Is the heures creuses option worth it for an expat household?

It is worth it if at least 30 to 40 percent of your consumption falls in off-peak hours. This typically requires an electric water heater (ballon d'eau chaude), storage heating, an electric vehicle charged overnight, or programmable appliances. The HP/HC subscription costs 19.68 to 40.20 EUR more per year than the Base option depending on meter power (6, 9, or 12 kVA), so the off-peak savings must first cover this surcharge.

Can I switch to off-peak hours for free in 2026?

With a Linky smart meter the switch is free, done remotely by Enedis within 24 hours, with no technician visit and no service interruption. With an older electromechanical meter, an on-site intervention may be billed according to the Enedis catalogue. Switching back to Base later is also free on Linky.

Does the off-peak option require a Linky smart meter?

No, but Linky makes everything easier: remote programming, free switch within 24 hours, schedule visible on the meter display, separate HP/HC consumption tracking on enedis.fr. With a classic dual-rate electromechanical meter the option works but requires a day/night relay (contacteur), and any change involves a technician visit.

Can I keep the off-peak option with an alternative supplier?

Yes. Most alternative suppliers (TotalEnergies, Engie, Octopus, Mint, Plüm, Ekwateur, Enercoop, Ilek, Vattenfall, Eni, Wekiwi) offer HP/HC tariffs, often with a 5 to 15 percent discount on the HC kWh compared to the EDF regulated tariff. The off-peak schedule itself is set by Enedis and is identical across all suppliers for a given delivery point.

Off-Peak/Peak Hours Electricity France 2026

Q: What are off-peak hours (heures creuses) in France?

Off-peak hours, called heures creuses (HC) in France, are 8 hours per day when the electricity kWh price is reduced. The remaining 16 hours are peak hours (heures pleines, HP) with a higher price. Schedules are fixed by Enedis (the grid operator) for each commune and cannot be chosen by the customer. Most schedules sit between 10 PM and 6 AM at night, and since November 2025 many communes have added a 2-hour afternoon slot between 11 AM and 5 PM.

Q: How do I check my off-peak hours schedule?

Three official methods: press the + button on your Linky smart meter until the HC time slots appear, log in to your Enedis customer account at enedis.fr under My Contract, or check the schedule on your monthly EDF or alternative supplier bill. Schedules vary by municipality and cannot be changed on individual request.

Q: What is the price difference between peak and off-peak hours in 2026?

At the EDF regulated tariff (TRV) of February 1, 2026, peak hours cost 0.2068 EUR/kWh and off-peak hours cost 0.1607 EUR/kWh — a difference of 4.61 cents/kWh or about 22 percent. By comparison, the single-rate Base option is 0.1841 EUR/kWh, meaning HC is 12.7 percent cheaper than Base while HP is 12.3 percent more expensive.

Q: How do I know if I already have the off-peak option?

Look at your electricity bill or your supplier's online account. If you see two consumption indexes labelled HP (heures pleines) and HC (heures creuses), you have the dual-tariff option. With a Linky meter, you can also confirm this directly on the meter screen by pressing the + button.

Q: Which appliances benefit most from off-peak hours?

Five appliances concentrate most of the savings: electric water heater on a day/night relay, storage heaters, electric vehicle charged overnight, washing machine and dishwasher with delayed start. A household combining several of these can place 50 to 70 percent of its consumption on off-peak hours, which makes the option clearly profitable.

1. What is the HP/HC option?

The Peak Hours / Off-Peak Hours (HP/HC) option — locally called "heures pleines / heures creuses" — is a dual-rate tariff built into the EDF regulated tariff (TRV) and offered by every alternative supplier. It splits the day into two pricing periods.

Peak Hours (HP)

Higher kWh price for 16 hours per day. Demand peaks usually fall in the 7-9 AM and 6-10 PM windows.

Off-Peak Hours (HC)

Reduced kWh price for 8 hours per day. In exchange, the HP rate is higher than the single-rate Base option and the yearly subscription costs 19 to 40 EUR more.

The point of the option is to push households to shift consumption into the off-peak window, when grid demand is lower (nights and, since late 2025, midday hours when solar generation peaks). The system helps the grid; it only helps your bill if you actually move enough usage into the off-peak slot.

Key point: HP/HC is not automatically cheaper than Base. It only pays off if a meaningful share of your consumption falls in the off-peak window — either naturally or because you equipped your home for time-shifting.

