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By Jason Lim, REN 84424 · IQI Realty · Checked on 15 November 2026
Since July 2025, homes in Johor and the rest of Peninsular Malaysia can choose TNB’s time-of-use (ToU) tariff instead of the general domestic tariff. On ToU you pay 24.43 sen per kWh for energy off-peak and 28.52 sen at peak, against 27.03 sen at any hour on the general tariff. It pays off once roughly 36% of your electricity is used off-peak, which suits Singapore commuters, EV owners and night-time users, but not homes that cool all weekday afternoon and evening.
Quick answer
- Peak: 2pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday. Off-peak: 10pm to 2pm on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and TNB’s listed public holidays.
- Energy charge (up to 1,500 kWh a month): 24.43 sen off-peak and 28.52 sen at peak on ToU, against 27.03 sen on the general tariff (Energy Commission tariff table, valid July 2025 to December 2027).
- Break-even: off-peak saves 2.60 sen per kWh and peak costs 1.49 sen more, so ToU comes out ahead once about 36% of your kWh fall off-peak (my calculation).
- Typical difference: a few ringgit a month for most condos, more for homes charging an EV overnight. ToU does not change how much power you use.
- How to apply: through the myTNB app or portal, or at a Kedai Tenaga. RM10 stamp duty to switch and another RM10 to switch back.
- Tenants: the registered account holder applies, so a tenant needs the owner’s agreement if the account is in the owner’s name.
What the time-of-use tariff is
On 1 July 2025 the domestic bill in Peninsular Malaysia moved from tiered blocks to separate energy, capacity and network charges, and TNB opened a domestic time-of-use option (tarif masa penggunaan) at the same time.
ToU changes only one line of the bill: the energy charge. Instead of one rate for every kWh, you pay a lower rate for power used off-peak and a slightly higher rate for power used at peak. Your smart meter records when each kWh is used. ToU lets you pay less for the same usage if your timing suits it; it does not make you use less. My guide to electricity and water bills in Johor Bahru explains every line of the 2026 bill.
Peak and off-peak hours
| Day | Peak (higher rate) | Off-peak (lower rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 2pm to 10pm (8 hours) | 10pm to 2pm the next day (16 hours) |
| Saturday and Sunday | None | All day |
| Public holidays on TNB’s list | None | All day |
Across a week, 128 of the 168 hours are off-peak, about three-quarters of the time. Johor’s weekend has been Saturday and Sunday since 1 January 2025 (Malay Mail, November 2024), matching ToU’s off-peak weekend. TNB counts 15 public holidays a year; a Johor-only state holiday may not be included, so check TNB’s current list.
ToU rates vs the general domestic tariff
| Monthly usage | General tariff, any time | ToU off-peak | ToU peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 kWh | 27.03 sen/kWh | 24.43 sen/kWh (2.60 sen less) | 28.52 sen/kWh (1.49 sen more) |
| Above 1,500 kWh | 37.03 sen/kWh | 34.43 sen/kWh (2.60 sen less) | 38.52 sen/kWh (1.49 sen more) |
The other charges are the same on both tariffs, as press reports describe them:
- Capacity and network charges: 4.55 sen and 12.85 sen per kWh, on every kWh at any hour.
- Retail charge: RM10 a month, waived at 600 kWh or less.
- Fuel adjustment (AFA): set monthly; not charged at 600 kWh or less.
- Energy Efficiency Incentive (Insentif Cekap Tenaga): a per-kWh credit up to 1,000 kWh a month (Malay Mail, July 2025).
- 8% service tax: on usage above 600 kWh.
These lines depend on your total kWh, not on timing. From September to 31 December 2026 the 600 kWh line is 800 kWh for domestic customers (TNB press release, 2 October 2026); the release does not single out ToU accounts, so confirm with TNB, and check what applies from January 2027.
The break-even point: about 36% off-peak
Every off-peak kWh saves 2.60 sen and every peak kWh costs 1.49 sen extra. The two cancel out when about 36% of your usage is off-peak (1.49 ÷ 4.09). Above that share you pay less on ToU; below it you pay more. The RM10 stamp duty to switch is a one-off cost on top.
Many homes pass 36% without trying. Those that do not mostly run air-conditioning and cooking between 2pm and 10pm on weekdays.
