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Home > In
Your Community > New Projects
> Smart Meters
 Why
do we need them?
Between now and 2025, Ontario must build almost a whole new electricity
system. This includes replacing about 80 per cent of our current generating
facilities as they retire over time, and expanding the system to meet
future growth. Building new supply is vital. So is conservation. That's
why the Government of Ontario is introducing new tools like smart
meters that will encourage all of us to think more about how and when
we use electricity. At Hydro One, we're proud to support the provincial
government's goal of installing a smart meter in every Ontario home and
business by 2010.
 What
is a smart meter?
Smart meters look similar to the conventional meters but the display is
digital and there are no dials. Unlike conventional electricity meters
that can only measure the total amount of electricity used over a billing
period, smart meters record how much and when electricity is used, typically
hourly, and transmit this information automatically. So in the future,
your smart meter will record your total electricity consumption hour by
hour and send that information to Hydro One through a wireless or another
form of technology. With the ability to measure when electricity is used,
different prices can apply at different times of the day. With time-of-use
pricing, you will have a new way to manage your electricity use and your
bills.
When will I get my smart meter?
Hydro One has approximately 1.2 million meters to replace
province-wide. We began the meter installation process in 2006 and will
continue until our target is met by 2010. They will be rolled out across
the province in a pre-determined geographic sequence in order to make
the process as cost-effective and speedy as possible.
Where are you installing smart meters?
Please check our smart
meter map (PDF - 705 KB) to see where Hydro One smart meter installations
are underway and where they are planned. Installers will leave a card
at your door when your meter has been replaced.
 When
will you begin reading my meter automatically through the smart metering
system?
As a first step in introducing Hydro One's smart
metering system, customers with smart meters that are communicating
will begin receiving bills produced with an automated meter reading. Automated
meter reading will roll out across the province progressively, over time,
as the communication network is installed in your community. You will
be notified that you have been migrated to automated meter reading with
a message on your first bill.
Will I be charged Time-of-Use pricing once my bill is produced using
an automated meter reading?
No. It's important to note that while automated meter reading is beginning,
there is no immediate change to the price that you are paying for electricity.
When will I be charged Time-of-Use Prices?
A start date for time-of-use pricing is not yet in place for most utilities.
The smart metering system consists of four main components:
- The smart meters;
- The communication network that enables the meters to communicate;
- The computer and billing system; and
- Integration with the centralized provincial Meter Data Management
Repository that will manage and store meter readings from utilities
across the province.
All of these components need to be cost-effectively put in place and
tested in advance of the smart metering system becoming fully operational
and the introduction of time-of-use pricing. We'll notify you well in
advance of when you can begin to take advantage of this new pricing structure.
- Measure how much energy you use and when you use it
— providing you with the opportunity to take action to better
manage your hydro bill by:
- Lowering your electricity use during peak (higher cost) periods;
and
- Shifting your electricity use to off-peak (lower cost) periods.
- Smart metering systems will store your electricity use information
— allowing you to review your electricity use information
the next day through the internet or telephone.
- No more estimated bills — your smart meter will
automatically and regularly send your readings via wireless technology.
- Help us to better manage power outages
- Reduced need to build power generation facilities —
as all Ontarians shift energy use away from peak periods.
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