“Time-of-use” pricing comes into effect for hydro smart meter users
Posted November 1, 2010 7:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Time-of-use pricing has come into effect for smart meter users in Ontario, meaning changes to their hydro rates to times when people are more likely to use electricity.
Starting Monday and lasting until the end of April, peak hours are now two hours longer.
The peak hours have extended to between 7 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
About a million households are on smart meters across the province.
After switching to smart meters, Toronto Hydro says about 60 per cent of its customers saw their monthly bills rise.
However, they maintain it is the weather and not time of use rates that has a much bigger impact.
The Toronto Hydro website has added some energy saving suggestions for the colder weather.
One tip suggests people keep the drapes or shades on south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight heat homes.
For a complete list of of energy saving tips and more information on time-of-use pricing go to www.torontohydro.com.