Base Rate vs Off-Peak Hours France 2026: Comparison

1. Quick Comparison Base vs Off-Peak Hours

Choosing between the Base rate (Tarif Base) and the Off-Peak Hours option (Option Heures Creuses) is one of the most impactful decisions on a French household's annual electricity bill. According to the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), approximately 45% of French households have opted for off-peak hours under EDF's regulated tariff (Tarif Bleu) — often by default at connection setup without prior calculation. This default choice doesn't suit all profiles.

This page focuses on the quantitative comparison and decision. For the detailed mechanics of the off-peak option (Enedis slots, equipment programming, day/night contactor), see our complete guide to Off-Peak/Peak Hours 2026. For very flexible profiles tolerating 22 red days per year, EDF's Tempo option can generate even more savings than classic off-peak hours.

Base Rate

Single kWh price: €0.1841 incl. VAT, 24/7
Lowest subscription: €136.44 at 6 kVA
No time constraints
Simple and predictable bill

Off-Peak Hours Option

Reduced off-peak price: €0.1607 (-12.7% vs Base)
Higher peak price: €0.2068 (+12.3% vs Base)
Higher subscription: €156.12 at 6 kVA (+€19.68/year)
Net gain up to €250/year for equipped households

2. EDF February 2026 Regulated Tariffs

Here are EDF's regulated sales tariffs (TRV) for Tarif Bleu in effect as of 1 February 2026 for the three most subscribed power levels by households in France. These tariffs serve as the reference for comparing offers from alternative suppliers. For a complete TRV overview, see our EDF regulated tariff 2026 guide.

Power	Base Option		Off-Peak Hours Option			HC subscription surcharge
	Sub./yr	kWh	Sub./yr	Peak	Off-Peak	€/yr
6 kVA	€136.44	€0.1841	€156.12	€0.2068	€0.1607	+€19.68
9 kVA	€170.28	€0.1841	€200.28	€0.2068	€0.1607	+€30.00
12 kVA	€201.36	€0.1841	€241.56	€0.2068	€0.1607	+€40.20

* Prices incl. VAT published by EDF as of 1 February 2026. The regulated tariff is set by public authorities on CRE proposal. Tariffs subject to change.

Key point: The off-peak break-even point depends not only on the percentage of consumption shifted but also on subscribed power. The higher the power, the greater the off-peak subscription surcharge — meaning more kWh must be shifted to amortise it.

3. Five Household Profiles with Figures

To make the comparison concrete, here are five typical household profiles with detailed Base vs Off-Peak calculation at EDF 2026 regulated tariff. Figures are based on ADEME 2024 average consumption by housing typology and equipment.

Profile 1: Student in a 25 sqm studio, 6 kVA

Consumption: 1,800 kWh/year. No electric water heater (collective), gas heating. Daytime presence 50%.

Item	Base	Off-Peak (10% in HC)
Annual subscription	€136.44	€156.12
Consumption	1,800 × 0.1841 = €331.38	1,620 × 0.2068 + 180 × 0.1607 = €363.99
Total/year	€467.82	€520.11

Verdict: Base, €52.29/year savings vs off-peak.

Profile 2: Couple in 70 sqm 2-bed, 6 kVA, electric water heater

Consumption: 4,500 kWh/year. 200L water heater on contactor, gas heating, delayed-start washing machine and dishwasher.

Item	Base	Off-Peak (38% in HC)
Annual subscription	€136.44	€156.12
Consumption	4,500 × 0.1841 = €828.45	2,790 × 0.2068 + 1,710 × 0.1607 = €851.76
Total/year	€964.89	€1,007.88

Mixed verdict: off-peak costs €42.99 more at 38% HC. Break-even at 6 kVA for 4,500 kWh: 47% HC. Optimisation needed (push dishwasher delayed start) or stay on Base.

Profile 3: Family of 4 in a 110 sqm house, 9 kVA, electric water heater + heating

Consumption: 9,800 kWh/year. 300L water heater, convector radiators + one storage radiator, delayed-start appliances.

Item	Base	Off-Peak (44% in HC)
Annual subscription	€170.28	€200.28
Consumption	9,800 × 0.1841 = €1,804.18	5,488 × 0.2068 + 4,312 × 0.1607 = €1,827.77
Total/year	€1,974.46	€2,028.05

Verdict: off-peak €53.59/year more expensive — HC share still insufficient (44%). Pushing HC share to 50% by better programming the storage heater flips the gain positively.

