1. When will I begin paying Time-of-Use prices?
2. How much can I expect my bill to change on Time-of-Use rates?
3. How will I know when the peak times are?
4. I have electric heat, will I pay more? What about my other appliances that run all day?
5. What price will I pay if I sign a contract with an electricity retailer company? 
6. How can I read this new Smart Meter?
7. How is the cost of the Smart Meter initiative recovered? 

1. When will I begin paying Time-of-Use prices?
Consumers across the province are making the transition to Time-of-Use rates now. The transition in Niagara-on-the-Lake will begin in August 2011. For more information on Time-of-Use Rates CLICK HERE.

2. How much can I expect my bill to change on Time-of-Use rates?
Studies to date show that most customers’ bills will change by only a few percent based on their current consumption patterns. Some will pay a bit less and some a bit more, depending on when they use electricity most. In the long run, reducing peak demand will save us all money. Right now the province has to maintain power plants that only operate during peak periods, which is very expensive.

3. How will I know what the peak times are?
You will receive advance notification before you transition to Time-of-Use rates. For more information on Time-of-Use Rates CLICK HERE.

4. I have electric heat, will I pay more? What about my other appliances, which run all day?
Most customers should not see a major change in their electricity bills with the transition to Time-of-Use rates. In a 168-hour week, only 30 to 40 hours (depending on season) are at on-peak times. There are nearly three-times as many hours at off-peak rates.

As a general rule, electric heating operates more often at night when the temperature drops. This is also when electricity is the cheapest. The cost of running cyclical appliances, like refrigerators, will average out on a weekly basis.

5. What price will I pay if I sign a contract with an electricity retailer company?
Consumers have the choice to either pay the regulated price set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), or sign a fixed price, multi-year contract with an electricity retailer. These organizations are independently licensed by the OEB and are not associated with Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro or the government. Most electricity retail contracts only include the cost for the electricity commodity (the Electricity line on your bill). All other charges on your bill will still apply, and a new line will appear on your bill called the Global Adjustment. 

Customers who choose not to have a contract with an electricity retailer will be billed using Time-of-Use rates when they are introduced. It is important to note that Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro does not conduct any door-to-door sales activities. For more information on electricity retailers, see our electricity retailers section.

6. How can I read this new Smart Meter?
The Smart Meter displays the following pieces of information in sequence: 1) a segment test where all parts of the display are turned on at once to ensure they are still functioning, 2) your kWh consumption in a five-digit format and 3) a communication network address identification number for Hydro Ottawa’s use.

7. How is the cost of the Smart Meter initiative recovered?
The cost of the Smart Meter initiative will be recovered through the electricity rates paid by all customers, in the same way that all costs for Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro's services are recovered (through the Delivery Charge). The Delivery Charge covers the costs associated with building, maintaining and operating the provincial and local electricity systems. A portion of these charges are fixed and do not change from month to month. The rest are variable and increase or decrease depending on the amount of electricity that customers use.