Time-of-Use Rates for Electricity
A new way to think about how you use electricity

The province of Ontario is introducing smart meters and Time-of-Use rates for electricity to encourage residents to reduce their electricity use during peak times and help the environment.

Over the past four years, Horizon Utilities has installed 215,000 smart meters in homes and small businesses in Hamilton and St. Catharines. Now that the vast majority of our customers have a smart meter installed, we are beginning to switch batches of customers over to Time-of-Use pricing for the electricity they consume. All customers, with the exception of those who pay for their electricity on a contract with an energy retailer, will be switched over to this new rate structure by the end of 2010. Other electric utilities across Ontario are following the same process.

We Will Give You Plenty of Advance Notice
Since we will be migrating customers to Time-of-Use rates in batches, we will send you a letter advising you of your household's changeover date approximately two months in advance of the change. This will be followed by a reminder bill insert enclosed with your last hydro bill on the old rates.

Please note that this changeover to Time-of-Use rates will happen automatically. There is no need to do anything.

A New Way to Think About Electricity
Our Time-of-Use web pages have been prepared to assist you in understanding how the new Time-of-Use rate structure works and how you can use Time-of-Use rates to better manage your energy costs.

If you have any questions, please:

• Read over these web pages including the FAQs
• Speak with one of our Time-of-Use Community Outreach Team members at a local malls or retailers. Click here for schedule.
  
  
• Send an email to: timeofuse@horizonutilities.com
• Call our Customer Care Centre at 905-522-9200 in Hamilton or 905-984-8961 in St. Catharines.

	Time-of-Use Prices Under Time-of-Use pricing, the cost of electricity will vary depending on when you use it. Rates will be different depending on the time of the day, day of the week and season of the year. Click here to learn more about Time-of-Use rate periods.
	How Much Will My Bill be Under Time-of-Use Rates? Click here to find out how much electricity your household uses during off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak time periods
	Shift to Save Eliminate or shift some of your electricity use during peak periods - and save.
	Reducing Energy Consumption to Save Learn how to reduce your "phantom load" and save
	Smoothing the Peaks Why reducing electricity consumption during peak periods is important for the provincial power system - and the environment.
	Time-of-Use FAQs Answers to some of your questions about smart meters and Time-of-Use rates

*Electricity prices change every six months in May and November. Up-to-date prices are posted on the Ontario Energy Board website at www.oeb.gov.on.ca.
**Note: Consumers who currently purchase their electricity on a contract through an energy retailer will continue to be charged according to the terms and prices stated in their contract.

Note: If you currently purchase electricity under a contract with a retailer, you will continue to follow the terms and price stated in your contract.