2. Enedis schedules — what changed in 2025-2026

Contrary to a common belief, off-peak schedules are not uniform across France. Enedis, the national distribution grid operator, sets the times for each commune based on local load patterns and grid capacity. Your schedule depends on where you live, not on which supplier you choose.

Important: do not rely on example schedules you find online. Only your own Linky meter, Enedis account, or bill is authoritative. Schedules are tied to your delivery point and cannot be changed on individual request.

The November 1, 2025 reform

On November 1, 2025, Enedis rolled out a new allocation rule to better absorb midday solar generation. Several million households saw part of their 8 off-peak hours shifted into a 2-hour afternoon block between 11 AM and 5 PM. Customers concerned were notified by their supplier. If you had HP/HC already, check your current schedule on Linky — it may have moved automatically.

The two possible configurations

Configuration 1: 8 consecutive off-peak hours at night

All 8 off-peak hours in a single nighttime block. Common examples:

10:00 PM - 6:00 AM
11:00 PM - 7:00 AM
9:30 PM - 5:30 AM
12:30 AM - 8:30 AM

The historical configuration, still common in many communes.

Configuration 2: 6 night hours + 2 afternoon hours

The 8 off-peak hours split into two windows:

Night window: about 6 hours (e.g. 1:00 AM - 7:00 AM)
Midday window: about 2 hours between 11 AM and 5 PM (e.g. 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM)

Increasingly frequent since November 2025 thanks to the solar reform.

How to check your exact schedule

On your Linky meter

Press the + button until the HC time slots appear on the LCD display.

On your Enedis account

On your electricity bill

Your monthly EDF or alternative supplier bill lists your tariff option and usually the time slots.

By calling your supplier

Customer service can give you the HC slots tied to your delivery point.

3. 2026 EDF regulated rates (TRV)

The EDF Tarif Bleu regulated rates were updated on February 1, 2026. The table below covers the most common residential meter sizes:

Meter power	Annual subscription	HP — EUR/kWh	HC — EUR/kWh
6 kVA	156.12	0.2068	0.1607
9 kVA	200.28	0.2068	0.1607
12 kVA	241.56	0.2068	0.1607

Prices in EUR incl. all taxes (VAT, CSPE, TICFE), as of February 1, 2026. Source: EDF Tarif Bleu Particuliers, controlled by the CRE. Rates are reviewed twice a year (typically February and August).

Comparison with the Base option

Power	Base — Subscription/yr	Base — EUR/kWh	HP/HC — Subscription/yr	Subscription surcharge
6 kVA	136.44	0.1841	156.12	+19.68
9 kVA	170.28	0.1841	200.28	+30.00
12 kVA	201.36	0.1841	241.56	+40.20

Base option: single-rate kWh at 0.1841 EUR incl. tax. Under HP/HC, the HP rate (0.2068) is 12.3 percent more expensive than Base, while HC (0.1607) is 12.7 percent cheaper. See our EDF regulated tariff 2026 guide.

4. Base vs Off-Peak option: how to choose

Before subscribing to HP/HC, you need to understand the simpler Base option, which often remains the most economical for small consumers.

Base option

Single kWh price 24/7, all year
Cheaper subscription (19.68 to 40.20 EUR/year less)
No need to schedule appliances
Best for small consumers (under 4,500 kWh/year)

Off-Peak option

Two kWh prices depending on time slot
HC kWh 12.7 percent cheaper than Base
HP kWh 12.3 percent more expensive than Base
Requires active load shifting

For a line-by-line comparison, read our Base vs Off-Peak breakdown. If you are also considering colored-day pricing, see the EDF Tempo option guide.

Quick break-even calculation

The HP/HC subscription surcharge ranges from 19.68 to 40.20 EUR/year. The HP minus HC gap is 4.61 cents/kWh. You need to consume at least 427 kWh/year in HC on a 6 kVA meter and about 872 kWh/year on a 12 kVA meter just to absorb the subscription surcharge. Real savings start beyond that threshold, when roughly 30 to 40 percent of consumption falls in off-peak hours.

5. Profitability — three real scenarios

Profitability depends on one variable: the share of annual consumption that lands in off-peak hours. Three scenarios calculated at 2026 TRV rates:

Scenario 1 — 6 kVA, 6,000 kWh/year, 25 percent in HC

Base cost: 136.44 + (6,000 × 0.1841) = 1,241.04 EUR/year

HP/HC cost: 156.12 + (4,500 × 0.2068) + (1,500 × 0.1607) = 1,326.30 EUR/year

Result: HP/HC loses 85 EUR/year. Stay on Base.