Profile 4: Family of 4 house 110 sqm, 9 kVA, water heater + electric vehicle

Consumption: 11,500 kWh/year. 300L water heater, gas heating, EV charging 7,000 km/year programmed at night (1,700 kWh shifted to off-peak).

Item	Base	Off-Peak (52% in HC)
Annual subscription	€170.28	€200.28
Consumption	11,500 × 0.1841 = €2,117.15	5,520 × 0.2068 + 5,980 × 0.1607 = €2,102.87
Total/year	€2,287.43	€2,303.15

Mixed verdict: at 52% HC the balance is close (off-peak +€15.72). With 55% HC share (intensive EV charging), net gain reaches +€30 to €60/year. See our heat pump guide to optimise further.

Profile 5: 140 sqm house, 12 kVA, heat pump + water heater + EV

Consumption: 14,000 kWh/year. Air-to-water heat pump for heating and hot water, nighttime EV charging, programmable appliances. Strong off-peak optimisation.

Item	Base	Off-Peak (55% in HC)
Annual subscription	€201.36	€241.56
Consumption	14,000 × 0.1841 = €2,577.40	6,300 × 0.2068 + 7,700 × 0.1607 = €2,540.23
Total/year	€2,778.76	€2,781.79

Mixed verdict: at 55% HC the balance is close (off-peak +€3). Above 58% (typical with optimised heat pump + EV >10,000 km/year), off-peak becomes clearly winning with net gain above €100/year.

Actual break-even depends finely on your real HP/HC split. With a Linky meter, check your monthly distribution on your Enedis online account and recalculate quarterly.

4. Profitability Calculation Method in 5 Steps

Here is the exact method to calculate in under 10 minutes whether off-peak is profitable for your household, based on EDF 2026 regulated tariffs.

Quick calculation method

Read your annual consumption from your latest EDF bill or online account. Also note your subscribed power (6, 9 or 12 kVA).
List your off-peak-shiftable equipment: electric water heater (35-45% of total if contactor-controlled), EV charging at night (annual cycles × 50 kWh), delayed-start washing machine and dishwasher (1-2 kWh per cycle × 100-150 cycles/year), programmable heat pump.
Estimate the kWh shiftable to off-peak: add the previous equipment consumptions. A family with water heater + EV can reach 50-60% of total consumption in off-peak; a studio without trigger equipment stays below 15%.
Apply the net gain formula:
Annual net gain = (HC kWh × €0.0461) - Off-peak subscription surcharge
Off-peak subscription surcharge: €19.68 at 6 kVA, €30 at 9 kVA, €40.20 at 12 kVA.
Decide: if net gain is positive above €20/year (to absorb estimation uncertainty), switch to off-peak. Otherwise, stay on Base. Recalculate after 12 months with actual distribution.

6 kVA example: a household consuming 5,000 kWh/year with 40% in off-peak (i.e. 2,000 kWh) gains (2,000 × €0.0461) - €19.68 = €92.20 - €19.68 = €72.52 net annual gain. Off-peak is clearly advantageous.

To reduce your total consumption before even choosing an option, read our guide to reducing energy consumption. ADEME estimates a household can save 15-25% on its bill through energy-saving habits alone.

5. Decision Matrix by Equipment

This matrix summarises the Base vs Off-Peak decision based on your equipment and habits. Read it by crossing the rows (your profile) with the columns (recommendation).

Equipment / Profile	Base	Off-Peak	Reason
200L+ electric water heater	-	✓✓	35-45% of consumption in HC
EV charged at night	-	✓✓	50 kWh charge: €8 HC vs €10.34 HP
Air/water heat pump	-	✓✓	Preheats buffer tank in HC
Storage electric heating	-	✓✓	Nighttime thermal charge
Standard electric convectors	✓	-	No shifting possible
Gas or solar water heater	✓	-	No ECS shift
Nighttime air conditioning	-	✓	Summer nighttime usage
Pool with programmable filtration	-	✓✓	Filtration 8h/day in HC
Studio without heavy electric equipment	✓✓	-	Subscription surcharge not amortised
Intensive daytime remote work	✓	-	Massive peak consumption
Retiree mainly home during day	✓	-	Except contactor-driven water heater
Holiday home (low occupancy)	✓✓	-	Consumption too low to amortise HC sub

✓✓ Strong recommendation, ✓ Moderate recommendation, - Not applicable.

6. When to Switch from Base to Off-Peak Hours

Several life events justify switching from Base to off-peak hours. Once these changes occur, redo the profitability calculation before subscribing.

