From the Editor:
As many of you may be aware as of May 2011 our esteemed Ontario Energy Board directs us towards the most inexpensive time to do our household chores.
The reason behind this decision (I think) is to stop us from using too much energy during peak times.
Now I get that energy is an enviromental and financial issue, I am of the “green” mind and so applaud any thoughts, decisions and ideas that relate to finding greener ways to use and produce the energy we need.
However, I fail to see how the “Smart Meter” is going to assists us. It is big business, retail companies, auto and other manufactoring companies that use the bulk of our energy, this is only logical as it likely takes more energy to make a car or run a big office building then it does for me or you to bake and do our household chores.
Putting in the smart meters, means that our seniors, shift workers, homemakers, people who work from home and the unemployed are going to be the ones paying the higher “on peak” prices. Cooking the family meal will also affect us, as most of us, including those who work outside of the home usually prepare the evening meal anywhere from 5pm to 7pm.
Oh yes, we will all be able to do our chores on the weekend without being penalized as weekends and holidays are under the off-peak hours… Although I am sure most of us have other things to do during the weekend then cook, clean and do laundry, so I am sure how this is supposed to help any of us?
I am upset with this new system, and some may say, I get upset over the silliest of things, and that perhaps I should read the book “don’t sweat the small stuff” ☺ But to be honest it’s the principle of the thing that gets my goat, I mean why should I (or anyone else in my position) be penalized for doing my JOB during morning/day time hours… isn’t that a kind of discrimination??
Anyway, just in case there are those of you out there who aren’t aware of the “Smart Meter” situation, here is the breakdown of the off-peak, on peak and mid-peak pricing…. and if you are like me and are fed up with governments and “higher-ups” making decisions that affect our daily life, then don’t be shy send in your thoughts to the email address at the end of this post.☺
Times and Rates from May to October: (Summer) Weekends and holidays are priced as of-peak hours the whole year.
Off- Peak time: 7 pm to 7 am: (yes folks all night long)
Off- Peak pricing: 5.9 cents KWH (Kilo Watt Hour)
Mid-Peak time: 7:01 am to 11am and 5:01 pm to 7 pm
Mid-Peak pricing: 8.9 cents KWH (Kilo Watt Hour)
On-Peak Hours: 11:01 am to 5pm
On-Peak pricing: 10:7 cents KWH (Kilo Watt Hour)
Times from November 1 to April 30 (Winter) Rates are the same as summer.
Off Peak Hours: 7pm to 7am
Mid Peak Hours: 11:01 to 5pm (at least the winter months allows us to do our chores and pay less than during the same hours then summer. ☺
On-Peak Hours: 7:01 am to 11am and 5pm to 7pm , (which means making dinner is going to cost more during the winter then it does during the summer).
If you have a contract with an electricity retailer TOU doesn’t apply to you and there won’t be any changes to your account.
Our Ontario government is attempting to ease our financial burdens regarding energy expenses, by giving each of us 10% off our electric bill. The reason they say is because of their long-term plan to move the province of Ontario towards clean sources of power, while shutting down coal plants, (which pollute our air). See note from ontario.ca/energy plan.
To help you with the increased costs of these essential investments (renewable energy industries, solar, wind and hydroelectric) the Ontario Government has taken 10% off your electricity bill, including electricity costs, regulatory charges, the debt retirement charge and taxes.”
This will be in effect for the next 5 years.
I am totally confused with this but hey, I will take the 10% although I would rather it went towards the debt retirement charge instead. (I still have an issue with that and don’t understand why I am paying off the debt of someone else?)
Send your questions and comments regarding the smart meter issue to: consumerrelations@ontarioenergyboard.ca
Regarding the 10% clean energy benefit contact: 1-888-668-4636 or go to the Ontario.ca website:
And as always I welcome your comments on any of our posts…you can comment by clicking on the comment button at the top or bottom of this post or by sending us an email. ☺
Serenity's Gift Cove (sgc) 