level estimates, see air-purifier electricity costs and water-purifier electricity costs. For a purchase, the aircond energy-label guide explains efficiency separately.
Save recent bills, confirm eligibility, test a realistic usage split and compare the complete bill. A theoretical saving has little value if the schedule does not work for the household.
Frequently asked questions
Does every household save with ToU?
No. Peak-heavy use can cost more on the energy component. Timing, total consumption and the other bill components affect the result.
Are weekends off-peak?
TNB lists Saturday and Sunday as off-peak all day. Check its current official schedule for any other day-specific treatment.
Are these sen-per-kWh rates the whole bill?
No. They are energy charges. Other components, adjustments, incentives and taxes can affect the amount payable.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked on 11 September 2026.
- TNB: tariff periods and switching considerations
- Energy Commission: Peninsular tariff schedule (PDF)
- TNB: interval consumption information
- TNB: domestic ToU background (PDF)