Installing an electric water heater replacing a gas one. The contactor-controlled heater automatically shifts 35-45% of ECS consumption to off-peak.
Buying an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. With a wall charger programmed to start at the off-peak slot opening, net gain exceeds €100/year at 5,000 km/year.
Installing a heat pump air/water or air/air. The PAC can be controlled to operate intensively during off-peak hours, especially for hot water.
Adding a swimming pool with programmable filtration pump. Filtration runs 6-10h/day, fully alignable on off-peak slots.
Lifestyle change: moving to night shifts, abandoning remote work for an outside-home occupation.

The option change is free with a Linky meter and effective within 24 hours. If you also change supplier, the transition happens without electricity interruption.

7. When to Exit Off-Peak Back to Base

Returning to Base is as simple as the reverse switch. Three signals indicate it's time to exit off-peak.

Insufficient actual HP/HC distribution. After 12 months on the Enedis account, less than 25% of consumption falls in off-peak — the subscription surcharge is no longer amortised.
Removal of trigger equipment. Selling the EV, replacing the electric water heater with gas or thermodynamic, stopping pool use.
Lifestyle change. Full-time remote work, retirement with majority daytime presence, new baby requiring massive peak-hour consumption (cooking, machines, TV).

Returning to Base is free with Linky and without commitment. You can test multiple cycles: switch to off-peak when buying an EV, return to Base if you sell it. No penalty applies on the regulated tariff or most market offers.

8. Expat-Specific Considerations in France

Foreign nationals moving to France often face the Base vs Off-Peak decision at connection setup, sometimes without realising it. A few practical points specific to expat life in France.

Don't default to off-peak. Many EDF agents propose HC by default. If your rental has gas heating and no electric water heater (common in older Parisian or Lyon apartments), Base is almost always more profitable.
Check your power level first. Most 1-2 bedroom expat rentals are subscribed at 6 kVA — sometimes 9 kVA in larger flats. The subscribed power impacts the HC subscription surcharge directly.
Use English-speaking support. EDF, TotalEnergies, ENGIE and several alternative suppliers offer English customer service. Don't hesitate to ask for the comparison sheet before signing.
Verify your meter type. Most French homes now have a Linky smart meter installed. If yours is still electromechanical, switching options may involve a technician fee — though this case is becoming rare in 2026.
Renters can change supplier. French tenancy law allows tenants to choose any electricity supplier — the landlord cannot impose EDF. Compare offers using the official ombudsman's comparator before signing.

For a broader view on moving to France, see our moving to France guide and our alternative energy suppliers comparison.

9. Alternative Suppliers: Should You Leave EDF?

Alternative suppliers often offer more aggressive off-peak prices than EDF's regulated tariff. Here are the ranges observed in the French market in 2026 based on published tariff grids:

TRV-indexed offers with discount: 5-15% reduction on kWh versus EDF Tarif Bleu, in Base and off-peak.
Enhanced off-peak offers: some suppliers offer an HP/HC spread of up to 7 c€/kWh (vs 4.61 c€ at EDF), maximising gain for HC-friendly profiles.
Real-time dynamic offers: hourly indexation to spot price, interesting for very flexible profiles but more volatile.
Green offers: renewable origin certificates, sometimes at no surcharge. See our green electricity guide.

To compare offers objectively, use the official comparator from the French national energy ombudsman at energie-info.fr. Also read our guide to changing electricity supplier which details the procedure (free, no power interruption, within 21 days).

10. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price difference between Base rate and Off-Peak Hours at EDF's regulated tariff 2026?▼

At EDF's regulated tariff of 1 February 2026 (6 kVA power), the Base rate kWh costs €0.1841 versus €0.2068 during peak hours (+12.3%) and €0.1607 during off-peak hours (-12.7%). The annual subscription is €136.44 in Base and €156.12 in HP/HC, meaning €19.68 additional cost per year for the off-peak option. For 9 and 12 kVA, this surcharge rises to €30 and €40.20 respectively.

At what percentage of off-peak consumption does the off-peak option become profitable?▼

The profitability threshold depends on annual consumption. For a 6 kVA household consuming 5,000 kWh/year, the off-peak option becomes profitable from 9% of consumption shifted to off-peak hours (i.e. 450 kWh). For 8,000 kWh/year, the threshold drops to 5%. Above 30% of consumption in off-peak, the net gain exceeds €100/year on a 9 kVA household. Source: calculation based on EDF 2026 regulated tariffs.

Which household profile should choose the Base rate in France?▼

Base rate suits households that consume mainly during the day and have no major programmable nighttime usage. Typical cases: studio or 1-bedroom apartment without electric water heater (1,500 to 3,000 kWh/year consumption), remote worker in a well-insulated apartment, active retiree during the day, young professional rarely home at night. If less than 25% of your consumption can be shifted to off-peak, stay on Base.

