Residential and Small Business Rates
If you’re a residential or small business customer, you can choose to switch between Time-of-Use (TOU), Tiered and the Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) price plans.
To switch price plans, you must notify Burlington Hydro by completing and submitting an election form. There is no deadline and you can ask to switch at any time. If you want to stay with your current price plan no action is required. If you are unsure what price plan you are currently on, check the Electricity line of your bill. Most residential and small business customers in Ontario pay TOU prices.
More Information about Switching Price Plans
TIME-OF-USE PRICES - Summer Period: May 1, 2024
With the TOU price plan, there are three price periods: On-Peak, Mid-Peak and Off-Peak. On weekdays, the rate varies depending on the time of day. On weekends and statutory holidays, the off-peak rate applies. The periods change with the season to reflect changing usage patterns.
| Periods | Day of Week and Time | TOU Prices (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak | Weekdays 7 pm to 7 am, and all-day weekends and statutory holidays | 8.7 cents per kWh |
| Mid-Peak | Weekdays 7 am to 11 am, and 5 pm to 7 pm | 12.2 cents per kWh |
| On-Peak | Weekdays 11 am to 5 pm | 18.2 cents per kWh |
TIERED PRICES - Summer Period: May 1, 2024
With the Tiered price plan, you can use a certain amount of electricity each month at a lower price. Once that limit (called a threshold) is exceeded, a higher price applies. The threshold changes with the season to reflect changing usage patterns.
| Tiers | Thresholds | Tiered Prices (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Residential – first 600 kWh/month Non-residential – first 750 kWh/month |
10.3 cents per kWh |
| 2 | Residential – for electricity used above 600 kWh/month Non-residential – for electricity used above 750 kWh/month |
12.5 cents per kWh |
ULTRA-LOW OVERNIGHT
With the new ULO price plan, the price also depends on when you use electricity, and further encourages shifting high electricity usage activities to lower-demand periods overnight. There are four rate periods which stay the same throughout the year.
| Periods | Days and Times | ULO Prices (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Low Overnight | Everyday 11 pm to 7 am | 2.8 cents per kWh |
| Week-end Off-Peak | Weekends and Holidays 7 am to 11 pm | 8.7 cents per kWh |
| Mid-Peak | Weekdays 7 am to 4 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm | 12.2 cents per kWh |
| On-Peak | Weekdays 4 pm to 9 pm | 28.6 cents per kWh |
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REGULATORY
Burlington Hydro Distribution Rates
Burlington Hydro is responsible for delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity to homes, businesses and institutions in the City of Burlington. A distribution rate increase has been approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) effective May 1, 2023. The new rates result in an increase to the distribution portion of the bill of 4.01% or $1.17 and an increase to the total bill of 2.42% or $2.93 per month for a typical residential customer with monthly consumption of 750 kWh.
Many consumers are not aware that local distribution companies collect payment for the entire electricity bill and retain only the distribution portion, which is included in the Delivery line on the bill. Distribution accounts for approximately 26% of the typical residential customer's bill.
Before Burlington Hydro can make any changes to its rates it is required to seek approval from the OEB through a rate application process. The OEB reviews Burlington Hydro’s rate application independently in a public process and approves the rates Burlington Hydro can charge.