The Ontario Government has mandated all Ontario Electricity Distributors to install Smart Meters on every home and small business by the end of 2010. Over the next 20 years, Ontario will need to refurbish, rebuild, replace, or conserve 25,000 megawatts of electricity generating capacity more than 80% of Ontario's current capacity - at an estimated cost of $70 billion.The Government expects that conservation will help us to make the best use of our existing electricity resources and slow the growth in our demand.

Ontario is introducing new tools like Smart Meters to help conserve electricity. Smart Meters are expected to encourage us all to think more about how and when we use electricity and to help us better understand and manage our own household's energy use. Smart meters will track the amount of electricity we use, the time of day and the day of the week we use it, and send that information electronically to Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro. The new meters will eliminate the need for manual and estimated readings and will ensure meter readings are precise. Once the Time-Of-Use (TOU) rates are introduced to Niagara-on-the-Lake in AUGUST 2011, as mandated by the Ontario Energy Board, the price you pay will vary by the time of day, the day itself and the season.

For information on Time-of-Use Pricing Periods and how to take advantage of Time-of-Use ratesclick here.

Please note that if you currently have a contract with an energy retailer or if you sign one, you may not be able to take advantage of Time-of-Use Rates.

Should you have any questions please contact our office at 905-468-4235.