Smart meters are installed in many homes in the province, and now Hydro One has started to roll out the “Time of Use” rate changes.
It means you’ll pay more during peak hydro demand periods, and less during low demand for Hydro.
The new rates took effect June 15th.
Residents in Owen Sound and Wiarton have received notices about the switch to time of use this month.
By early fall, Kincardine, Sauble Beach, and Port Elgin will also be switching to the new rate system.
Hydro One Communications Specialist, Dave Watts claims for many customers the rate change will have little impact on your monthly Hydro bill.
Watts says with the 9.9 cents a kilowatt hour charge during peak hours, 8.0 in mid-peak and 5.3 cents in off-peak hours — the cost for running many appliances will be about the same.
However, he warns that running air conditioners all day long in the summer could be expensive.
Watts recommends you put a timer on your air conditioner so it isn’t on when no one is home, and perhaps raise the temperature a bit to save some cash.
Other suggestions to save money include running your dishwasher or washing machine in the evening or on weekends when rates are lower.
Hydro One says by doing the wash on weekends you can save 74 dollars a year, and by running the dishwasher in the evening you save 26 dollars.