Which household profile should choose the Off-Peak Hours option?▼

Off-peak is profitable for households equipped with a 200L+ electric water heater controlled by a day/night contactor (35-45% of total consumption in off-peak), an electric vehicle charged at night (50 kWh charge: €8 off-peak vs €10.34 peak), storage heating, or a programmable heat pump. Families consuming 6,000 kWh/year or more with delayed-start washing machines and dishwashers get net savings of €100-250/year.

How to quickly calculate whether to switch from Base rate to Off-Peak Hours?▼

Three-step method. Step 1: read your annual consumption in kWh from the last bill. Step 2: estimate the share of this consumption that could be placed between 11pm and 7am (water heater, washing machine, EV charging). Step 3: multiply these shifted kWh by €0.0461 (HP-HC spread TRV 2026), then subtract the subscription surcharge (€19.68 at 6 kVA, €30 at 9 kVA). If the result is positive, off-peak is profitable.

Can you combine Base rate and EDF's Tempo option?▼

No, Base, Off-Peak Hours and Tempo are three mutually exclusive options at EDF's regulated tariff. Tempo already incorporates an HP/HC split crossed with 3 day colours (300 blue, 43 white, 22 red). The choice is made at subscription, but switching is free with Linky. For flexible profiles consuming little during the 22 red days, Tempo can generate up to 30% savings versus Base.

Is the Base rate simpler to understand than Off-Peak Hours?▼

Yes, Base rate applies a single price 24/7, making the bill fully predictable. You multiply consumption by €0.1841 (TRV 2026) and add the subscription. Off-peak requires knowing your exact slots (set by Enedis by municipality), distinguishing peak and off-peak consumption on the bill, and programming your equipment. The simplicity has a cost: no optimisation margin in Base.

How much does it cost to switch tariff option between Base and Off-Peak?▼

With a Linky smart meter, switching tariff option is free and effective within 24 hours remotely, with no technician visit (Enedis 2026 catalogue). With an old electromechanical meter, an Enedis technician visit may be charged according to the current service catalogue. Returning to Base is possible at any time with no commitment, which allows testing off-peak for 12 months then switching back if it doesn't suit.

Do alternative suppliers offer better Base and HC tariffs than EDF?▼

Yes, according to the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), over 40 alternative suppliers operate in France in 2026. Many offer a 5-15% discount on the kWh versus EDF's regulated tariff, both in Base and off-peak. The HP/HC spread is sometimes wider with alternatives (up to 20% reduction on the off-peak kWh). Compare via the official ombudsman's comparator at energie-info.fr.

Does a heat pump change the Base vs Off-Peak calculation?▼

Yes, an air/water or air/air heat pump typically adds 3,000 to 6,000 kWh of annual consumption depending on heated surface. If the heat pump is programmed to produce hot water and preheat the buffer tank during off-peak slots, up to 50% of this additional consumption shifts to off-peak. Net gain then exceeds €200/year on 9 or 12 kVA, making off-peak almost systematic for heat-pump-equipped households.

Does the option work the same way for expats living in France?▼

Yes, the choice between Base and Off-Peak applies identically to all French residents regardless of nationality. Expats often subscribe by default during connection setup, sometimes signing for off-peak without verification. Calculate carefully if your household uses gas heating, lacks an electric water heater, or has erratic schedules — Base is frequently more profitable in expat 1-2 bedroom rentals in urban areas. EDF and most alternatives offer English-speaking customer support.

When should I exit off-peak to return to Base rate?▼

Three signals indicate that a return to Base is appropriate. First, after 12 months on off-peak, your Enedis account shows less than 25% of consumption during off-peak hours. Second, you removed a trigger appliance (sold the EV, replaced the electric water heater with a gas or solar unit). Third, your lifestyle changes (full-time remote work, retirement with majority daytime presence). Return is free within 24h with Linky.

How do I find my exact off-peak hours in France?▼

Your off-peak slots are set by Enedis (the distribution network operator) municipality by municipality based on local grid capacity. Three methods to know them: press the + button on your Linky meter to display the slots, check your Enedis account on enedis.fr in the My Contract section, or read the detail of your EDF or alternative supplier bill. Since the 1 November 2025 reform, some slots now include an afternoon window (between 11am and 5pm) to absorb solar production.

Base Rate vs Off-Peak Hours France 2026: Comparison and Profitability

Key Takeaways