Connected Summer 2011 ENG:Layout 1 6/15/11 12:16 PM Page 1 INSIDE: • Two More Hours for customers on Time-of-Use prices How will my smart meter and Time-of-Use prices affect my Cottage bill? First, once your meter is switched from manual to automated meter reading, instead of receiving three quarterly estimated bills with an annual “true up”, your bills will be based on your actual consumption for the billing period under normal conditions. So if you use your cottage in the summer months and don’t use it during the other months of the year, your fall bill will be higher and your three remaining bills will be lower. Second, once we have switched you to Time-of-Use (TOU) prices, you’ll have the benefit of lower off-peak electricity prices on weekends and holidays when many of our customers enjoy life at the cottage. Third, once you’re being billed on TOU prices, you’ll be able to log in to “My Account” at www.HydroOne.com/MyAccount and view your hourly electricity use. This is a good way to check on how much electricity you’re using at the cottage when you’re not there, and to take action to reduce this usage to help manage your costs. Visit www.HydroOne.com/TOU to learn more about how you can make TOU prices work for you. Why is my seasonal bill higher than expected? There may be a number of reasons why your bill may be higher than usual. Many of our seasonal customers have been switched to automated meter reading. As a result, your bills are now based on your actual usage for the billing period and you’ll no longer receive estimated bills under normal circumstances. As of May 1st, you’ll be paying more for electricity as the OEB has raised Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Time-of-Use and Tiered prices. Also, in order to maintain a safe and reliable distribution system we raised delivery rates as of January 1, 2011. For more information on high bills and ways to save, go to www.HydroOne.com/HighBill or call us. If you would prefer more balanced bill payments, you may want to enrol in our Budget Billing Plan. As payments are spread out over the year, being on the plan is a good way to moderate any payment fluctuations. The plan is especially helpful for our seasonal customers who only use their cottage during the summer months, as their fall bill will be higher than their other bills. Customers who use most of their electricity in the winter months will also benefit from the plan. To enrol go to www.HydroOne.com/MyAccount or call us. Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET For power outages and emergencies 1-800-434-1235 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-888-625-4401 web: www.HydroOne.com Partners in Powerful Communities Hydro One Networks Inc. PO Box 5700, Markham, ON L3R 1C8 © Copyright of Hydro One Networks Inc., 2011 Page 4 • Staying Connected • Summer 2011 • saveONenergy Coupons • No-cost cooling tips • Register for My Account • Don’t need your return envelope? me r Su m • Our readers write 201 1 What’s n ew from Hyd r o O n e N e t w o r k s I n c. Two More Hours for customers on Time-of-Use prices Don’t forget you have two more off-peak hours each weekday evening, making it easier to shift your electricity use to lowerpriced times of the day. Off-peak hours now start at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. on weekday evenings. Power lines are very much a part of the landscape, so much so that it's easy to forget they're there. Just a moment of inattention can have tragic consequences. Machinery, tools and leisure equipment do not actually have to touch power lines for fatal results – power lines are dangerous if you or your equipment moves too close to them. Customer Communications Centre 1-888-664-9376 fax: mail: • saveONenergy Heating & Cooling Incentive 5.9¢ Off-peak 8.9¢ Mid-peak 10.7¢ On-peak Summer Weekdays (May 1 - October 31) Look Up, Look Out how to reach us call: • Look Up, Look Out 06/11 • What is the risk – aluminum ladders, or ladders with metallic parts, will act as conductors of electricity if they are brought too close to or contact overhead power lines. • How to avoid the risk – Look Up! Always be aware of overhead power lines when using ladders around the house. Carry ladders horizontally when moving them from point A to point B – and look up before raising. Stay safe and always Look Up, Look Out before you start work or any recreational pursuit. It could save your life. For more information, go to www.powerlinesafety.info. Staying Connected • Summer 2011 • Page 1 Connected Summer 2011 ENG:Layout 1 6/10/11 10:47 AM Page 2 saveONenergy Heating & Cooling Incentive With as much as 60% of your yearly electricity costs going toward heating and cooling your home, it makes sense to look for ways to reduce your usage. With the saveONenergy Heating & Cooling Incentive you can receive up to $650 by replacing your old system with an energy-efficient central heating and cooling system. • Use fans to make your home feel more comfortable. • Use shades, awnings or sunscreens on windows to block summer light. • Open windows in the morning to let the cool air in and close them during the day. Your home will retain much of the cool air. buying a cooling system, go to www.HydroOne.com/heatingandcooling or call us. • Lights, appliances and home electronics use a lot of power and give off heat. During the summer, it’s more important than ever to turn them off when you aren’t using them. Use a power bar for computers and televisions. • For the average Ontario home, three well-placed trees can cut air conditioning needs by 40 per cent. Plant trees to keep the sun out and your home cool. If you need to run your air conditioner, set it a few degrees higher than you normally would and turn it off when no one is home. Making wise use of your air conditioner will have the biggest impact on your summer energy bill. saveONenergy Coupons saveONenergy coupons can help you save money throughout the year when you purchase and install energy-efficient products for your home at participating retailers, such as Canadian Tire, Sears, Home Hardware, Home Depot, Walmart, and RONA to name a few. tips As temperatures rise in the summer months, many of us will want to make our homes comfortable by turning on the air conditioner. Ontario has just one peak period in the summer – weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – during which many of us turn on our air conditioners to cool the hotter daytime temperatures. Before thinking of air conditioning, try these passive cooling approaches. Incentives are available for residents in Ontario who have an existing central air conditioner and replace it with the purchase and installation of an Energy Star qualified system through a participating contractor. These trained contractors will help you choose the energy-efficient system that’s best for your home and meets your specific needs. Installation must be complete by December 31, 2011. To learn more such as finding a participating contractor or our checklist on No-cost cooling The coupons provide instant discounts on a wide range of lighting products, lighting controls, power bars, ceiling fans, outdoor clotheslines and umbrella stands, outdoor timers and more. To download the coupons or find the complete list of participating retailers, go to www.HydroOne.com/coupons. For more tips on energy efficiency, visit www.HydroOne.com/SaveEnergy. Register for My Account MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE – 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK – Register to: • View your electricity use (Time-of-Use customers only) • Get your current balance or payment history • Sign up for Pre-Authorized Payment • Open and close an account Save throughout 2011 on energy-efficient products for your home. See inside for valuable coupons. Page 2 • Staying Connected • Summer 2011 • Make service requests like tree trimming, temporarily disconnecting your power or locating and marking underground cables Visit us online at www.HydroOne.com/MyAccount to register today. You’ll need a copy of your electricity bill to get started. Don’t need your return envelope? Call us and we’ll be happy to stop sending you a return envelope with your bill. Or even better, why not sign up for paperless billing today? Go to www.canadapost.ca/hydroone to register. Staying Connected • Summer 2011 • Page 3
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