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Home > Customers > Farm > Bill FAQ Farm Customers Frequently Asked Questions about Your Bill How much will my home/farm’s electricity
cost? How much will my home/farm’s electricity cost?Effective November 1, 2008, the first 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity you consume each month will be priced at 5.6 cents per kWh. Each kWh you use above 1,000 kWh per month will be priced at 6.5 cents per kWh. Since November 1, 2005, the seasonal price thresholds have changed twice a year to 1,000 kWh per month during the winter season (November 1 to April 30) and 600 kWh per month during the summer season (May 1 to October 31) for farm price-protected customers who receive Remote and Rural Rate Protection (RRRP). Every six months, the prices for electricity may change based on the OEB forecast for electricity prices. How can I better manage my bills?If you would like to better manage your bill payments, you may wish to enroll in our Budget Billing Plan (formerly referred to as our payment plan), where your payments are spread over the year and any fluctuations in monthly payments will be moderated and reconciled on an annual basis. You are not eligible for this plan if you are billed directly by a retailer. For energy-saving tips, go to www.PowerSaver.ca. Why must we pay for electricity lost during transmission, and before it reaches my home or business?When electricity is transmitted over long distances and passes through wires and transformers, it is normal for a small amount of power to be used or lost as heat. Electricity line losses are an unavoidable part of the electricity distribution business. For example, if we deliver 1,000 kWh to you, we must purchase a small amount more than what you use. To determine the amount of electricity we need to buy for you, we use a calculation called an "adjustment factor."
How long will we have to pay the Debt Retirement charge? For questions on the electricity marketplace legislation and policy we recommend you contact the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy at 1-888-668-4636 or www.energy.gov.on.ca If we have signed a contract, can we get out of it? There is a 10-day cooling off period from the time you sign your contract in which you may cancel the contract. You must notify your electricity retailer at the address provided on the contract by registered mail or fax that you wish to cancel the contract. Ontario law may provide you with certain options if you act within very limited time periods. Contact your lawyer or the Ontario Energy Board's customer service centre at 1-877-632-2727 for more information, or visit the OEB's website at www.oeb.gov.on.ca. However, please be aware that any contract or other document you sign with a retailer should be considered legally binding. Hydro One Networks cannot change or interfere with contracts or other documents you have signed with third parties.
back to topWhat happens if I change residence or move after I have signed a contract with a retailer?When you sign a contract with a retailer, it is for a specific period of time. This may remain in effect when you move, unless your contract states otherwise. Check the terms of your electricity contract, as contracts vary from retailer to retailer. For questions on your electricity contract, it’s best to contact your electricity retailer directly. What equipment am I/my company/farm responsible for? You are responsible for the primary or secondary power lines. What is Rural or Remote Rate Protection (RRRP)? Under the Ontario Energy Board Act and associated regulations, every qualifying year-round residence and farm with a principal residence is eligible to receive Rural or Remote Rate Protection (RRRP). It is meant to address the higher cost of serving rural customers relative to urban customers. The higher costs are related to serving a diverse customer base, a lower customer density, and a large and more varied geographic territory compared to municipal utilities. How do I know if I am receiving Rural or Remote Rate Protection (RRRP)? The amount of RRRP varies depending on your service type. Residential customers will need to check their bill to determine if they are receiving RRRP. If your service type found on the back of your bill next to "Your electricity charges" is residential - normal density then you are receiving a credit of $28.50 per month. Farm customers with a principal residence on the service will either
receive a credit of $32.10 for single phase and $23.75 for three phase.
Check your bill to see if your service type is single phase or three phase.
This is found on the back of your bill next to "Your electricity
charges." Many
of my bills are estimated. How can I be sure that I wasn't overcharged
for my electricity use at the higher price? We recognize that some customers overpaid for electricity at the higher price while others were undercharged for electricity, due to our estimating logic. To ensure that no one is disadvantaged by our estimating logic, eligible customers will receive an Estimated Bill Adjustment on their bill. This credit will be a small amount for most customers, on average just over $3.00. What is the Estimated Bill
Adjustment? It is a credit that compensates customers for any overpayment of electricity at the higher tier price, which occurred as a result of our estimating logic. Am I eligible for the Estimated
Bill Adjustment? Customers on the Regulated Price Plan (5.6 cents/6.5 cents) who receive estimated bills may be eligible for this adjustment. Only a portion of these customers would have been over-charged for their electricity use at the higher price. How often will I receive an
Estimated Bill Adjustment? If eligible, the Estimated Bill Adjustment will be applied to your bill on a quarterly basis (for customers whose meter is read on a quarterly basis) or annually (for customers whose meter is read annually) starting the end of January 2006. It will only appears on bills where an actual meter reading was obtained. How is the Estimated Bill Adjustment
calculated? We recalculated your bills based on your two latest actual meter readings to ensure you received the benefit of the price threshold - the amount of electricity that is charged at the lower price. The credit is the difference between what you paid versus what you should have been charged at the lower price. Where will the Estimated Bill
Adjustment appear on my bill? It will appear under "Your electricity charges" section of
the bill. You will also receive the following bill message: 'Estimated meter readings were used to calculate your bills since your last actual meter read. Your Estimated Bill Adjustment has been calculated to ensure you receive the lower price of electricity for your consumption up to the threshold. This credit appears under the electricity portion of your bill.' What is Hydro One's Late Payment
Charge? Bills are due on the billing date. A late payment charge is applied if payment is not received within 21 days after the billing date. Our late payment charge is 1.5% per month (19.56% annually). Late payments are calculated from the billing date to the date the next bill is issued. If partial payment is received within 21 days of the billing date, the late payment charge will apply only to the amount outstanding after deducting the partial payment. Non-payment of your electricity bill may lead to disconnection. Our first choice is to work with customers to keep their accounts in good standing. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, let us know – we’ll do our best to work out a payment arrangement that’s mutually acceptable.
You can see your new rates by choosing kWh Rates and Pricing or kWh & kW Rates and Pricing. If you are unsure which one to choose, click here. You can find out more from the Ontario Energy Board or Contact Us. |
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