Worked illustrations: who pays less, who pays more
The usage figures and off-peak shares below are made up to show how the tariff works, not measured JB averages. Only the energy-charge difference is shown.
| Illustration | kWh a month | Share used off-peak | ToU vs general tariff, per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom condo, couple working in Singapore, home from evening | 400 | 75% | about RM6.31 less |
| 3-bedroom condo, family of four, laundry at weekends | 600 | 55% | about RM4.56 less |
| Terrace, retired couple at home, aircon in the afternoon and evening | 700 | 35% | about RM0.41 more |
| Semi-detached, family, several aircons from 2pm to 10pm | 1,000 | 30% | about RM2.63 more |
| Terrace with an EV charged overnight | 1,200 | 75% | about RM18.93 less |
| Large home with an EV and pool pump on timers | 1,800 | 80% | about RM32.08 less |
First row: 300 kWh off-peak saves RM7.80 and 100 kWh at peak costs RM1.49 extra, about RM6.31 less a month. Small for most condos; larger for EV owners.
TNB’s own figures point the same way. About 217,000 customers switched to ToU between July 2025 and July 2026, and in a sample of 83,163 domestic ToU customers about 94% used more than 70% of their power off-peak (TNB time-of-use page, checked November 2026). Those households chose ToU because it suited them, so this is not typical of every home.
Want to know what a JB home costs to run?
Tell me the unit or area. Where the owner agrees, I share recent TNB bills and check the meter, parking and charging set-up.
WhatsApp JasonWho usually benefits in Johor Bahru
- Singapore commuters. Out all weekday, so little peak use. See living in JB and working in Singapore.
- EV owners. Charging is easy to schedule after 10pm.
- Flexible chores. Laundry, dryers, dishwashers and pool pumps can run mornings, late nights or weekends.
- Night-time cooling. Bedroom air-conditioning after 10pm is off-peak.
Homes that may pay slightly more: someone home all weekday afternoon with the air-conditioning on, or a home business running into the evening. Retirees should check their own pattern; see my guide to retiring in JB.
EV charging at home
As an illustration, if an EV adds 300 kWh a month and all of it is charged off-peak, the energy charge on those units is 300 × 24.43 sen = RM73.29 on ToU, against 300 × 27.03 sen = RM81.09 on the general tariff, about RM7.80 less. The extra kWh can still push you over the 600 kWh (800 kWh until December 2026) line and into a smaller incentive band. For charger rules in condos and landed homes see my EV charging guide, and for bigger loads my note on three-phase supply for landed homes.
Rooftop solar and ToU
Panels keep producing after 2pm, so they cover some peak-hour use. Whether ToU suits a solar home depends on how exports are credited, so ask TNB first. My rooftop solar guide covers the current scheme.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your pattern first. Use the myTNB app and TNB’s bill calculator to compare both tariffs.
- Confirm your meter. ToU needs a smart meter, or a CT-operated or remote-reading meter in larger premises, to record when power is used (Bernama, July 2025; TNB letter, August 2025). Without one, TNB must install it first.
- Apply as the account holder. Use the “Time-of-Use (ToU) Application” service in the myTNB app or portal, or visit a Kedai Tenaga. TNB’s August 2025 letter describes a two-page form on the myTNB tariff page.
- Pay the stamp duty. RM10 to switch (TNB letter, August 2025).
- Wait for activation. Malay Mail reported activation within three to five working days after approval (July 2025). Your bill will then show peak and off-peak kWh separately.
- Review after a billing cycle or two.
Switching back. TNB said in August 2025 that customers can return to the general tariff if ToU does not suit them, with another RM10 stamp duty. Malay Mail reported in July 2025 that customers must stay on ToU for at least six months before switching back. Ask TNB CareLine (1300-88-5454) which minimum period applies.
Tenants, landlords and buyers
- Tenants. Only the registered account holder can apply, so if the account is in the owner’s name, get the owner’s agreement in writing. My utilities set-up guide covers TNB accounts.
- Landlords. A tenant with a different routine may pay slightly more on ToU. Agree who decides the tariff in the tenancy agreement, and photograph the meter at handover.
- Buyers. The tariff follows the account. After completion, check the tariff and choose for your household.
- Serviced apartments on commercial title. Some are billed on a non-domestic tariff with its own ToU terms. See serviced apartment running costs.
Practical ways to make ToU work
- Use timers on washers and chargers to start after 10pm.
- Pre-cool before 2pm. Cooling before 2pm and closing curtains reduces peak use. My notes on keeping a JB home cool cover shading and insulation.
