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Flex D rate and winter credit: what changes
Two ways to pay for electricity in winter at Hydro-Québec: their prices, their conditions, peak events, and what your thermostats change.
In short
Hydro-Québec’s Flex D rate costs less most of the winter and much more during peak events.
- Winter 2026-2027: 4.886¢ or 9.103¢ per kWh off-peak, 46.463¢ during events.
- It requires a smart meter, and Flex D can’t be combined with the winter credit or with net metering.
- The winter credit is reserved for Rate D subscriptions to which it applied on March 31, 2026.
- Hilo works with Flex D; its thermostats are offered at $0 there, under certain conditions.
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Flex D in short
Flex D prices change during the winter period. Hydro-Québec’s winter period runs from December 1 to March 31 inclusive.
Under the Rates in force on April 1, 2026, so for winter 2026-2027, off-peak energy costs 4.886¢ or 9.103¢ per kilowatt-hour, and energy used during peak events, 46.463¢.
The principle fits in one sentence: the rate is reduced all winter, except during peak events.
| Winter 2026-2027 | Price at the Flex D rate |
|---|---|
| Off-peak energy | 4.886¢ or 9.103¢ per kWh |
| Energy during a peak event | 46.463¢ per kWh |
Peak events
Peak events can occur from December 1 to March 31, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Some days are excluded: December 24, 25, 26 and 31, January 1 and 2, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
The Rates limit their number: at most two events a day, at least six hours apart, four hours each, and at most 120 hours per winter.
Hydro-Québec speaks of up to 30 events per winter, mostly on the coldest days.
You’re notified before 3 p.m. the day before each event, with the start and end times.
The conditions
Flex D requires electricity to be measured by a single smart meter installed by Hydro-Québec at each delivery point.
The customer can’t use the winter credit option at the same time, or a net metering option.
In practice, a house that sells its solar production back under net metering can’t be on the Flex D rate.
Net metering and the solar connection are explained in our guide on solar connection and net metering.
The winter credit
The winter credit option pays for the energy you shed during peaks: 58.490¢ per kilowatt-hour shed, under the Rates of April 1, 2026.
It’s now reserved for Rate D subscriptions to which it applied on March 31, 2026.
Peak hours are the same as for Flex D: from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the winter period.
Since Flex D can’t be combined with the winter credit, you have to choose one or the other.
Prices on April 1, 2027
On July 30, 2026, the Régie de l’énergie approved an average increase of 2.9% in 2027 and 2.6% in 2028 for residential rates, including D, Flex D and the winter credit.
These increases take effect on April 1, 2027 and April 1, 2028, and Hydro-Québec must publish its Rates at least 60 days before.
The decision’s appendix already gives the prices on April 1, 2027:
| On April 1, 2027 | Price |
|---|---|
| Flex D, off-peak energy | 4.993¢ or 9.503¢ per kWh |
| Flex D, energy during events | 47.810¢ per kWh |
| Winter credit | 60.186¢ per kWh shed |
| Rate D, first 40 kWh per day | 7.221¢ per kWh |
| Rate D, remaining energy | 11.636¢ per kWh |
Why winter
When it’s very cold, heating can account for up to 80% of a home’s electricity consumption.
On February 3, 2023, demand for electricity reached a historic peak of 43,124 MW, according to Hydro-Québec.
Flex D and the winter credit are two ways of charging for, or rewarding, what happens during those hours.
What your thermostats change
During an event, it’s mostly the baseboards that draw power. Hence the value of a thermostat you can control: Hilo, Hydro-Québec’s smart home offer, is compatible with Flex D, and its devices turn the heat down at night or while you’re away, from your phone.
The offer read on October 30, 2026: for a Flex D customer, Hilo thermostats at no charge, installation included, under conditions and with a one-year trial. According to Hydro-Québec, the winter bill can drop by up to 20%.
Who installs them? For the Hilo brand, a master electrician sent by Hilo. For a compatible model from another manufacturer, any electrical contractor, since it’s electrical work under the law.
Before replacing a thermostat, we add up the power of the baseboards it controls: the device chosen must handle that total.
STM-Électrique is a certified Sinopé partner and works with Hilo. To go further, read our guides on Hilo thermostats and baseboard heaters and thermostats.
Thermostats to replace before winter?
We add up the power of your baseboards to choose each thermostat; the price is written in the quote.
Send my quote requestFrequently asked questions
Flex D or winter credit: which to choose?
The two can’t be combined. The winter credit is now offered only to Rate D subscriptions to which it applied on March 31, 2026; it pays 58.490¢ per kWh shed under the Rates of April 1, 2026.
Can I be on the Flex D rate with solar panels?
Not if you’re on net metering: the Rates exclude from Flex D a customer who uses a net metering option.
Does Hilo work with Flex D?
Yes, Hilo is compatible with Flex D, and customers on that rate can get its thermostats at no charge, installation included, under conditions (offer read on October 30, 2026).
When do peaks happen?
From December 1 to March 31, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., except December 24, 25, 26 and 31, January 1 and 2, Good Friday and Easter Monday. Hydro-Québec gives notice before 3 p.m. the day before each event.
How many events per winter?
Up to 30, mostly on the coldest days, and at most 120 hours of events per winter under the Rates.
Ready for winter peaks?
Sinopé or Hilo-compatible thermostats: we install them taking the power of your baseboards into account.
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Sources
Consulted on November 4, 2026.