Scenario 2 — 9 kVA, 10,000 kWh/year, 40 percent in HC

Base cost: 170.28 + (10,000 × 0.1841) = 2,011.28 EUR/year

HP/HC cost: 200.28 + (6,000 × 0.2068) + (4,000 × 0.1607) = 2,083.68 EUR/year

Result: still a 72 EUR/year loss at 40 percent. You need 45 percent or more for HP/HC to win.

Scenario 3 — 12 kVA, 15,000 kWh/year, 55 percent in HC (water heater + EV + storage heating)

Base cost: 201.36 + (15,000 × 0.1841) = 2,962.86 EUR/year

HP/HC cost: 241.56 + (6,750 × 0.2068) + (8,250 × 0.1607) = 2,961.69 EUR/year

At 60 percent in HC, HP/HC saves about 96 EUR/year. Beyond 60 percent the savings keep growing.

Important caveat: the scenarios use the February 2026 EDF regulated tariff. Alternative supplier offers can lower the break-even point (HC kWh below 0.14 EUR is achievable). Compare on the official médiateur de l'énergie comparator before switching.

6. Who benefits most from the HP/HC option

Five household profiles cover nearly every profitable case:

Electric water heater (ballon d'eau chaude)

A 200 L tank for 4 people uses about 2,500 kWh/year, all programmable in HC via the day/night contactor. Alone it can cover 30 to 40 percent of HC consumption.

Electric vehicle charged overnight

A 50 kWh battery charge costs about 8 EUR in HC versus 10.34 EUR in HP. On 15,000 km/year with weekly full charging, savings reach 120 EUR/year.

Electric storage heating

Brick storage radiators charge during HC and release heat during the day. Common in homes built between 1970 and 1990.

Appliances with delayed start

Modern washing machines, dishwashers and dryers all offer delayed start. A household running 4 loads + 4 dishwasher cycles per week in HC saves 25 to 35 EUR/year.

Air-to-water heat pump

A well-regulated heat pump with a buffer tank can place 60 to 70 percent of its consumption in HC. See our heat pump France 2026 guide.

Profile to avoid: if you heat with gas, have no electric water heater, no EV and run appliances manually in the evening, HP/HC will almost always lose. Stay on Base and read our guide to reducing energy consumption.

7. Expat-specific advice

If you have recently moved to France, here are four practical points that often surprise new expats with the HP/HC system:

You cannot pick your off-peak window. Unlike Economy 7 in the UK or some US time-of-use plans, the schedule is set by the grid operator, not by you or by your supplier.
The schedule travels with the property, not with you. If you move, your new home will have a different HC slot. Always check it the day you sign the lease.
French homes often have a contactor jour/nuit on the fuse panel — a small switch labeled Auto / 0 / Forced. Set it to Auto so the water heater fires only during HC. Many landlords leave it on Forced.
Suppliers can be changed in 5 minutes online, with no service interruption and no technician visit. You keep the same physical connection and the same HC schedule.

For everything related to switching, see our regulated electricity tariff guide and Linky smart meter guide.

8. Optimizing your consumption in practice

Water heater: set the contactor jour/nuit to Auto so the tank only heats during HC. Expected saving: 80 to 130 EUR/year for a 4-person household.
Washing machine and dishwasher: use delayed start to schedule cycles inside the HC window. Caution: do not run a tumble dryer unattended overnight (fire risk).
Electric vehicle: in the car or station app, set charging to start at the beginning of the HC slot, not when you plug in. Saves 100 to 150 EUR/year for daily users.
Programmable slow cooker: an 8-hour cycle in HC uses about 1 kWh. Dinner is ready when you wake up. Useful for stews and casseroles.
If you have a midday HC slot: run the dryer or pre-heat the oven between 12 PM and 5 PM. Especially relevant for remote workers and retirees at home during the day.

Practical tip

Write your HC schedule on a Post-it next to the washing machine and EV charger. A one-hour mistake can cost 30 to 50 EUR/year if you systematically start cycles 30 minutes too early.

9. Linky meter and off-peak hours

The Linky smart meter, rolled out by Enedis since 2016 and now installed in over 38 million French homes, has transformed the HP/HC option:

What Linky changes

• Free remote tariff switch
• Switch effective within 24 hours
• HC schedule visible on the display
• Separate HP/HC tracking on enedis.fr
• No technician visit needed

What does not change

• Schedule still set per commune
• You still cannot pick your hours
• Enedis still controls the configuration
• 8 hours/day remains the rule

For a deeper dive, see our Linky smart meter complete guide.