- Follow TNB’s general tips. In October 2026 TNB suggested keeping daily use under 25 kWh, setting air-conditioners at 24°C to 26°C with the timer on, and moving high-power appliances off-peak.
- Stay safe overnight. Use proper sockets, no extension cords for heavy loads, and check old wiring first: see old home wiring and fire safety in landed houses.
Where to buy if this matters to you
ToU savings follow your routine more than the postcode. Landed homes with porches suit EV charging; condos depend on building rules.
- JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar: condos for Singapore commuters.
- Iskandar Puteri: newer landed estates and condos.
- Bukit Indah and Gelang Patah: terraces and semi-Ds.
- Mount Austin: condos and landed homes side by side.
- Tebrau, Setia Indah and Molek: older landed areas; check wiring.
- Permas Jaya and Senibong: east-side condos and landed homes.
Compare them on my JB property map, and see landed home running costs and condo running costs. Foreign buyers should note that foreigners can generally buy Johor homes only from RM1 million, with only limited exceptions (for example, some serviced apartments sold by developers with state approval); no area is exempt as a whole. See the Johor foreigner minimum price guide.
More Johor living guides: Electricity and water bills in JB · EV charging at JB homes · Rooftop solar for landed homes · Cost of living in JB
Frequently asked questions
What are TNB’s peak and off-peak hours for homes?
Peak is 2pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday. Off-peak is 10pm to 2pm on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and the public holidays on TNB’s list. About three-quarters of the hours in a week are off-peak.
How much cheaper is off-peak electricity on the ToU tariff?
For homes using up to 1,500 kWh a month, the off-peak energy charge is 24.43 sen per kWh against 27.03 sen on the general tariff, 2.60 sen less. Peak is 28.52 sen, 1.49 sen more. Capacity, network and the other charges are the same on both tariffs.
Is the time-of-use tariff worth it for my home?
It works out cheaper once about 36% or more of your kWh are used off-peak. For most condos the difference is a few ringgit a month; homes that charge an EV overnight see more. Homes running air-conditioning through weekday afternoons and evenings can pay slightly more.
How do I apply for TNB’s ToU tariff?
The registered account holder applies through the myTNB app or portal, or at a Kedai Tenaga. ToU needs a smart meter. There is RM10 stamp duty to switch, and Malay Mail reported activation within three to five working days after approval.
Can a tenant switch to the ToU tariff?
Only the registered account holder can apply. If the TNB account is in the owner’s name, the tenant needs the owner to apply or agree. Put the arrangement in the tenancy agreement so bills are not disputed later.
Can I switch back to the general tariff?
Yes. TNB said in August 2025 that customers can return to the general tariff, with another RM10 stamp duty. Malay Mail reported a six-month minimum stay on ToU in July 2025, so ask TNB about the current minimum period before you switch.
Choosing a JB home with running costs in mind?
Tell me the area, the type of home and how your household uses power: commuting to Singapore, an EV, working from home. Where owners agree, I share recent electricity bills for the units I show you, and I point out meter type, parking and charging arrangements at viewings. You can also book an appointment for viewings, or a Zoom consultation if you are abroad.
Sources: Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission), TNB tariff table, valid 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2027, checked November 2026; myTNB, tariff page (time-of-use hours and guides), checked November 2026; TNB, “Time-of-Use: smart energy management” (take-up data to July 2026), checked November 2026; TNB press release, increase in protection threshold to 800 kWh, 2 October 2026; The Sun (Bernama report), on the ToU scheme, hours, rates and eligibility, 4 July 2025 (TNB news clip); The Star, letter from TNB Group Corporate Communications on ToU, 21 August 2025 (TNB news clip); The Star, “ToU vs General Tariff: what customers need to know”, 11 July 2025; Malay Mail, “Is TNB’s time-of-use plan right for you?”, 15 July 2025; Malay Mail, on Johor’s return to a Saturday–Sunday weekend from 1 January 2025, 21 November 2024; Sinar Daily, “TNB’s Time of Use (ToU) scheme now open to all customers”, 8 July 2025
Jason Lim, REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6. General information checked on 15 November 2026 from the dated sources listed above; not financial advice and not a promise of any bill or saving. Tariffs, the fuel adjustment and government measures change; confirm the current ToU terms with TNB before you switch, and agree utility arrangements with your landlord or tenant in writing.