Smart meters begin working in RR next Wednesday

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Get ready to pay more for electricity during peak hours beginning next Wednesday!
Hydro One recently announced that residents and businesses will begin experiencing the new Time of Use (TOU) electricity rates beginning Wednesday, March 23, 2011.
The province had installed Smart Meters to all hydro customers over the past couple of years and has been rolling out the implementation of the rates.
TOU prices are based on which times of day – or days of the week – experience the highest and lowest electricity demands. When demand and production costs are at their highest, the prices will be higher; when costs go down, so will prices.
Here is the breakdown of what electricity costs will be:
Summer (May 1-Oct. 31)
Weekdays
On peak (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) 9.9¢/kwh
Mid-peak (7-11 a.m. and 5 p.m to 9 p.m.) 8.1¢/kwh
Off-peak (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.) 5.1¢/kwh
Weekends
Off-peak rates (5.1¢/kwh) apply all day Saturday and Sunday and on Holidays
Winter (Nov.10-April 30th)
Weekdays
On-peak (7-11 a.m. and 5-9 p.m.) 9.9¢/kwh
Mid-peak (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) 8.1¢/kwh
Off-peak (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.) 5.1¢/kwh.
Weekends
Off-peak rates (5.1¢/kwh) apply all day on Saturday and Sunday at holidays.

Prices shown are as of Nov. 2010 and reflect only the electricity cost on your bill. They do not include delivery, regulatory charges or the debt retirement charge. Electricity prices are set by the Ontario Energy Board and subject to change every six months in May and November.