Welcome to the Alectra Utilities customer newsletter, your source for timely and helpful electricity news that matters to you. Stay informed with short articles about Alectra services, new developments, support programs, Time-of-Use prices, conservation and safety tips, and much more.
If the cost of energy-saving upgrades is out of reach, Ontario’s new AffordAbility Fund is here for you. Alectra Utilities is working with local community service organizations to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency with free energy-saving upgrades. To learn more, visit AffordAbilityFund.org.
Attention residential customers with ecobee thermostats: now you can join the Advantage Planet community for a chance to win great prizes like iPads, TVs and more! Advantage Planet is an easy way to be environmentally conscious and help reduce the demand on the electricity system on hot summer days. You’ll also have online access to control your smart thermostat remotely. It’s currently available to former peaksaver PLUS® customers and any customers with ecobee thermostats. Visit www.AdvantagePlanet.ca.
The costs of commercial refrigeration for a business can be significant. In most cases, using less energy is not an option. Switching to a more efficient system with up to $2,500 in free upgrades can improve maintenance and lower electricity costs. To see if you are eligible visit alectrautilities.com/save-energy-money.
Customers are reminded that On-peak and Mid-peak Time-of-Use time periods have changed to summer hours effective May 1, 2018.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has set new Time-of-Use electricity prices based on the current inflation rate (1.63%) as required by the Ontario Fair Hydro Plan Act, 2017. Since delivery charges have increased by approximately 1.7%, electricity prices were reduced marginally from the July 1, 2017 prices to ensure the impact to bills is held to the rate of inflation. These new prices are in effect from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019.
The OEB has also approved new distribution and transmission rates for Alectra Utilities as of May 1, 2018. For more information, please visit AlectraUtilities.com/Rates.
- Electricity bills will be lowered by 25 per cent on average for residential consumers
- Rate increases will be held to inflation for four years
- As many as half a million small businesses and farms will also benefit from this reduction
- Lower-income Ontarians and those living in eligible rural communities will receive even greater reductions, as much as a 40 to 50 per cent cut
The benefit will vary for individual consumers depending on electricity usage and service territory. These measures include the eight per cent rebate introduced in January 2017 and build on previous initiatives to deliver broad-based relief on all electricity bills. To find out more, visit Ontario.ca/FairHydroPlan.
- Don’t fly toys near power lines – keep kites, remote control helicopters, drones and other airborne toys well away.
- Electrical equipment is not safe for play. Don’t play on the ground-mounted green transformer boxes in yards or parks, and never climb utility poles.
- Check before tree climbing. Look carefully for hidden power lines covered by branches and leaves.
- If you see a downed power line, stay back at least 10 metres or 33 feet – about the length of a school bus – and call 9-1-1.
Have a safe and happy summer!
Questions about your bill? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page at www.alectrautilities.com/FAQs.
There’s help for lower-income households. Learn about the Ontario Electricity Support Program and apply today at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca.