Alectra utilities

As we wrap up 2023, we’d like to wish all our customers a happy holiday season. Check out some of our recent activities supporting local organizations via our AlectraCARES Community Support Program below. Thank you for your community involvement over the past year! Learn more about our program at: Alectra.com/AlectraCARES

• Markham Moon Festival
• Wesley’s Hamilton Holiday Program
• Barrie Festival of Trees
• Brampton Winter Lights Festival
• Aurora Santa Under the Stars Parade
• Niagara Health Foundation Celebration of Light

Have your say: What causes and charities should Alectra support? Complete our new survey at: AlectraUtilities.com/AlectraCaresSurvey

The winter TOU hours and winter Tier threshold of 1,000 kWh for residential customers are in effect from November 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. The ULO hours remain consistent year-round. The OEB raised prices province-wide, but the Ontario Electricity Rebate also increased to 19.3 per cent. 

Visit AlectraUtilities.com/Rates for current electricity prices in your area.

Almost one in six Ontario households struggle with food insecurity. Local food banks, food pantries, and meal and snack programs in our communities ensure that vulnerable children, seniors, and families can access nutritious food. Each year, Alectra invests more than $100,000 in food programs across our service territory through the AlectraCARES Community Support Program.

This holiday season, join us in giving back to those who need it most by donating to a local food bank or supporting a holiday food drive in your community. For links to food banks in your neighbourhood, visit: Alectra.com/Community-Successes

The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) has changed for 2022. Eligible customers may now apply for and receive LEAP more than once per year. The maximum grant amount has been increased to $1,000 ($1,200 for electrically heated homes) for energy customers who need it most. A local community support agency will assess if you qualify based on how many people live in the home and your combined household income.

To contact the agency in your area, visit AlectraUtilities.com/Help or call us at 1-833-253-2872 for more information.

The system-wide supply mix is the combination of power sources that are used to generate the electricity consumed in Ontario. The table below discloses the system-wide electricity supply mix data for 2021, which was published by the Ontario Energy Board on September 12, 2022.

* Includes Lennox Generating Station and dual fuel (natural gas/bioenergy) consistent with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

** IESO’s embedded generation data set combines biomass and gas.

*** Non-Contracted represents a variety of fuel types that the IESO is unable to categorize due to a lack of information from Local Distribution Companies (LDCs).

Note: Figures may not add to 100% due to rounding. Figures do not account for the sale and retirement of Clean Energy Credits (CECs).

If you’re thinking about switching from Time-of-Use (TOU) to Tiered pricing, pay close attention to how much electricity you use in a month and when you use it.

TOU: The price depends on when you use electricity during the day and night. You can help manage your electricity costs by shifting your usage to lower off-peak price periods when possible.

Tiered: The price depends on how much electricity you use in a month. You can use a certain amount of electricity per month at a lower price, and once you exceed that limit, a higher price applies.

Use the electricity information from your bill, or log in to My Account and go to Meter Data to see your electricity usage patterns. Learn more about the tools available to compare your bill with TOU and Tiered prices at: AlectraUtilities.com/CustomerChoice

Note: If you want to continue with your current price plan, no action is required.

If the cost of energy-saving upgrades seems out of reach, Ontario’s new AffordAbility Fund™ can help. We are working with community service organizations to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency. You may qualify for a free in-home energy audit and free energy-saving upgrades such as LED bulbs, weatherstripping, insulation, and ENERGY STAR® certified appliances. Whether you rent or own, live in a house or an apartment, you are eligible. Visit AffordAbilityFund.org to find out what you qualify for and how to apply.

If you’re behind on your electricity bill and face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for financial help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program. LEAP offers one-time emergency assistance up to $500 to eligible households. The program is delivered within the Alectra Utilities service territory through social service agencies. The agency will decide if you qualify based on how many people live in the house and your combined household income. To be connected with the correct agency in your area, please contact Customer Service at 1-833-253-2872.

We would like to remind you that On-peak and Mid-peak Time-of-Use time periods have changed to winter hours effective November 1, 2018.

On May 1, 2018, the Ontario Energy Board set new Time-of-Use electricity prices based on the current inflation rate as required by the Ontario Fair Hydro Plan Act, 2017. These prices will continue to be in effect until April 30, 2019.

For more information, please visit AlectraUtilities.com/Rates.

The system-wide supply mix is the combination of power sources that are used to generate the electricity consumed in Ontario. The table on the right discloses the system-wide electricity supply mix data for 2017, which was published by the Ontario Energy Board on October 5, 2018.

*Includes both transmission and distribution-connected/embedded generation (Ontario Ministry of Energy)

**Includes duel-fuelled facilities that are predominantly natural gas (e.g. Lennox Generating Station)

Note: Figures may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Starting November 1, 2019, the Government of Ontario introduced the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER), providing bill relief to residential and small business customers. The subsidies previously built into electricity prices and the eight per cent provincial rebate have been replaced with the OER. Your bill now shows the true cost of electricity, and the OER is applied to the pre-HST bill amount. If you receive support through more than one provincial program (e.g. Ontario Electricity Support Program), you will also see a summary line for the total Ontario support provided on your bill. Learn more at OEB.ca or call 1-877-632-2727.

Recently, you may have noticed that you’re seeing less of the former utilities’ logos (Brampton Hydro, Enersource, Horizon Utilities, PowerStream) on your bills, letters, notices, email, and My Account. That’s because we’re continuing to make changes to serve you better. You can now select Alectra Utilities as the payee when setting up your online banking payments. The same is true if you’re applying or reapplying for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). As always, our Customer Service team is here to help with any questions you may have – contact us at 1-833-253-2872.

We would like to remind you that on-peak and mid-peak time-of-use time periods have changed to winter hours, which are in effect from November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020.

With changes in legislation, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) increased time-of-use electricity prices to once again closely reflect the forecast cost of electricity supply. The new Ontario Electricity Rebate largely offsets the price changes on the Electricity line of your bill. As a result, the average residential bill will rise in line with the rate of inflation (1.8%). For more information, please visit OEB.ca.

We are focused on delivering relief programs to help ease the financial burdens that families and businesses are facing. The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and CEAP for Small Business provide one-time payments to residential and business customers who have had any electricity bill debt since March 17, 2020. Please note that the eligibility requirements have been relaxed; even if your previous application was rejected, you may now be eligible.

Visit AlectraUtilities.com/Payment-Assistance to access the CEAP applications and all other assistance programs to help you manage your electricity bills.

Looking for a form? Our list of forms at AlectraUtilities.com/Find-Form contains all the forms you need to request services. Fill out an online moving form to start, stop or transfer your electricity service. Set up pre-authorized payments and never miss a due date. Register for an equal payment plan to make budgeting easier. All you need is Internet access, a mobile device or computer, and your 10-digit Alectra Utilities account number. We can also mail, email or fax a form to you by contacting Customer Service at 1-833-ALECTRA.

If you’re a residential or small business customer who pays Time-of-Use (TOU) electricity prices, you can now choose to switch to Tiered prices anytime.

TOU: The price depends on when you use electricity. You can help manage your electricity costs by shifting your usage to lower price periods when possible.

Tiered: With Tiered pricing, you can use a certain amount of electricity each month at a lower price. Once that limit is exceeded, a higher price applies.

If you want to continue paying TOU prices, no action is required. To help customers who may be considering a switch from TOU to Tiered pricing, the Ontario Energy Board has a new bill calculator at oeb.ca/calculator.

Find more information on Time-of-Use Pricing or Tiered Pricing to help you make an informed choice.

Visit AlectraUtilities.com/CustomerChoice to learn more about your pricing options and find answers to frequently asked questions.