Time of Use Periods and Pricing
Phase-in of Time-of-Use Electricity Prices Underway for Burlington Hydro Customers
In a move mandated by the Province of Ontario and the Ontario Energy Board, every Burlington Hydro residential and small commercial customer will have been switched to Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing by September 2012. Burlington’s roll out of TOU began in January 2012.
The switch to the new approach to electricity costs means all Burlington households and most institutions and businesses will be charged different rates, depending on the day of week , time of day and the season.
Winter TOU periods and prices in effect until April 30th, are as follows:
- Off-Peak - 6.2 cents per kWh – Weekdays 7 pm to 7 am, and all-day on Weekends and Statutory Holidays
- Mid-Peak - 9.2 cents per kWh – Weekdays 11 am to 5 pm
- On-Peak – 10.8 cents per kWh –Weekdays 7 am to 11 am & 5 pm to 7 pm
May 1st to October 31st, new TOU periods come into effect.
** NOTE: For electricity customers on a fixed-term contract with an electricity retailer, TOU prices will not apply.
The timing of the migration to TOU, which for some Burlington Hydro customers started in January 2012, was conveyed through billing inserts issued to all customers in the Fall. The specific TOU start dates vary for customers depending on their billing cycle.
The phased-in approach to the billing ensures customers will not be billed based on both the old and new pricing on the same electricity bill to avoid confusion.
TOU electricity pricing, applicable province-wide, is a part of the Ontario government’s plan to create a culture of energy conservation. TOU prices are based on which times of day, days of the week and the season that experience the highest and lowest electricity demands. When demand and production costs are at their highest, the prices will be higher; when costs go down, so will the prices. TOU prices are set by the Ontario Energy Board and are adjusted every six months.
Familiarize yourself with the three Time of Use Pricing Periods: Off-peak, Mid-Peak and On-Peak.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB), which sets Burlington Hydro prices for electricity under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP), has developed the daily and seasonal TOU periods, now coming in to effect in Burlington. Please be aware that these prices and periods change bi-annually.
With TOU pricing electricity prices vary, based on when it is used. That includes by time of day, by day of week (weekdays versus weekends), and by season (winter or summer).
TOU prices provide you with a new way to manage your electricity costs, reduce strain on the electricity system and help the environment.