10. Alternative suppliers offering HP/HC

More than twenty alternative suppliers compete with EDF on HP/HC tariffs. Examples seen on the market in early 2026:

TotalEnergies, Engie, Octopus, Mint: 5 to 12 percent discount on the HC kWh versus TRV.
Plüm Énergie, Enercoop, Ilek: often pricier on HC but with 100 percent renewable VertVolt-labeled offers.
Vattenfall, Eni, Wekiwi: fixed-price or TRV-indexed HP/HC plans.

The HC schedule itself is set by Enedis and is identical across all suppliers at a given delivery point. Switching suppliers is free, with no service interruption and no technician needed. See our regulated tariff guide.

11. Common mistakes to avoid

Subscribing to HP/HC without an electric water heater or EV: in 80 percent of cases the option loses 50 to 150 EUR/year. Run the numbers with your real consumption first.
Leaving the water heater contactor on Forced: the tank then heats 24/7, including peak hours. Expected loss: 80 to 130 EUR/year.
Ignoring the new midday HC slot: since November 2025 some communes gained 2 HC hours between noon and 5 PM. Not using them costs 20 to 40 EUR/year.
Wrong delayed-start setting: 30 minutes too early means a full cycle billed at peak. Confirm your schedule on Linky.
Refusing to switch back to Base when it's cheaper: the switch is free on Linky. Run the math every 12 months.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

What are off-peak hours (heures creuses) in France?▼

Off-peak hours, called heures creuses (HC), are 8 hours per day when the electricity kWh price is reduced. The remaining 16 hours are peak hours (HP). Schedules are fixed by Enedis for each commune and cannot be chosen by the customer. Most schedules sit between 10 PM and 6 AM, and since November 2025 many communes have added a 2-hour afternoon slot between 11 AM and 5 PM.

Is the option worth it for an expat household?▼

It is worth it if at least 30 to 40 percent of your consumption falls in HC. This typically requires an electric water heater, storage heating, an EV charged overnight, or programmable appliances. The HP/HC subscription costs 19.68 to 40.20 EUR more per year than Base.

How do I check my off-peak hours schedule?▼

Press the + button on your Linky smart meter, or log in to enedis.fr under My Contract, or check your monthly bill. Schedules vary by municipality and cannot be changed on individual request.

What is the price difference between peak and off-peak hours in 2026?▼

At the EDF regulated tariff (TRV) of February 1, 2026: HP costs 0.2068 EUR/kWh and HC costs 0.1607 EUR/kWh — a 4.61 cents/kWh gap (about 22 percent). The single-rate Base option is 0.1841 EUR/kWh.

How do I know if I already have the off-peak option?▼

If your bill shows two consumption indexes labelled HP and HC, you have the dual-tariff option. You can also confirm directly on the Linky display.

Can I switch to off-peak hours for free?▼

With a Linky meter the switch is free, done remotely within 24 hours, with no technician visit and no service interruption. Switching back is also free.

Does the off-peak option require a special meter?▼

You need a dual-rate meter (Linky or older bi-horaire). Linky is the easiest path: free remote programming, no on-site work needed.

Which appliances benefit most from off-peak hours?▼

Electric water heaters, storage heaters, EVs charged overnight, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers benefit most. Combining several of these can place 50 to 70 percent of consumption in HC.

Can I keep the off-peak option with a market offer?▼

Yes. Most alternative suppliers (TotalEnergies, Engie, Octopus, Mint, Plüm, Ekwateur, Enercoop, Ilek, Vattenfall, Eni, Wekiwi) offer HP/HC, often cheaper than TRV. The schedule stays the same.

How does the Linky meter handle off-peak hours?▼

Linky automatically records HP and HC consumption separately and shows the schedule on its display. Suppliers can reprogram the option remotely. 30-minute consumption curves are available on enedis.fr.

What changed for off-peak hours in November 2025?▼

Since November 1, 2025, Enedis has redistributed off-peak hours to better absorb midday solar generation. Several million homes now have part of their 8 HC hours in a 2-hour afternoon block between 11 AM and 5 PM. Check your Linky to see if your schedule moved.

Is the off-peak option available for businesses?▼

Yes. Small businesses on Tarif Bleu Pro can subscribe to HP/HC like residential customers. Larger businesses on Tarif Jaune or Tarif Vert use different time-of-use structures with peak, off-peak, summer and winter periods.

Off-Peak/Peak Hours Electricity in France: Complete 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways