LESCO Web Bill
Complete official guide to LESCO peak and off-peak hours schedule, electricity unit rates, TOU meters, and proven strategies to lower your monthly electricity bill.
Managing electricity consumption during peak hours is the single most effective way for electricity consumers in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Okara, and Nankana Sahib to prevent shocking monthly electricity bills. Under regulations set by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) and Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), electricity rates vary dramatically depending on the time of day.
During peak hours, national energy demand surges as residential, commercial, and public lighting systems operate simultaneously. To discourage excessive load on the national transmission grid, LESCO charges a higher per-unit tariff during these 4 critical evening hours.
Evening window when national electricity demand is at its maximum peak.
Remaining hours of the day and night with substantially lower per-unit cost.
In power distribution engineering, a Peak Hour refers to a designated time window during which electricity consumption across the grid reaches its highest level. Because demand is exceptionally high, power generation companies are forced to activate expensive fossil-fuel peaker plants (such as diesel or heavy fuel oil turbines) to prevent grid collapse. This significantly increases generation costs per megawatt-hour.
To balance grid stability and promote demand-side management, LESCO divides every 24-hour day into two operational categories:
LESCO adjusts its peak hours schedule four times throughout the calendar year to match daylight duration and seasonal changes in consumer habits. Below is the official season-wise timetable:
| Months / Season | Peak Hours (4 Hours Daily) | Off-Peak Hours (20 Hours Daily) |
|---|---|---|
| December to February Winter Peak |
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 9:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Next Day) |
| March to May Spring Transition |
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Next Day) |
| June to August Summer Peak (AC Peak) |
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 11:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Next Day) |
| September to November Autumn Transition |
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Next Day) |
Seasonal Reminder: If you are checking your bill during hot summer months (June to August), your peak window starts latest at 7:00 PM and ends at 11:00 PM. During winter, it shifts earlier to 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
How much more does electricity cost during peak hours compared to off-peak hours? The table below provides a clear comparison of the baseline Time of Use (TOU) tariff applicable to three-phase residential connections (Tariff Category A-1 TOU):
| Tariff Parameter | Peak Hours Rate | Off-Peak Hours Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Energy Charge | ~Rs. 46.85 / unit | ~Rs. 34.53 / unit | +Rs. 12.32 / unit (+35.6%) |
| Applicable Taxes | GST (18%), FPA, ED, FC Surcharge | GST (18%), FPA, ED, FC Surcharge | Proportional to base amount |
| Effective Estimated Cost | ~Rs. 62.00 – Rs. 68.00 / unit | ~Rs. 46.00 – Rs. 51.00 / unit | Substantial savings off-peak |
Suppose you run a 1.5-ton inverter air conditioner (consuming approximately 1.5 units per hour) for the 4 hours of peak time each day for 30 days:
One of the most common questions asked by Pakistani electricity consumers is: "Does my home have peak hours?"
Here is how LESCO categorizes consumers:
Single-phase meters do NOT have Time of Use (TOU) billing. You are billed based on cumulative monthly unit slabs (Protected: 1-100, 101-200; Unprotected: 201-300, 301-700+ units). It does not matter whether you run appliances at 2:00 PM or 8:00 PM—your unit rate remains uniform throughout the month.
If your property has a Three-Phase digital meter or a Solar Net Metering green meter, you are mandatorily placed on the Time of Use (TOU) tariff. Your meter contains an internal clock that registers peak and off-peak units separately.
You can confirm your tariff category by checking the top section of your electricity bill. If it displays Tariff: A-1 TOU or A-2 TOU, peak hour rates strictly apply to your connection.
Modern electronic Time of Use (TOU) meters installed by LESCO automatically cycle through multiple numeric reading codes on their LCD screen. To check your accumulated peak and off-peak readings:
Implementing these simple daily habits will noticeably reduce your units in the expensive peak row on your next LESCO duplicate bill:
Want to see how many peak and off-peak units were charged on your latest electricity bill? You can check and download your official duplicate bill copy for free on our web portal:
Peak hours vary depending on the season:
• Dec to Feb: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Mar to May: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Jun to Aug: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Sep to Nov: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
During evening hours, millions of households switch on lights, air conditioners, fans, and televisions simultaneously. This sudden spike strains the power grid and forces utility companies to run high-cost thermal power plants. The higher peak tariff discourages unnecessary electricity usage during these stressful hours.
Because peak hours occur in the evening after sunset, solar panels produce zero energy during this period. Therefore, electricity consumed from the grid during peak hours is billed at the high peak rate unless you use an energy storage system (batteries). In net metering bills, peak import units are accounted for separately from off-peak export units.
Yes. If your connected load is 5 kW or higher, or if you apply for a Three-Phase meter replacement through the Name/Load/Tariff Change procedure, LESCO will install a digital TOU meter.
Disclaimer: lescobillcheck.pk is an independent public-service informational portal. Peak hour schedules and tariff slabs are determined by NEPRA and the Ministry of Energy, Government of Pakistan, and are subject to official revision. For emergency breakdown or power failure complaints, please contact LESCO helpline 118.